FBI and Sheriff Assess Credibility of New Note in Nancy Guthrie Case

Key points

• The Pima County Sheriff's Department and the FBI task force confirmed they are reviewing a new possible ransom note and related social media comments.
• Nancy Guthrie, 84, was reported missing on February 1, 2026, after being last seen at her home in the Catalina Foothills community near Tucson.
• Previous notes sent to a local TV station in February demanded Bitcoin ransom and later claimed Guthrie had died, though authorities have not confirmed her status.
• No suspects have been arrested, and investigators continue to analyze DNA and surveillance footage of a masked individual seen tampering with a camera at Guthrie's home.

Background

The case has been marked by limited public updates since the initial February disappearance. In August, authorities confirmed that human remains found in a nearby desert were not connected to the case. Savannah Guthrie, Nancy's daughter, has publicly urged the public for information and referenced her mother in the past tense, though sources clarify this was not an admission of death. A reward of over $1.2 million remains active for information leading to her recovery.

How outlets are covering it

USA TODAY and The Guardian report that authorities are assessing the credibility of the new note without releasing specific details. TheWrap was the first to report the development. While the primary sources focus on the current investigation, our archive indicates that a similar text message was previously dismissed as not credible by the sheriff's office, highlighting a pattern of unverified communications emerging in the case.

Why it matters

The continued emergence of ransom notes and social media speculation complicates the investigation and may mislead the public, despite the lack of confirmed progress in identifying suspects or locating Nancy Guthrie.

What to watch

Investigators will continue to determine the credibility of the new note and monitor social media for related comments. The public is encouraged to report any similar communications to the FBI or local authorities.