New message received via email tied to Nancy Guthrie case

PHOENIX – KOLD News received a new message on Friday afternoon via email related to the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie.

The FBI and Pima County Sheriff’s Department are aware of the new message and are inspecting the authenticity of its contents, Pima County Sheriff’s Department said in a Friday statement.

According to KOLD News, 13 News received the same note on Friday morning. It noted that it sent the sender’s IP address to law enforcement, adding that it was not the same one as the initial note.

However, it appeared that the sender used the same kind of secure server in order to hide their address.

“The new note contains something the senders seem to think will prove to investigators they’re the same people who sent the first note,” KOLD News said.

On Friday night, AZFamily — KOLD News’ sister station — reported that the note did not provide proof of life or a way for the Guthrie family to communicate with the 84-year-old’s captors. The TV news station also said there were no more ransom demands made.

Following the receival of the second message, the Pima County Sheriff’s Department said investigators would be returning to the Guthrie home for a follow-up at the residence and surrounding area. It added that the roadway in front of the home would be closed.

Authorities are continuing to ask anyone with information to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI. There is still a $50,000 reward “for any information leading to the recovery of Nancy Guthrie and/or the arrest and conviction of anyone involved in her disappearance,” police said.

What are the latest updates on the Nancy Guthrie case?

Investigators have been working on the assumption that the 84-year-old mother of “Today” host Savannah Guthrie was taken from her Tucson home against her will sometime between 9:45 p.m. Jan. 31 and just before noon the next day.

The FBI said Thursday it is taking apparent ransom notes sent to national and local media outlets seriously. However, officials said there has been no additional contact from the sender of the notes since they arrived.

Nancy Guthrie’s children mentioned the need for proof of life in two videos they posted online this week. The FBI said it worked with the family on crafting their messages, but it was up to the family to decide what to do in regard to ransom demands.

“We need to know without a doubt that she is alive and that you have her. We want to hear from you, and we are ready to listen. Please reach out to us,” Savannah Guthrie said in a video posted Wednesday.

“We need you to reach out and we need a way to communicate with you so we can move forward. But first we have to know that you have our mom,” Cameron Guthrie, Savannah’s brother, said in a video posted Thursday.

Heith Janke, special agent in charge of the FBI Phoenix office, said during a press conference on Thursday the ransom note sent to media outlets included a financial demand and had two deadlines, one which passed at 5 p.m. Thursday and another on Monday.

KTAR.com senior editor Kevin Stone contributed.

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