Nancy Guthrie ransom notes prompt forensic split on writers

Two ransom notes linked to the kidnapping of Arizona mother Nancy Guthrie have been released by the Pima County Sheriff’s Office. The first, dated 2 February, demanded $4 million in bitcoin and addressed “Hello Savannah, we have your mother.” The second, issued four days later, claimed Nancy had died shortly after being taken and was “buried in nature.”

Forensic psychologist Gary Brucato says the stark differences in tone, structure and emotional content suggest the notes were authored by different individuals, possibly even a woman familiar with the Guthrie family. Sheriff Chris Nanos, who earlier said he had no body or burial site, now faces scrutiny as the notes appear to contradict his earlier statements. Investigators are urging the public to help identify the writers, treating the linguistic clues as a new line of evidence in the ongoing case.