Who is Nancy Guthrie?

She is the mother of Today show co-host Savannah Guthrie and an 84‑year‑old woman who vanished from her Tucson home in February.

What did the police release?

Police released two ransom notes they think were sent by the kidnappers, containing messages about her condition.

What has the family asked for?

The family has asked anyone with information to come forward to help find Nancy Guthrie.

● ImportantUS & Local2 outlets covering this

Nancy Guthrie ransom notes released

First publishedJul 31, 23:35 UTC

Last updatedAug 2, 01:29 UTC · 55m ago

2 outlets over time — hover a bar for its window & outletslast updated

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8.0/10Source trustoutlet authority

2Outletsindependent sources

Significance weighs impact, urgency & coverage breadth · Source trust is the outlets' average authority · more outlets means a more confirmed story.

Answer

The Pima County Sheriff’s office has released the two ransom notes they believe may be from the person or people who kidnapped Nancy Guthrie earlier this year. One of them describes her as ‘safe but scared’...but days later they say she “perished shortly after she was taken.” NBC News’ Liz Kreutz has the contents of the notes and why they were just made public.

Reported by 2 outlets — NBC News, CBS News. See all sources ↓

Nancy Guthrie, 84, disappeared from her Tucson home in February. Six months later, police released two ransom notes they believe were sent by her kidnappers. The notes said she was safe but scared, then claimed she died shortly after being taken. Her family, including Today show co-host Savannah Guthrie, has repeatedly asked the public for information.

Why it matters

The case shows how missing‑person investigations rely on public tips and how families cope with long uncertainty. It also highlights the role of media in spreading appeals for help.

In brief

Who is Nancy Guthrie?: She is the mother of Today show co-host Savannah Guthrie and an 84‑year‑old woman who vanished from her Tucson home in February.
What did the police release?: Police released two ransom notes they think were sent by the kidnappers, containing messages about her condition.
What has the family asked for?: The family has asked anyone with information to come forward to help find Nancy Guthrie.

Different angles across outlets

Coverage map

How outlets are framing the same story

These are the main editorial angles found across reporting. Use them to quickly compare what different outlets emphasize, omit, or question.

Some outlets emphasize the family’s anguish and pleas for help, while others focus on the police release of the ransom notes and investigative details such as video review.

Coverage cardFraming signal
1Angle
Scouting report
Police releasing ransom notes and seeking public help
Sources2
TypeAngle
NBC NewsAug 1, 00:56details note contents and why released
CBS NewsJul 31, 23:35states police released notes to get public help
Coverage cardFraming signal
2Angle
Scouting report
Notes claim she perished shortly after abduction
Sources2
TypeAngle
NBC NewsAug 1, 00:56notes say she perished shortly after taken
CBS NewsJul 31, 23:35notes state she died soon after abduction

Related in the knowledge graph

organizationLiz Kreutz organizationNancy Guthrie organizationNBC News organizationOne

Sources (2)

Avg source rating 8.0/10

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