“She’s buried with nature now” - what second Nancy Guthrie ransom note revealed
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Quick Read
Summary
Takeaways
- ❖A source close to the Nancy Guthrie investigation revealed the second ransom note stated she died and was 'buried with nature now.'
- ❖The note indicated Nancy Guthrie's death was unintentional but did not offer a direct apology.
- ❖Savannah Guthrie's video message, stating 'We received your message and we understand,' now makes sense in light of the note's content.
- ❖Retired FBI agent Steve Moore is skeptical about the authenticity of many ransom notes, believing only a minority are real.
- ❖The FBI typically advises against paying ransom without proof of life to prevent encouraging future kidnappings and to ensure the victim is alive.
- ❖FBI agents involved in unresolved cases often experience regret and second-guess their decisions, as they are human.
Insights
1Content of Second Ransom Note Revealed
A source close to the investigation confirmed that the second ransom note in the Nancy Guthrie case explicitly stated she died and was 'buried with nature now.' The note also indicated her death was unintentional but did not include a direct apology.
Host Brian Entin states, 'I am told that the second ransom note in the Nancy Guthrie case said that she died and that she was quote buried with nature. Now... the note indicated that Nancy's death was not intentional, but did not offer a direct apology.'
2Savannah Guthrie's Response Explained
The new information about the second ransom note clarifies why Savannah Guthrie released a video message stating, 'We received your message and we understand. We 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.' Her tone and words now reflect an understanding that her mother was likely deceased.
Brian Entin connects Savannah's video to the note: 'it kind of makes sense when you now go back and watch what Savannah said on Instagram after receiving that note.'
3FBI's Stance on Ransom Payments Without Proof of Life
Retired FBI agent Steve Moore explains that the FBI generally advises against paying ransom without proof of life. This policy aims to prevent setting a dangerous precedent that could encourage future kidnappers to kill victims and still receive payment, thereby reducing the chances of other victims returning alive.
Steve Moore states, 'If you pay without proof of life, you are... it's a very bad indicator that you would get the person alive if they're not willing to provide proof of life.' He compares it to 'giving in to terrorists.'
4FBI Internal Review and Agent Regret
In cases that remain unresolved, FBI agents and leadership conduct 'hot washes' or debriefs to analyze what could have been done better. Agents often experience profound regret and second-guess their decisions for years, acknowledging their human fallibility in high-stakes situations.
Steve Moore shares, 'When you get to a case that was never resolved in the way you wanted it to be... there is nobody who doesn't wake up... I still look back at cases.'
Bottom Line
TMZ's attempt to partner with the FBI to pay ransom for a documentary was met with silence, indicating the FBI's strong aversion to public media involvement in active investigations.
This highlights the FBI's strict protocols against compromising investigations with external, potentially sensationalist, partners, even if they offer financial assistance. It underscores the agency's focus on operational integrity over public relations or unconventional investigative methods.
For media organizations covering sensitive cases, understanding the boundaries and non-negotiables of law enforcement is crucial to avoid being 'ghosted' and to maintain credibility, even if their intentions are to help.
The act of sending ransom notes to public news stations, rather than directly to the family, suggests a lack of sophistication or direct contact with the victim's family, raising questions about the kidnapper's expertise.
This amateurish approach, as described by the ex-FBI agent, indicates the perpetrators may not be 'professional kidnappers' but rather 'first timers' or individuals who miscalculated the effectiveness of public communication channels.
Investigators can leverage such operational blunders to build a psychological profile, focusing on individuals with limited criminal experience or those seeking public attention, which could narrow the suspect pool.
Key Concepts
Precedent Setting in Negotiations
The FBI's reluctance to pay ransom without proof of life is likened to not negotiating with terrorists. Paying without proof sets a dangerous precedent, signaling to criminals that they can kill victims and still receive payment, thereby reducing the chances of future kidnapping victims returning alive.
Stages of Acceptance of Death (Kubler-Ross Model)
The emotional process families go through in kidnapping cases, especially when a victim is presumed dead, mirrors the stages of acceptance of death, moving from anger and frustration towards eventual, albeit difficult, acceptance.
Scavenger Effect in Public Cases
In high-profile public cases, after the initial perpetrators ('predators') have acted, a wave of 'scavengers' (e.g., hoaxers, opportunists seeking money or attention) emerge, sending fake notes or making false claims, complicating the investigation.
Notable Moments
Brian Entin reveals the specific quote from the second ransom note: 'She died and was buried with nature now.'
This is the core new information of the episode, providing a grim and specific detail about Nancy Guthrie's fate as communicated by the alleged kidnappers, and explains subsequent family actions.
Steve Moore explains why an apology from a kidnapper would be 'extremely unusual' and how it would change the psychological profile.
This provides expert insight into criminal psychology, suggesting that a conciliatory tone or apology is rare and would significantly alter how law enforcement perceives the perpetrators and their intentions.
Quotes
"The second ransom note in the Nancy Guthrie case said that she died and that she was quote buried with nature. Now."
"We received your message and we understand. We 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. This is very valuable to us and we will pay."
"If you pay without proof of life, you are... you might potentially not log. I I I think it's it it's a very bad indicator that you would get the person alive if they're not willing to provide proof of life."
"If the FBI is not returning your call, maybe they're just not that into you."
"A legitimate kidnapper with a brain in their head would involve public agencies, especially TMZ and news stations, in transmitting ransom notes... it tells you number one you may not know how to get how to get in touch with a uh with a Guthrie family which indicates you know your level of expertise."
Q&A
Recent Questions
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