Early ransom note in Nancy Guthrie case released
Authorities have released ransom notes related to the disappearance of 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie, hoping the public can identify the writer's linguistic patterns. The notes include a demand for cryptocurrency and a later claim that the victim has died.
Why it matters
The case involves a high-profile family and raises concerns regarding kidnapping and digital extortion tactics.
Authorities released an early ransom note in the investigation into the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie in the hope that someone will recognise the writing style.
A second note released on Friday indicated that Ms Guthrie, 84, the mother of Today show host Savannah Guthrie, died.
Both notes initially went to a television station in Tucson, Arizona, days after she went missing from her home outside Tucson on February 1.
Authorities have not said whether Ms Guthrie is still alive.
The sheriff's department said "we believe these distinctive linguistic characteristics may be recognisable to someone who knows or has interacted with the notes' writer".
The first note, sent on February 2, says Ms Guthrie was safe but scared and would be released unharmed once her captors received four million dollars ( 3 million) in cryptocurrency, with the ransom amount increasing if the first demand was not met.
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