Key facts
- Nancy Guthrie, mother of US news presenter Savannah Guthrie, was abducted in January.
- Police released two ransom notes six months after her disappearance.
- The notes contain distinctive linguistic characteristics that could help identify the writer.
- One note demanded a Bitcoin ransom, while the other claimed Guthrie had died.
- Forensic linguists analyze writing for unique 'word prints' that can distinguish individuals.
- Savannah Guthrie expressed hope that the public would recognize the writing and come forward.
Six months after the abduction of Nancy Guthrie, the mother of US news presenter Savannah Guthrie, police have released two ransom notes in an effort to identify her kidnappers. Guthrie, 84, went missing from her Arizona home in January, and the investigation has yielded few leads. The Pima County Sheriff's Department hopes that the "distinct linguistic characteristics" within the notes will help someone recognize the writer's voice. Forensic linguists explain that individuals possess a unique 'idiolect' or 'word print' that can be identified from their writing. The first note, sent on February 2, demanded millions of dollars in Bitcoin and stated Guthrie was safe but would be released after payment. It also included a deadline of Monday, February 9th, at 5 PM. Linguist William Eggington noted the writer's reliance on passive voice and an 'if-then' sentence structure, suggesting a high-school or university education. He also pointed out an inconsistent spelling of 'received' as an indicator of potential editing oversight or disguise. The second note, received on February 6, claimed Guthrie had died shortly after being taken, attributing it to a heart condition and stating she was "buried in nature." Eggington suggested this phrasing was an attempt to dehumanize the victim and avoid responsibility, while the academic-style language might be an intentional disguise. He believes the same person wrote both notes, citing the consistent use of commas instead of full stops to separate sentences. While experts like Professor Jeffrey Adler express skepticism about identifying a suspect after this much time, the FBI has released images of a masked man seen near Guthrie's home on the night of her abduction. Savannah Guthrie has expressed desperation and hope that someone will recognize the writing and come forward, referencing the Unabomber case where a brother identified the suspect through his manifesto.