Story perspectives

Sheriff Publishes Nancy Guthrie Kidnapping Ransom Notes

8/3/2026

Summary

Sheriff Nanos Demands

Sheriff Chris Nanos released two ransom notes on July 31 demanding money for Nancy Guthrie’s kidnapping.
The February 2 note demanded $4 million by February 5, increased to $6 million by February 9, and threatened death.
A February 6 note claimed Guthrie died of a heart condition and was buried in nature.
Police collected Guthrie’s blood and hair, found no CODIS DNA match, and a reward of over $1 million from her family and the FBI remains.

Summary

Sheriff Posts Ransom

The sheriff’s department posted the full ransom notes on its X account on the six-month anniversary.
Investigators listed anxiety, unexplained injuries, vehicle cleaning and sudden neighborhood interest changes as clues.
Both ransom notes came from the same IP address, suggesting a single sender.
The notes were sent to KOLD-TV, a CBS affiliate, and other local media to broaden exposure.

History

Historical Context

On July 10 1973, 16-year-old John Paul Getty III was abducted in Rome by the Calabrian ‘Ndrangheta, sparking a ransom demand that peaked at $17 million. After the kidnappers mailed his severed ear in November, J. Paul Getty agreed to the reduced $2.2 million payment, and Getty III was rescued on December 15 1973. The case drew intense media, prompting coordinated police actions by Italian authorities, Interpol and the FBI and later shaped modern ransom-negotiation protocols.

1 of 3

Sheriff Nanos Demands

Sheriff Chris Nanos released two ransom notes on July 31 demanding money for Nancy Guthrie’s kidnapping.
The February 2 note demanded $4 million by February 5, increased to $6 million by February 9, and threatened death.
A February 6 note claimed Guthrie died of a heart condition and was buried in nature.
Police collected Guthrie’s blood and hair, found no CODIS DNA match, and a reward of over $1 million from her family and the FBI remains.

1 / 3