Nancy Guthrie ransom note, believed to be from abductor, said she died, sources say

Investigators believe that two ransom notes sent to the family of Nancy Guthrie, including one that stated she had died, were likely authored by her abductors. Authorities familiar with the case suggest the same individual or group is responsible for both notes, which appear to have originated from the same computer IP address.

The first note, demanding millions in bitcoin for Guthrie's release, was sent on February 2, one day after the 84-year-old was reported missing from her Tucson, Arizona, home. This note contained specific details about Guthrie's residence, such as an Apple Watch on her bedroom floor and a broken back porch light, according to investigators. It was addressed to her daughter, "Today" show co-host Savannah Guthrie.

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There are a lot of different notes, I think, that came, and I think most of them, it's my understanding, are not real, and I didn't see them. But I believe the two notes that we received, that we responded to, I tend to believe those are real.

A second note, sent on February 6, shared similar language and style but made no demands. Savannah Guthrie and her siblings publicly appealed to the kidnappers in an Instagram video after receiving the second note, stating, "We received your message and we understand. We beg you now to return our mother to us so that we can celebrate with her."

Savannah Guthrie expressed her belief in the authenticity of the two notes her family received and responded to. A task force comprising FBI and Pima County detectives is actively investigating the kidnapping and searching for Nancy Guthrie and those responsible.

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We received your message and we understand. We beg you now to return our mother to us so that we can celebrate with her. This is the only way we will have peace. … This is very valuable to us, and we will pay.