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A ransom note sent days after the abduction of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of U.S. television presenter Savannah Guthrie, claimed she had died, according to investigators cited by U.S. media.
Nancy Guthrie disappeared from her home near Tucson, Arizona, on Jan. 31, after relatives dropped her off. Concern grew the next morning when she did not show up at a friend's house to watch a virtual Sunday church service.
Two notes addressed to Guthrie's family were sent to news media in the days after the kidnapping. The first demanded millions in bitcoin, a digital currency, in exchange for her release.
Investigators told CBS that the first note included specific details about Nancy Guthrie's home, bedroom and surroundings. It was reportedly addressed to Savannah Guthrie, co-anchor of NBC's Today show.
A second note, sent on Feb. 6, reportedly used similar language but made no new demand. Instead, it claimed Nancy Guthrie had died, said her death had not been intended, and included an apology to the family.
The Pima County Sheriff's Department declined to comment on the contents of the notes, but said the case remained active and ongoing.
A department spokesperson said investigators were working closely with the FBI as they followed up on leads, reviewed information and pursued the facts surrounding the case.
U.S. media reported that law enforcement had asked outlets to hold back details of the notes while the investigation continued.
After receiving the notes, Savannah Guthrie and her siblings released a video message addressed to the kidnappers.
"We received your message, and we understand," Guthrie said. "We beg you now to return our mother to us." She also said the family "would pay."
Authorities and the family repeatedly warned that Nancy Guthrie was in poor health and did not have access to critical medication.
As the search went on, authorities released images of a masked person seen in security camera footage outside Nancy Guthrie's home.
The Guthrie family offered a $1 million reward for information leading to her return, while the FBI pledged an additional $100,000.
On Feb. 24, Savannah Guthrie said the family would keep hoping, even though they knew her mother "may be lost, she may already be gone."
In a March interview with NBC, Guthrie said several ransom notes had been sent and that she believed some were bogus. However, she said her family believed the first two notes were authentic.
Savannah Guthrie stepped away from NBC's Today show for more than two months while the investigation was underway, returning to the program in early April as the search continued.
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