The mysterious disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the mother of TODAY co-host Savannah Guthrie, has taken a perplexing turn as a ransom note has surfaced, reaching multiple media outlets. The investigation is now intensified as authorities work to unravel the details surrounding her vanishing.

According to a report by CBS News, this note was delivered to an undisclosed news outlet on Monday, February 2. The note allegedly detailed specific information about what the 84-year-old was wearing the night she disappeared and included other crime scene particulars, stirring concern and speculation.

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos confirmed the existence of the note to CBS News, though he refrained from commenting on the accuracy of the details it contained. “It’s like any piece of evidence,” he remarked. “You give it to us, you give us a lead, we’re going to look at every aspect of that lead.”

The initial news outlet chose not to report on the note and instead forwarded it to law enforcement. However, the following day, both CBS affiliate KOLD-TV and TMZ received similar alleged ransom notes, broadening the scope of the investigation.

Despite the efforts of the Pima County Sheriff’s Office to maintain confidentiality regarding the note, TMZ broke the news shortly after a press conference on February 3. During the briefing, Sheriff Nanos addressed the public, stating that authorities are uncertain if the disappearance is linked to a ransom demand.

Although the Pima County Sheriff’s Office had reportedly hoped to keep the note’s existence quiet, TMZ reported on it about an hour after a Feb. 3 press conference in which Nanos told the public that authorities “don’t know” whether the abduction is connected to a ransom.

The sheriff’s office later responded to the reports in a Feb. 3 statement on X. 

“We are aware of reports circulating about possible ransom note(s) regarding the investigation into Nancy Guthrie,” they wrote on X. “We are taking all tips and leads very seriously. Anything that comes in, goes directly to our detectives who are coordinating with the FBI.”

According to comments Nanos made in the Feb. 3 press conference, authorities have “no clue” whether more than one person may have been involved in the kidnapping.

Nancy was last seen the night of Jan. 31 after she was dropped off at her Arizona home in the Catalina Foothills by a family member sometime between 9:30 p.m. and 9:45 p.m. When she failed to show up at church the next morning, according to Nanos, a churchgoer reached out to her family, who called police around noon. 

According to Nanos, investigators believe Nancy was kidnapped from the home in the middle of the night after they noticed some “very concerning” circumstances at the property, which is being treated as a “crime scene,” per a Feb. 2 press conference,

“We believe she was taken out of the home against her will,” Nanos told NBC News, “and that’s how this investigation is moving.”

Though Nancy—who lives alone—is mobile, she has some physical limitations that make it difficult for her to walk 50 feet on her own, authorities said. 

As Nanos said, “We know she didn’t just walk out of there.”

She also takes life-saving medication which could be fatal if she doesn’t have access to it, Nanos shared.

According to Nanos’ comments at the Feb. 3 press conference, investigators have collected some DNA samples from the home, but so far there was “nothing to indicate any suspects.” 

Anyone with information on the case is being asked to contact the Pima County Sheriff’s Department at (520) 351-4900.