FBI investigating legitimacy of Nancy Guthrie ransom notes
Ransom Note Categories
FBI investigating legitimacy of Nancy Guthrie – Five months have passed since Nancy Guthrie, an 84-year-old grandmother and mother of “Today” co-host Savannah Guthrie, vanished in Tucson, Arizona. Yet the mystery surrounding her kidnapping remains unresolved, with investigators grappling to determine the authenticity of the ransom notes received. These notes are divided into three groups: two early messages deemed potentially genuine, others that lack identifying clues but could still be real, and additional demands labeled as deceptive attempts by authorities.
“The FBI and its task force partners have received several ransom notes over the course of this investigation,” an FBI official said in a statement to CBS News. “Some have been deemed to be extortion attempts without legitimacy. Other demands may still be legitimate and are under review.”
FBI Collaboration and Response
The FBI is working closely with the Pima County Sheriff’s Department, which leads the case. Law enforcement sources indicated that the agency is handling digital forensic analysis of the ransom notes. Sheriff Chris Nanos has directed all inquiries about the notes to the FBI, emphasizing the ongoing focus on the kidnapping-for-ransom angle.
Initial Ransom Demand Details
The first note arrived on Feb. 2, just a day after Nancy Guthrie was reported missing. It contained specific details about her home, such as the placement of her Apple Watch with a white band near her bed and the status of a back porch floodlight. These details bolstered the credibility of the message, which initially asked for $4 million in bitcoin within days, followed by an extra $2 million if the deadline wasn’t met. The ransom request was relayed through local news stations and TMZ, with a Gmail address linked to Savannah Guthrie as the contact point. However, no response was received after the family collaborated with the FBI to draft a reply.
TMZ’s Role in the Investigation
As the days progressed, TMZ continued to receive tips from the public, which it forwarded to the FBI. One message, in particular, drew attention from founder Harvey Levin. It asked for 1 bitcoin—approximately $60,000—to reveal details about the kidnappers. Levin shared his belief with CBS News, saying, “A month ago, I called the FBI and I said, ‘Look, I just have this sense this guy might be real.'”
Levin reported sending about a dozen messages to the FBI, including a suggestion to test the sender’s authenticity by depositing funds into the bitcoin address and tracking the transactions. At one point, the FBI hinted that the sender might be female, prompting Levin to propose the documentary idea. However, the FBI eventually asked him to pause the plan, stating they were nearing a breakthrough in identifying the sender.
Recently, Levin received another message from the individual, who claimed a video of Nancy Guthrie was stored securely on a cellphone and again requested 1 bitcoin for information. While these latest notes add intrigue, there is no confirmation of their legitimacy. The FBI’s progress in pinpointing the sender remains uncertain.
