Second ransom note reportedly said Nancy Guthrie died shortly after abduction

The second of two ransom notes sent to a Tucson television station shortly after the kidnapping of Nancy Guthrie reportedly told recipients that the 84-year-old had died and that her abductors “never intended to hurt her,” according to newly disclosed details of the message.

According to AZ Family, the note was emailed through a secure server, claiming Guthrie “perished shortly after she was taken” and that “she is buried in nature now.”

That letter reportedly closed with the words, “We are truly sorry,” according to the sister TV station to KOLD News.

Guthrie, the mother of NBC “Today” show co-host Savannah Guthrie, was reported missing Feb. 1 after she failed to appear at a friend’s home in Tucson. Investigators believe she was taken from her Catalina Foothills residence against her will in the early morning hours.

KOLD received the first ransom note on Feb. 2. That message demanded millions of dollars in bitcoin for Guthrie’s release and set two payment deadlines. The second note was similar in language and style but made no financial demands.

CBS News reported that investigators believe the same person or persons sent both notes.

TMZ reveals additional new details

Separately, TMZ founder Harvey Levin said his outlet received roughly a dozen emails from a different individual who claimed to know the kidnappers’ identities and Guthrie’s whereabouts. One person initially wrote that “time is of the essence.” Days later, another message read that “time is no longer of the essence,” implying Guthrie was no longer alive, according to TMZ.

The person sought approximately $100,000 in exchange for information and said he feared retaliation from the kidnappers.

Levin added that the FBI deposited about $270 in bitcoin into the kidnappers’ account in an attempt to trace the funds, but the bureau was unable to identify the account holder.

The bureau never arranged payment for the second individual.

“I always had this gnawing sense that he might be indeed legit,” said Levin, describing the person reaching out to the outlet. “For some reason, the FBI never pulled the trigger to pay the money.”

Levin said his FBI contact expressed interest in TMZ paying the informant but has since stopped returning calls.

“For some reason the FBI has gone radio silent on me,” Levin said.

In April, TMZ reported receiving two additional messages claiming the kidnappers had taken Guthrie to Mexico and demanding one bitcoin for information.

An anonymous tip to a nonprofit organization about a grave in Mexico subsequently prompted three searches near Nogales, though no results have been disclosed.

The Guthrie family is offering a $1 million reward for information on the case. The FBI has asked anyone with information to call 1-800-CALL-FBI.

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