Nancy Guthrie cops investigating possible ransom note in hunt for anchor’s missing mom
Arizona authorities have acknowledged a reported ‘ransom note’ that TMZ says was sent to its offices following the abduction of Savannah Guthrie’s mother Nancy.
The Pima County Sheriff’s Office said on X that is was ‘aware’ of reports from the tabloid outlet, claiming that a ransom note had been sent to its offices on Tuesday morning.
TMZ reported that the note, which it said it could not verify as from the abductors, demanded millions in Bitcoin for the release of the 84-year-old.
The outlet said that the note demanded the Bitcoin be sent to a specific cryptocurrency address, which it has verified as a real Bitcoin address.
The note concluded with a deadline for the ransom to be paid ‘or else’, and reportedly included details including noting an item broken inside Nancy’s Tucson-area home when she was snatched over the weekend.
The Pima County Sheriff’s Office wrote on X soon after the TMZ report that it was ‘aware’ of the reports of the note, but did not say that it was legitimate.
‘We are taking all tips and leads very seriously,’ the sheriff’s office said. ‘Anything that comes in, goes directly to our detectives who are coordinating with the FBI.’
It comes as the man leading the hunt for Guthrie, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos, repeatedly refused to say if there have been ransom demands at a press conference on Tuesday.
Savannah Guthrie is seen with her mother Nancy Guthrie. Nancy was reported missing in Tucson, Arizona, at noon on Sunday by her family. She hadn’t been seen since the night of January 31
Nanos was asked ‘if any demands have been made by kidnappers’ after Today star Savannah Guthrie‘s 84-year-old mother was snatched late Saturday night or Sunday morning.
Addressing a press conference in Tucson, Arizona, on Tuesday, Nanos deflected, saying: ‘We have all kinds of investigative leads we are working on.’
Another reporter in the room picked up on Nanos’ evasiveness and questioned: ‘You were asked if there was a ransom, didn’t say no… does that mean that a ransom has come in?’
Nanos again avoided the question, saying simply: ‘We are following all leads.’
There were no notes of hope during Tuesday’s question and answer session.
Nanos said repeatedly that investigators do not know where Nancy is, and he was unable to offer insight into a possible suspect or suspects.
The sheriff also addressed reports that a doorbell camera had been removed from Nancy’s home, saying that it was unclear if it had been removed before Nancy’s abduction.
Nanos added that no strange cars had been seen in the area around the time of Nancy’s kidnapping and that no tire tracks were found.
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos (left) told reporters at a press conference that investigators were ‘following all leads’ when asked if Nancy’s abductors had made any ransom demands
Tuesday’s press conference offered few new details over Nancy’s disappearance, and FBI agent Jon Edwards only spoke briefly to urge the public to come forward with any information that could help investigators.
Edwards said the FBI was doing ‘everything in its power’ to ‘bring Nancy home’, including downloading cellphone tower data, conducting interviews and analyzing data from the surrounding area.
‘Every lead or tip is important,’ Edwards added.
Nanos said authorities had no information to provide as to Nancy’s clothing or a car she may have been abducted in.
Officials previously said they have no reason to believe Nancy may have been targeted because of her daughter, but have also not ruled out any inquiries.
It was revealed earlier Tuesday by police sources that disturbing evidence of an abduction was found at Nancy Guthrie’s home, including blood drops leading from her home’s entry to her driveway.
Outside the Tucson home on Tuesday, the rural property was surrounded by a horde of media vehicles – but no sign of the police, despite it being an active crime scene.
Investigators said Nancy’s $1 million home in Tucson, Arizona (pictured on Tuesday) showed signs of forced entry, and forensic teams found blood inside the property
Outside Nancy’s Arizona home, where neighbors left a sign saying they ‘stand with’ the 84-year-old and her family
Officials previously said they have no reason to believe Nancy may have been targeted because of her daughter, but have also not ruled out any inquiries. Savannah Guthrie earns a reported $8 million salary at NBC, and has a net worth estimated at around $40 million
Officials say Nancy, 84, is frail and has poor mobility, and suffers from a condition that requiries her to take medication daily
The sprawling property – where Nancy’s Today host daughter Savannah grew up – is not cordoned off with police tape, although some lights could be seen coming from inside on Monday night.
A bundled up blue t-shirt could be seen next to the front door, although it wasn’t clear whether that had anything to do with the investigation.
Outside the home, neighbors left a sign saying they ‘stand with’ the 84-year-old and her family.
Meanwhile, Guthrie herself is holed up four miles away at her sister Annie’s $650,000 three-bedroom home.
Annie, 56, was the last person to see her 84-year-old mother before she disappeared, with the pair spending that evening having dinner and playing mahjong – before Nancy was dropped off at home around 9.30pm.