A ransom note was sent to a local Arizona news station following the disappearance of “Today” show co-host Savannah Guthrie’s mother, Nancy Guthrie, the Pima County sheriff told CBS News.
The note, which the station received Monday and agreed not to report on, contained specific details about the home and what Nancy Guthrie was wearing that night, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said, although he would not confirm the accuracy of that information or the legitimacy of the note.
“It’s like any piece of evidence,” Nanos told CBS News. “You give it to us, you give us a lead, we’re going to look at every aspect of that lead.”
Nanos did not specify which station the note was sent to, but CBS affiliate KOLD-TV reported Tuesday it had received an email that “appears to be one of the alleged ransom notes,” which it forwarded to the sheriff’s office.
Investigators have analyzed the note and are taking it seriously, Nanos said.
He said the FBI reviewed the note and made the decision to share it with Savannah Guthrie. Authorities had hoped to keep the information from becoming public, but the note was obtained by TMZ, which reported on it before contacting the sheriff’s office, Nanos said.
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department had earlier said on social media it was aware of “reports circulating about possible ransom note(s),” adding, “Anything that comes in, goes directly to our detectives who are coordinating with the FBI.”
Surveillance video from a home security system has yielded nothing so far, Nanos told CBS News. He said investigators believe the system may have been set to automatically delete footage after a short period of time, and they are now attempting to recover it through forensic means.
Nanos previously told CBS News that investigators believe the 84-year-old was abducted from her home in the middle of the night over the weekend, and he described it as “a crime scene.” Authorities have been searching for her since Sunday.
Nancy Guthrie was last seen at her home Saturday night, but no one knew she was missing until she didn’t show up for church the next morning, Nanos said.
The sheriff has repeatedly said Guthrie, who lives alone, could not have wandered away from her home because she has no cognitive issues and very limited mobility.
He also expressed concern that she needs access to medication that she must take daily, telling CBS News, “The clock is literally ticking.”
“You’ve placed her in great jeopardy without giving her meds that are critical to her,” Nanos said. “Again, like I’ve said, could be fatal if she doesn’t get those meds.”
The sheriff has said it’s unclear how many people may have been involved in the apparent abduction.
“It could be one, it could’ve been more, I don’t know,” he said.
A little bit of blood was found inside Nancy Guthrie’s Tucson home, a law enforcement source familiar with the case told CBS News, and what appeared to be a small amount of dried blood was seen next to a doormat outside the front door of the home on Tuesday.
Anna Schecter, Alex Sundby and Pat Milton contributed to this report.
News
Heartbreaking Words: “My son isn’t here anymore because a boy got angry,” Austin Metcalf’s mother said through tears in a newly released video
“Just because the kid was mad, my son is not here anymore and I don’t understand it.” — Meghan Metcalf, mother of slain high school student Austin Metcalf A high school student has been charged with murder in the fatal stabbing of another student at a track meet in Texas, police said. The incident occurred […]
“My son is gone because a boy got angry, and I still don’t understand why”: Austin Metcalf’s mother broke down in tears in a new video released by her husband
“Just because the kid was mad, my son is not here anymore and I don’t understand it.” — Meghan Metcalf, mother of slain high school student Austin Metcalf A high school student has been charged with murder in the fatal stabbing of another student at a track meet in Texas, police said. The incident occurred […]
Final Words: Austin Metcalf’s mom delivered one last message in court to Karmelo Anthony, the person who k!lled her son, leaving the room in tears
The defense has rested its case in the Karmelo Anthony murder trial. Closing arguments are scheduled for Tuesday morning after testimony ends without the defendant, who claims he stabbed Austin Metcalf in self-defense at a Frisco Independent School District track meet last year, taking the stand. Defense rests without Anthony taking the stand The defense presented only three witnesses […]
Teammate Testimony: A teammate said Karmelo Anthony appeared “panicked” immediately after Austin Metcalf was k!lled and kept making the same gesture in the crowd
Texas teen Karmelo Anthony appeared “distraught” in the moments after he allegedly fatally stabbed Austin Metcalf, another student testified Monday at his murder trial. A 17-year-old teammate of Anthony described the “chaos” that ensued at a track and field meet in Frisco on April 2, 2025 after Anthony and Metcalf got into a dispute over […]
Day 6 Trial Update: Karmelo Anthony took the stand and began an emotional, tear-filled defense before the court
MCKINNEY, Texas – A Texas jury will soon decide the fate of Karmelo Anthony. Anthony, 19, has been charged with murder in connection with the stabbing death of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf. Investigators said Anthony and Metcalf got into an argument over stadium seating during a track meet in Frisco on April 2, 2025. When the disagreement […]
Courtroom Live: The Karmelo Anthony murder trial continues today as new testimony emerges in the Austin Metcalf case
The Karmelo Anthony trial continued Saturday for almost nine hours with about a dozen witnesses at the Collin County Courthouse. Many of them broke down in tears while testifying. Anthony is charged with the stabbing death of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf at a Frisco track meet in April 2025. The prosecution rested after calling 21 witnesses. […]
End of content
No more pages to load










