The second note sent to media outlets following the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie indicated that she had died but contained no apology or request for payment for the release of her body, three people familiar with the matter told NBC News.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The existence of the note was known, but the contents, specifically that it said Guthrie had died, had not been previously disclosed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Guthrie, the mother of the \u201cTODAY\u201d show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, was reported missing from her home near Tucson, Arizona, on Feb. 1, and the circumstances of her disappearance remain a mystery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nancy Guthrie, 84, was last seen the previous night around 9:45 p.m. Ten days after she was reported missing, the FBI recovered chilling doorbell camera images of an armed and masked man outside her home on the morning of her disappearance. The FBI has since described that man as a suspect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
NBC News has previously reported that investigators involved in the case have examined two notes sent to media outlets in the wake of Guthrie\u2019s disappearance and believe they are potentially credible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The first note said Guthrie was safe and requested cryptocurrency in exchange for her release. The second note did not ask for money and differed \u201cin almost every way\u201d from the first, NBC News has previously reported, quoting Jessica Bobula, the news director for local TV station KOLD, which received both notes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After the second note was sent, Savannah Guthrie addressed her mother\u2019s possible kidnapping in an Instagram video, saying the family would \u201cpay\u201d for her return.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe received your message and we understand,\u201d Savannah Guthrie said, seated alongside her brother, Camron, and sister, Annie. \u201cWe 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.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis is very valuable to us, and we will pay,\u201d Savannah Guthrie said in closing, holding her siblings\u2019 hands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Guthrie\u2019s 20-second video did not provide specifics about the message she referenced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The FBI has described the suspect seen in the surveillance footage as a man of average build, 5 feet, 9 inches to 5 feet, 10 inches tall, wearing a black Ozark Trail Hiker Pack 25-liter backpack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Savannah Guthrie has said her family was still hoping for answers. In a video posted to her Instagram account on Feb. 15, she addressed whoever had her mother or knew where she was, saying, \u201cIt is never too late to do the right thing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Anyone with information is asked to contact 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324).<\/p>\n\n\n\n