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Sheriff Chris Nanos explains release of Nancy Guthrie ransom notes
Nancy Guthrie, an 84‑year‑old Arizona resident and mother of “Today” co‑anchor Savannah Guthrie, was reported missing from her Tucson home on 1 February 2026. Two ransom letters were sent to local TV station KOLD‑13 on 2 February and 6 February. The first demanded a Bitcoin payment of $4 million (later raised to $6 million), stating the victim was “safe but scared” and would be held for up to seven days. The second claimed Guthrie had died of a heart‑related issue and was “buried in nature.”
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos released the full texts of both notes on 31 July 2026, marking the six‑month anniversary of the disappearance. He said the notes were already circulating in the media and that publishing the exact wording could “jog” someone’s memory and provide accurate information to the public. Nanos emphasized that the investigation remains active, with thousands of tips being reviewed and the FBI assisting the search.
The case has drawn national attention, prompting public pleas from Savannah Guthrie, a $1 million reward offer, and commentary from former President Donald Trump. A Wall Street Journal report later alleged procedural errors by the Pima County Sheriff’s Department, including ignored dried blood at the scene and a delayed deployment of a search‑and‑rescue plane after a senior pilot was demoted.
Entities
Chris Nanos · KOLD‑13 · KOLD‑13 (Arizona TV station) · KOLD‑13 TV · Nancy Guthrie · Pima County Sheriff's Department · Pima County Sheriff's Office · Savannah Guthrie · Tucson, Arizona
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 3 SOURCES] Sheriff Chris Nanos released the full ransom notes publicly on July 31, 2026, explaining the release was meant to “jog” someone’s memory. timesng.com · ca.news.yahoo.com · www.themirror.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] No arrests have been made and the case remains unsolved six months after the kidnapping. pagesix.com · timesng.com
- [● 7 SOURCES] Two ransom notes were sent to KOLD‑TV on February 2 and February 6, 2026. timesng.com · 100percentfedup.com · ca.news.yahoo.com · www.themirror.com · pagesix.com · +2 more
- [● 7 SOURCES] Nancy Guthrie, 84, was abducted from her Tucson, Arizona home on February 1, 2026. pagesix.com · timesng.com · 100percentfedup.com · www.hellomagazine.com · www.uol.com.br · +2 more
- [● 5 SOURCES] The first note demanded $4 million in Bitcoin (later $6 million), said the victim was “safe but scared,” and would be held for a maximum of seven days. timesng.com · 100percentfedup.com · www.themirror.com · pagesix.com · www.hellomagazine.com
- [● 6 SOURCES] The second note claimed Nancy Guthrie had died of a heart‑related issue and was “buried in nature.” timesng.com · 100percentfedup.com · www.themirror.com · pagesix.com · www.hellomagazine.com · +1 more
- [● 4 SOURCES] Pima County Sheriff's Department allegedly ignored dried blood on the front porch and failed to seal off the property, allowing media and delivery personnel onto the scene. rivercool.co.uk · www.hollywoodreporter.com · variety.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] Sheriff Chris Nanos released the full texts of the two ransom notes to the public on 31 July 2026. pagesix.com · timesng.com · www.hellomagazine.com · www.themirror.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] Savannah Guthrie publicly pleaded for information on social media after the ransom notes were released. pagesix.com · timesng.com · www.hellomagazine.com · www.themirror.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] A senior pilot in the sheriff’s department was demoted days before the kidnapping, causing a delay in deploying a search‑and‑rescue plane. rivercool.co.uk · variety.com · www.hollywoodreporter.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Nancy Guthrie, 84, was abducted from her Tucson, Arizona home on 1 February 2026. pagesix.com · timesng.com · www.hellomagazine.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos released the full texts of both ransom notes to the public on July 31, 2026. pagesix.com · timesng.com · wpgtalkradio.com · www.themirror.com