The ongoing investigation into a family tragedy of one of America's most popular TV personalities has entered a new phase after Arizona authorities released two alleged ransom notes in the hope that members of the public can help identify those responsible.


It has been more than six months since Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of the "Today" show airing on NBC channel, co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, disappeared from her residence in Arizona. Ongoing coverage by the news channel has reported that investigators have said they believe she was abducted against her will, although no suspects have been arrested and a motive has not been disclosed.


According to the Pima County Sheriff's Office, the first note, received on February 2, is being treated as potentially credible and demanded millions of dollars in Bitcoin in exchange for Nancy Guthrie's release.


"Hello Savannah, we have your mother Nancy. 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 7 days. You will need to send bitcoin in the amount of $4 million USD before 5PM on Thursday the 5th.


"If payment is not received, the ransom will be increased to 6 million USD which will need to be paid by 5PM on Monday the 9th. 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. If payment is not recieved [sic] by the last deadline on Monday the 9th at 5PM, she will be killed.


"Your mother is aware of this and her life is in your hands. It is in the best interest of everyone to have this completed as soon as possible.


"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."


Following a redacted section, the note concludes: "She had a white smart watch on the floor of the foot of her bed and the white flood light in backyard was destroyed."


Investigators said Nancy Guthrie was last seen on January 31 before disappearing from her home.


Four days after the first letter, a second note was sent to the family, claiming that she had died shortly after being abducted.


"Guthrie Family, we did not fully grasp the seriousness of her physical condition. We never intended to hurt her, that was not our intention.


"She perished shortly after she was taken. We believe it was heart related. She is buried in nature now.


"Nothing you could have done could have changed the outcome. We want your family to know this and hope you all can find peace. We are truly sorry."


The Pima County Sheriff's Office said it has been unable to verify the claims made in the second letter and stressed that the investigation remains active.


Following the arrival of the second note, Savannah Guthrie addressed the case publicly on Instagram on February 7, releasing another video urging whoever is responsible to reveal her mother's whereabouts.


Calling on the abductors to "do the right thing," Guthrie wrote: "We have lived every moment, every breath, and every heartbeat in agony and despair."


"Every day, we wake up and try to be strong and go on - because that's what our joyful and resilient Mom taught us to do. But make no mistake - our hearts are in ruins."


According to the sheriff's office, both ransom notes were addressed to Savannah Guthrie and the Guthrie family and were mailed to a local television station in Tucson in the days following Nancy Guthrie's disappearance.


By Nazrin Sadigova