A second ransom note, received by Savannah Guthrie’s family on 6 February, claims that her mother, Nancy, died after an abduction from her Tucson home.
The note, which followed an earlier one demanding millions in bitcoin, apologises for the death and states it was unintentional.
Authorities from the Pima County Sheriff’s Department and the FBI are investigating the case, which remains active and ongoing.
Television presenter Savannah Guthrie has publicly pleaded for information, stepping away from her Today show duties for months while the search continues.
A reward of $1 million is offered by the family and $100 000 from the FBI for leads that could help bring Nancy back, although her fate remains uncertain.
