A chaotic search effort for the missing mother of a “Today” show host has hit a standstill following a surge of seemingly false ransom notes claiming to have information about Nancy Guthrie. She vanished from her upscale home in Tucson, Arizona, on Sunday afternoon.
During the past five days, authorities have received at least three ransom messages, but only one is being taken seriously, as per law enforcement reports.
Pima County officials noted in a press conference that one particularly distorted demand letter requested payment by 5 p.m. local time on Thursday, with an additional demand set for February 9.
While officials didn’t explicitly confirm they were speaking about the ransom note sent to TMZ earlier this week, specifics like timing and other details were reported to match a letter delivered to newsrooms on Tuesday.
This letter demands millions in Bitcoin for Nancy’s safe return, with the terms expected to change if the deadline isn’t met, as reported by TMZ. If the ransom isn’t fulfilled by the specified date, there are alleged “serious consequences.”
Authorities indicated the memo outlined insider information about Nancy’s supposed kidnapping, including mentions of her Apple Watch and features of her high-end home. However, it’s important to note that the letter lacked a direct contact method, instead providing an address for ransom delivery.
It’s still uncertain whether this memo is the same one sent to a CBS News affiliate on Monday.
The anchor of that station mentioned viewing the potential ransom note, which included specific figures, deadlines, and other insider details. “Much of it seems like information only a kidnapper would know,” Mary Coleman stated, suggesting the messages could be legitimate.
Although the exact contents of the letter sent to the station remain under wraps, law enforcement has been alerted and is looking into the matter.
During a Thursday press briefing, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos acknowledged the possibility that Nancy’s disappearance might not be linked to the ransom demands.
Nonetheless, this situation has allowed opportunists to exploit the high-profile case. Derrick Cajera from California was arrested for sending immoral messages regarding missing family members to Guthrie’s daughter, Annie, and son-in-law, Tommaso Cioni. Reports indicated he inquired if they had received their Bitcoin.
Moreover, police records show that shortly after sending his text, Cajera made a brief phone call to an unidentified family member of Nancy’s. He later admitted to officers that he was following the case and had located the Guthries’ contact information online, using it to send his unsettling message.
Cajera claimed he was merely testing to see if his family would respond, according to court documents. He now faces two charges related to ransom-related communications.
This isn’t the only troubling matter the Guthrie family has encountered during this distressing time. The FBI is also investigating a series of letters sent to the host, with one containing derogatory language and mentioning notorious figures associated with violence and crime.
