Simply put
- The investigation into Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance has revealed a ransom note that is demanding millions in Bitcoin.
- The Pima County Sheriff’s Office confirmed they are looking into all leads and collaborating with the FBI but did not elaborate further.
- Authorities suspect that Guthrie has been kidnapped and are treating the situation as a criminal matter.
As the investigation into the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie—Today host Savannah Guthrie’s 84-year-old mother—continues, a ransom note has surfaced, reportedly demanding Bitcoin for her release.
According to a report by TMZ, the note requests a “significant” payment in Bitcoin and includes a deadline along with a subtle threat if its terms are not met.
Harvey Levin, founder and host of TMZ, mentioned in a segment that they contacted the Sheriff’s Department multiple times to relay the information but expressed uncertainty about the legal implications of the note.
Guthrie was last seen on January 31 at her home in the Catalina Foothills of Arizona. Initially classified as a missing adult due to her age, the case was later escalated to a potential kidnapping when authorities found “very concerning” evidence in her residence.
Levin noted that it’s not unusual for news outlets to receive ransom-type correspondence, suggesting this kind of situation occurs occasionally.
Law enforcement has yet to verify if the ransom note is indeed from the kidnappers or merely a hoax aimed at acquiring Bitcoin.
The Pima County Sheriff’s Office declined to comment further but pointed to previous remarks made about the situation. They acknowledged awareness of the ransom note claims and assured the public that they take all tips and leads seriously, forwarding them to detectives working with the FBI.
While the authenticity of the ransom note remains unconfirmed, TMZ’s executive producer stated that the Bitcoin addresses mentioned in the note are verified as legitimate, along with details about what Guthrie was wearing at the time and items that appeared damaged at her house.
Efforts to confirm the validity of the Bitcoin addresses through TMZ are ongoing, but no immediate responses have been received from Guthrie’s representatives.
Bitcoin kidnapping and extortion
The trend of using Bitcoin in ransom demands has been around for over a decade, starting with ransomware that required cryptocurrency payments to unlock files. This model eventually expanded into various cybercrimes.
In recent years, there has been a noticeable shift towards physical kidnappings and extortion scenarios.
For instance, in April 2024, a Canadian family experienced torture at the hands of kidnappers seeking access to their cryptocurrency. Similarly, in November 2024, WonderFi CEO Dean Skulka was abducted in Toronto, with a ransom of $720,000 paid for his release.
Just two months following that incident, Ledger co-founder David Balland was kidnapped in France as part of a ransom scheme that involved cryptocurrencies.
Additionally, last June, prosecutors in New York charged two individuals with the kidnapping of an Italian man, during which they allegedly tortured him for weeks to force him into accessing his Bitcoin holdings.
