Sheriff in Nancy Guthrie case contradicted himself on ransom note

Sheriff Chris Nanos of Pima County, Arizona, made statements that appear to contradict the recent release of two ransom notes in the disappearance case of Nancy Guthrie, mother of 'Today' show co-host Savannah Guthrie. Just one day before the notes were made public on Friday, Nanos told CBS News that he had "nothing to indicate she's dead," adding, "I don't have a body. I don't have a burial site. I don't have any note."

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I have nothing to indicate she's dead. I don't have a body. I don't have a burial site. I don't have any note.

However, Nanos did possess notes. On Friday, he released the two messages to the public for the first time. These notes were originally sent to a local CBS affiliate in Tucson in February, shortly after the 84-year-old Guthrie was abducted. Nanos stated his intention in releasing the notes was to solicit public recognition of potentially distinctive wording that could help identify the sender.

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Hello Savannah, we have your mother.

The first note, received a day after Guthrie was reported missing, informed the recipient, "Hello Savannah, we have your mother," and demanded a $4 million ransom in bitcoin, promising her return within 12 hours of payment. This note included specific details about Nancy Guthrie's white Apple Watch and the floodlights on her back porch, which led the FBI to treat it seriously. The second note, sent four days later, shifted tone, stating, "We never intended to hurt her, that was not our intention. She perished shortly after she was taken. We believe it was heart related. She is buried in nature now." This second message dropped the ransom demand entirely.

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We never intended to hurt her, that was not our intention. She perished shortly after she was taken. We believe it was heart related. She is buried in nature now.

Investigators believe both notes were sent from the same IP address, though it was masked, leaving the origin unknown. Lance Leising, a retired FBI supervisory special agent, commented that releasing the notes for more tips is a positive step. However, he questioned the timing, suggesting the media strategy seemed "haphazard" given the delay and lack of recent public communication. Leising speculated that the delayed release might stem from ongoing questions about the notes' authenticity, especially since individuals have already been arrested and charged for sending hoax notes in connection with the case.

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However, so late in the case and after a period of time where they have had no communication with the public, it just seems that the media strategy here is a little haphazard.