A friend of missing Arizona woman Nancy Guthrie says the case now feels "all but completely dead," as investigators work through new tips tied to two purported ransom notes the Pima County Sheriff's Office has now released in full.
The notes were reportedly sent on Feb. 2 and Feb. 6, just days after Guthrie, 84, went missing from her Tucson home. The first, addressed to her daughter, "Today" co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, claimed Nancy had been taken for ransom and was "safe but scared," describing details investigators haven't publicly confirmed, including a white smartwatch found near her bed and a damaged floodlight in the backyard. The second note presented a far darker account, claiming Nancy died shortly after being taken: "We did not fully grasp the seriousness of her physical condition. We never intended to hurt her, that was not our intention. We believe it was heart-related."
Investigators have not confirmed either message is authentic, and the claims inside them remain unverified. Still, the friend, who knew Guthrie personally, told reporters the prolonged uncertainty had become almost unbearable to watch play out, saying they had "lost almost all hope" of a positive outcome.
Guthrie was reported missing on Feb. 1 after she failed to log into a virtual church gathering with friends the next morning - one of the first signs something was wrong. Her family and community have continued to hold onto prayer throughout the six-month search, even as leads like this latest one raise more questions than answers.
No arrests have been made in the case.
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