Josh Ritter on Nancy Guthrie case: FBI delay lost crucial evidence
Criminal defense attorney Josh Ritter is drawing attention to what he describes as a pivotal four-day lag before the FBI joined the Nancy Guthrie kidnapping investigation, saying the delay cost investigators vital surveillance footage of a possible suspect that can never be recovered. Ritter said the setback underscores why rapid response is essential in criminal investigations, particularly when time-sensitive evidence may disappear within days.
New details from the first alleged ransom note in the Nancy Guthrie case surfaced Wednesday after a former Arizona journalist read portions of it during an appearance on a prominent true crime podcast.
Briana Whitney, who reported for Phoenix-based AZ Family when the case first unfolded, appeared on “Crime Junkie” with host Ashley Flowers to discuss the note and a so-called “wrench attack” theory that came to light in May.
A spokesperson for “Crime Junkie” said the podcast team would not release copies of the written material, which has not been independently authenticated. Whitney, however, read several excerpts during the episode:
Nancy Guthrie vanished from her Tucson home in the early hours of Feb. 1, and investigators have treated her disappearance as an apparent abduction. (Fox Flight Team; Courtesy of NBC)
“Hello Savannah, We have your mother Nancy,” Whitney began, reading from what she described as the first note sent to local media. “She is safe but scared. She will be held for ransom, and once payment is received, she will be released unharmed. We will be holding her for a maximum of seven days.”
Authorities had previously said the message included two deadlines, with the ransom amount rising the longer payment was delayed.
“Once payment is received to the Bitcoin address below, she will be released within 12 hours of deposit to a safe drop-off location back in Tucson,” Whitney read. “If the payment is not received by the last deadline on Monday the 9th at 5 p.m., she will be killed. Your mother is aware of this, and her life is in your hands.”
A source familiar tells INC News that two photos of the suspect in the Nancy Guthrie doorbell video were taken on different days. (FBI)
The sender left no room for further dialogue.
“It is in the best interest of everyone to have this completed as soon as possible,” the note reportedly continued. “You will not be able to contact me from here on out. There will be no negotiation. Do not play games. Law enforcement will not be able to help you.”
This image released by the FBI shows an armed individual, left, appearing to have tampered with the camera at Nancy Guthrie’s front door the morning of her disappearance in Tucson, Arizona, Feb. 1, 2026. An undated photo of Nancy Guthrie provided by NBC in response to the disappearance of the 84-year-old mother of “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie. (Provided by FBI; Courtesy of NBC)
The note also included details that may have only been available to investigators and the suspect at the time, including the location of Guthrie’s Apple watch and details about the smashed floodlight in her backyard.
She also read from a purported second note, which claimed that the kidnappers had underestimated Guthrie’s health and that she had died shortly after being taken. That note reportedly included an apology at the end.
Investigators stand in the entrance to the home of Nancy Guthrie in Tucson, Ariz., Feb. 25, 2026. (Kat Ramirez for INC News)
Guthrie was taken from her Tucson home in the early morning hours of Feb. 1, according to the Pima County Sheriff’s Department and the FBI.
The only known suspect remains publicly unidentified — a masked intruder who appeared on Nest doorbell camera video that the FBI recovered with help from Google.
He is described as standing between 5 feet, 9 inches and 5 feet, 10 inches tall with an average build. He was wearing a black Ozark Trail backpack.
The sum of rewards in the case is over $1.2 million.
Anyone with information is asked to dial 1-800-CALL-FBI. Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Tucson’s Crime Stoppers affiliate at 520-88-CRIME.
