Second Note in Nancy Guthrie Disappearance Claimed She Had Died, Sources Say

A disturbing new detail has emerged in the ongoing investigation into the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of NBC "Today" show anchor Savannah Guthrie. A second note connected to the case, sent to media outlets in February, reportedly stated that Guthrie had died, according to multiple law enforcement sources.

What the Second Note Said

A note sent to media outlets in February connected to the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie said she had died, according to multiple law enforcement sources briefed on the investigation. According to those sources, the note stated Nancy Guthrie was dead — and that the senders did not mean to kill her, but that she died shortly after the kidnapping. The second note contained no apology or request for payment for the release of her body, three people familiar with the matter told NBC News, and it differed "in almost every way" from the first note.

According to one outlet's sourcing, the note included specific and chilling language. A source told NewsNation's Brian Entin that the note said Guthrie had died and was "buried with nature now," adding that the message "indicated Nancy's death was not intentional". CBS News reported that investigators believe the first two ransom notes sent in the week following Guthrie's disappearance came from the same person or group, as they were written in the "same language and style" and originated from the same computer IP address.

A Very Different First Note

The two notes reportedly stood in sharp contrast to one another. The first note said Guthrie was safe and requested cryptocurrency in exchange for her release, according to NBC News reporting. After receiving the second note, Savannah Guthrie posted an Instagram statement, saying, "We received your message and we understand. We beg you now to return our mother to us... This is very valuable to us, and we will pay".

Investigators who examined both notes sent to media outlets believe they are potentially credible. The notes had been sent to KOLD news director Jessica Bobula in Tucson, Arizona, and details of the second note's contents were not made public until this week.

A Conflicting Account From TMZ

Not every outlet that received communications agrees on what was actually said. TMZ founder Harvey Levin said claims that he received a ransom note apologizing to the family for Guthrie's kidnapping and death were false, stating that the note TMZ received said Guthrie was "scared but OK" and made no mention of her death or an apology. Levin did note TMZ was separately alerted to Guthrie's possible death through email messages from someone claiming to know her whereabouts — but that person was seeking roughly $100,000 in exchange for the information, and the FBI never paid.

The Case So Far

Guthrie was last seen on the evening of January 31 in the Catalina Foothills neighborhood near her Tucson home, and was reported missing by her family on February 1. Images from her doorbell camera showing a masked man at her house were released early in the investigation, but her whereabouts remain unknown and no suspect has been identified. Savannah Guthrie's family has offered a reward of up to $1 million, payable only for the recovery of Nancy Guthrie.

Search efforts have continued for months without a confirmed resolution. Earlier in June, a volunteer search group in Mexico called Buscando Corazones Nogales said it had received a tip that Guthrie was buried in an unmarked grave near the border, and conducted several searches that came up empty. Separately, on May 9, the Tucson Police Department confirmed a human bone had been found seven miles from her residence, though officials said the finding was "not criminal in nature" and was related to a "prehistoric anthropological investigation".

Savannah Guthrie's Public Pleas

Throughout the ordeal, Savannah Guthrie has spoken publicly about the toll the uncertainty has taken on her family. In her first interview since the disappearance, she told former co-host Hoda Kotb, "Honestly, we don't know anything," adding that her family "cannot be at peace" without answers and pleading for anyone with information to come forward. "Someone can do the right thing, and it is never too late to do the right thing," she said.

For continued, verified updates on the ongoing investigation, the FBI's official missing persons resources remain the most authoritative source for tips and case developments. Anyone with information is asked to contact 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324).

What Happens Next

With the case still officially active and no suspect named despite months of searches, DNA analysis, and multiple alleged ransom communications, investigators continue working to verify the authenticity of both notes and determine Guthrie's actual fate. Until a body is recovered or a suspect is identified, the Guthrie family says they remain committed to seeking answers, no matter how long it takes.