An alleged ransom note demanding Bitcoin has surfaced in the investigation into the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of Today show anchor Savannah Guthrie. The Pima County Sheriff’s Office stated it is reviewing all tips and coordinating with the FBI, while declining to confirm the note’s authenticity. Authorities believe Guthrie was abducted and are treating the case as a criminal investigation.
An alleged ransom note demanding a large Bitcoin payment has emerged in the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie. Authorities are treating the case as a possible kidnapping after finding concerning evidence inside her Arizona home.
The note, which included a deadline and an implied threat, was reportedly sent to a media outlet. “We have passed on this email. We don’t know whether this is legit or not,” said the outlet’s founder.
Law enforcement has not confirmed if the note is from kidnappers or a hoax. The Pima County Sheriff’s Office wrote that all tips are being taken seriously and detectives are coordinating with the FBI.
A producer from the outlet said the note contained a verified Bitcoin address and specific details about Guthrie. The note’s demand follows a pattern of criminals using cryptocurrency in kidnapping cases.
In recent years, several high-profile kidnappings have involved crypto ransom demands. These include the abduction of WonderFi CEO Dean Skurka, who was released after a $720,000 ransom was paid, and Ledger co-founder David Balland in France.
In the U.S., two men were charged last year for allegedly kidnapping and torturing an Italian national to access his Bitcoin. The use of Bitcoin in ransom demands has been a cybercrime tactic for over a decade.
