Recent findings reveal that three ransom notes linked to the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie were, in fact, fabricated. This information comes from a federal investigation.
An FBI official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, indicated that the notes concerned the abduction of “Today” co-host Savannah Guthrie’s elderly mother, who is 84 years old. Reports suggest all three letters—two sent shortly after Guthrie vanished in early February and a third that claimed to identify her kidnapper—are not authentic.
“None of the ransom notes appear to be genuine,” the FBI source disclosed.
Another law enforcement representative confirmed the FBI’s conclusions regarding the inauthenticity of the ransom communications.
Authorities suspect Guthrie was taken from her residence in Tucson, Arizona, where she has been missing since February 1.
Many media outlets, including TMZ, have been inundated with ransom demands since her disappearance was reported.
The first two ransom letters are thought to have originated from the same source, though how this was determined remains unclear. The initial note sent to TMZ requested “millions” in cryptocurrencies, with specific payment deadlines of February 5 and 9.
A second note, reported by NBC last week, implied that Guthrie was deceased and notably did not ask for any payment to return her remains.
To verify the authenticity of the original ransom request, the FBI deposited a small amount of cryptocurrency into the designated account; however, the funds were never withdrawn. This, along with other undisclosed investigative methods, led them to believe the ransom came from an unrelated individual.
The FBI further determined that the third memo sent to TMZ last week, which claimed to identify Guthrie’s kidnapper, was also fake, though they did not specify how they reached this conclusion.
Attempts to obtain more information from the FBI were not immediately successful.
with post wire
