A forensic psychologist says the ransom notes tied to Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance do not appear to be “legit” and has outlined why he believes the case may point to something else.
Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of NBC News journalist and Today co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, was allegedly taken from her home in Tucson, Arizona, on January 31. More than six months later, the investigation remains active.
One note, sent the day after Nancy vanished, demanded $4 million USD in bitcoin in exchange for her safe return. It warned, “If payment is not received by the last deadline on Monday the 9th at 5PM, she will be killed.” The same message also said, “Your mother is aware of this and her life is in your hands. It is in the best interest of everyone to have this completed as soon as possible. You will not be able to contact me from here on out, there will be no negotiation. Do not play games, law enforcement will not be able to help you.”
A second message claimed Nancy died soon after she was taken, and investigators have said the writing style could be recognizable to someone in the public.
Forensic psychologist Dr. Kris Mohandie said releasing the notes was the right move because it could prompt fresh leads. At the same time, he expressed strong doubts about the messages, telling Fox News Digital, “I don’t think the ransom note is legit, and I don’t think that that letter days later is legitimate — but I think it’s appropriate for law enforcement to investigate it just in case it might be.”
He said the references to Bitcoin, email communication and the unusual phrasing of “$4 million USD” suggest the writer may be comfortable with technology. In his view, those details could still help detectives identify the author even if the messages turn out to be a hoax.
Mohandie also said, “I certainly question the legitimacy of the so-called ransom note in which the individual is sending it to a news outlet, saying this will be a ransom, so on and so forth, talks about “we” and then breaks into “I” in terms of pronouns. There are a lot of things wrong with that ransom note, and it raised a lot of questions for me of veracity.”
He further pointed to the use of “perished” in the second note, questioning why the writer chose that word instead of a more common alternative.
Mohandie added, “I understand why law enforcement needs to investigate these as potential leads, and it is a strategy that has worked. You look at Ted Kaczynski and putting that out there on the Unabomber case is what led to it being resolved. So they need to put that out there. Maybe somebody does recognize something unique in these writings.”
As authorities continue reviewing the letters, Mohandie said the surveillance video released by investigators remains the most important piece of publicly known evidence. He said it looks more like a burglary or home invasion than a highly organized kidnapping operation.
He said, “Unfortunately, I think this case is a simple matter of a burglary gone wrong and then attempts to cover things up. But that’s a hypothesis and good investigators are investigating all hypotheses and following leads, and I think they’re doing their job here.”
The FBI has described the man seen in the footage as approximately 5 feet, 9 inches to 5 feet, 10 inches tall, with an average build, and said he was carrying a black Ozark Trail backpack.
Anyone with information is being asked to call 1-800-CALL-FBI or, anonymously, 520-88-CRIME.
Investigators have said Nancy took an Uber to her daughter Annie Guthrie’s home for dinner at about 5:32 pm before being dropped back at her own house later that evening. Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said her garage door opened at around 9:48 pm and closed at 9:50 pm, adding, “It is that time we assume that Nancy’s home and probably going to bed.”
Authorities said Nancy’s doorbell camera was disconnected at 1:47 am, with software detecting movement roughly 25 minutes later. At 2:28 am, her pacemaker app was disconnected from her cellphone. After a friend reported that Nancy had missed church, family members went to her home at 11:56 am and found she was gone. A 911 call was placed at 12:03 pm, and officers arrived at 12:15 pm.
Nanos told CBS News he believed Nancy had been “abducted” overnight, saying, “She didn’t walk from there. She didn’t go willingly.”
Several news organizations later reported receiving “ransom notes” demanding a large Bitcoin payment for Nancy’s release. Nanos said authorities were examining the “possible ransom note(s)” and confirmed that blood found on the porch of Nancy’s home belonged to her.
Savannah Guthrie and her siblings, Annie and Camron, also released an emotional Instagram video asking for their mother’s return. In it, Savannah said, “We are ready to talk. However, we live in a world where voices and images are easily manipulated. We need to know, without a doubt, that she is alive, and that you have her.”
The FBI later announced a $50,000 reward “for information leading to the recovery” of Nancy. Camron Guthrie posted another appeal, saying, “Whoever is out there holding our mother, we want to hear from you.”
Authorities subsequently said they were “aware of a new message” sent to CBS News’ Tucson affiliate KOLD. The sheriff’s department added that investigators were “conducting follow-up” at Nancy’s home and in “surrounding areas.”
In another social media video, Savannah appeared to speak directly to the alleged abductor, saying, “We received your message, and we understand. We beg you now to return our mother to us so that we can celebrate with her. This is very valuable to us, and we will pay.”
Police were later seen leaving Annie’s home with a bag after 10:30 pm. According to PEOPLE, one official was reportedly wearing blue gloves.
FBI Director Kash Patel said the surveillance images show “an armed individual appearing to have tampered with the camera at Nancy Guthrie’s front door the morning of her disappearance.” Sharing the images on Instagram, Savannah wrote, “We believe she is still alive. Bring her home.”
Authorities also announced that a man had been detained for questioning “during a traffic stop,” though he was released the next day.
The FBI said, “The suspect is described as a male, approximately 5’9″ – 5’10” tall, with an average build. In the video, he is wearing a black, 25-liter “Ozark Trail Hiker Pack” backpack.” The bureau later increased the reward to $100,000.
Investigators have also said a glove found near Nancy’s property appeared to match gloves worn by the suspect captured on the doorbell camera. The FBI said it was one of “approximately” 16 gloves collected by authorities.