Investigative sources told news site Airmail that a note sent to TMZ "opened with a sputtering and labored 'apology' for Guthrie's inadvertent death."

A bizarre blackmail note sent February 6 offered to return the 84-year-old's body in return for money, a source familiar with the investigation has said.

Nancy Guthrie's family received a ransom note with an apology for her unintended death.