Pima County officials are investigating a possible new ransom note related to the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, who vanished from her Catalina Foothills home in Tucson, Arizona, nearly eight months ago. Guthrie, 84, the mother of television host Savannah Guthrie, was last seen on January 31 and reported missing the following day. Authorities have consistently stated their belief that she was kidnapped or otherwise taken against her will.
Details regarding the latest reported ransom note are extremely limited, Pima County officials recently confirmed. It is not clear where the note was found or to whom it was sent. Investigators are currently working to determine the note's credibility and are also examining social media comments related to the note, according to Pima County officials.
This is not the first time ransom demands have surfaced in the ongoing investigation. The Pima County Sheriff’s Department previously made two ransom notes public. Officials have indicated that they have received several such communications since Guthrie’s disappearance, distinguishing between those they believe to be legitimate and those that are not. The FBI, in a statement, has clarified that "some have been deemed to be extortion attempts without legitimacy." Other ransom demands, the FBI noted, "may potentially be legitimate and are still being investigated as such."
In a related development this past August, 42-year-old Derrick Callella received a sentence of 10 years of probation for sending fake ransom notes to Nancy Guthrie’s family in the days immediately following her disappearance. Callella pleaded guilty to two counts of harassment using a telecommunication device, KOLD reported at the time of his sentencing.
The Guthrie family has publicly offered a reward of $1 million for information that leads to the recovery of Nancy Guthrie. Additionally, the FBI is offering a separate reward of $100,000 for relevant information. The investigation into Nancy Guthrie's disappearance remains active as authorities continue to seek leads and assess the legitimacy of all information received. Anyone with details pertinent to the case is encouraged to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov. Callers also have the option to contact 88-CRIME to remain anonymous.
