Abductors of Nancy Guthrie—the 84-year-old mother of NBC “Today” co-anchor Savannah Guthrie—have sent a new message to the family claiming she is now dead. According to the note, Guthrie died shortly after her abduction on January 31, unintentionally and without the perpetrators’ intent to kill her. The abductors stated she passed away accidentally and that her body has since been buried in nature.
Earlier Demands and Delayed Reporting
Prior to this update, the abductors had already sent an initial message demanding ransom payments in bitcoin. A second communication followed on February 6, reiterating the claim of her death and offering an apology to the family. CNN and a local Tucson, Arizona TV station learned about both messages in February but agreed—with input from law enforcement and the family—to withhold public reporting. The delay was intended to help verify the authenticity of any future communications from the abductors.
Conflicting Reports Emerge
However, on Monday, TMZ began publishing reports citing emails from an individual claiming insider knowledge of the abductors and Nancy Guthrie’s whereabouts. That source denied her death, describing her as “scared but okay” and requesting approximately $100,000 for information. The FBI reportedly dismissed the claim, citing possession of the earlier letter stating she had died and been buried.
Family Responds Publicly
On February 7, the Guthrie family released a video statement saying: “We received your message—and we understand.”