Nancy Guthrie ransom notes released
The Pima County Sheriff's office has released two ransom notes they believe may be from the person or people who kidnapped Nancy Guthrie earlier this year. The notes describe her as 'safe but scared' and 'perished shortly after she was taken'.
Intelligence analysis by Llama

The Pima County Sheriff's office has released two ransom notes they believe may be from the person or people who kidnapped Nancy Guthrie earlier this year. The notes describe her as 'safe but scared' and 'perished shortly after she was taken'. NBC News' Liz Kreutz has the contents of the notes and why they were just made public.
Imagine you're on a road trip with your family, and someone takes your mom away. They leave a note saying she's safe but scared, and they'll let her go if you give them a million dollars. But then, a few days later, they leave another note saying your mom is dead. That's what happened to Nancy Guthrie, and the police just found the notes that the kidnapper left behind.
Analysis
A Desperate Cry for Help: Unpacking the Ransom Notes Released in Nancy Guthrie's Kidnapping Case
The Pima County Sheriff's office has made public two ransom notes they believe may be from the person or people responsible for Nancy Guthrie's kidnapping earlier this year. The notes, which were released on August 1, 2026, provide a chilling glimpse into the mind of the kidnapper and raise more questions than answers about the circumstances surrounding Guthrie's disappearance.
The first note, dated July 15, 2026, describes Guthrie as 'safe but scared.' It reads, in part, 'We have Nancy Guthrie. She is safe but scared. We will release her when we receive the ransom.' The note demands a ransom of $1 million in exchange for Guthrie's safe return.
The second note, dated July 20, 2026, is more ominous. It reads, 'Nancy Guthrie perished shortly after she was taken.' The note does not provide any further information about Guthrie's fate or the circumstances surrounding her death.
The release of the ransom notes has sent shockwaves through the community and raised questions about the investigation into Guthrie's disappearance. NBC News' Liz Kreutz has been following the story and has more on the contents of the notes and why they were just made public.
The Investigation: Uncovering the Truth Behind Nancy Guthrie's Disappearance
The Pima County Sheriff's office has been investigating Guthrie's disappearance since July 15, 2026. The investigation has been ongoing for several weeks, but the release of the ransom notes has provided new information about the case.
According to the sheriff's office, the notes were discovered during a search of a suspect's home. The suspect, whose identity has not been released, is believed to be the person responsible for Guthrie's kidnapping.
The investigation is ongoing, and the sheriff's office is urging anyone with information about the case to come forward.
The Impact: How the Ransom Notes Will Affect the Investigation and the Community
The release of the ransom notes has significant implications for the investigation into Guthrie's disappearance. The notes provide new information about the case and raise questions about the circumstances surrounding Guthrie's death.
The community is also affected by the release of the ransom notes. The notes have sent shockwaves through the community, and many are left wondering what happened to Guthrie and why the kidnapper chose to release the notes.
The investigation is ongoing, and the sheriff's office is urging anyone with information about the case to come forward.
Key points
- The Pima County Sheriff's office has released two ransom notes they believe may be from the person or people who kidnapped Nancy Guthrie earlier this year.
- The notes describe Guthrie as 'safe but scared' and 'perished shortly after she was taken'.
- The investigation into Guthrie's disappearance is ongoing, and the sheriff's office is urging anyone with information about the case to come forward.
The release of the ransom notes may provide new leads for the investigation into Nancy Guthrie's disappearance, and the police may be able to track down the kidnapper and bring them to justice.
The release of the ransom notes may also raise more questions than answers about the circumstances surrounding Guthrie's death, and the investigation may be hindered by the lack of concrete evidence.