The FBI has confirmed that all three ransom notes sent to TMZ demanding millions of dollars in cryptocurrency for the return of Nancy Guthrie were fake. Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of Today show anchor Savannah Guthrie, went missing from her Tucson, Arizona home on February 1, 2026. Her whereabouts remain unknown.
FBI investigation reveals notes not genuine
A senior FBI official told Reuters that none of the ransom notes are believed to be genuine. The notes, which were initially treated as credible, claimed to be from the kidnappers and demanded payments in Bitcoin. The first note demanded $4 million in Bitcoin within a few days, escalating to $6 million. The latest note offered an apology for Nancy's death and claimed her body could be delivered for $4 million.
To test the notes' authenticity, FBI agents deposited a small amount of cryptocurrency into the listed account. The money was never claimed, indicating the notes were fraudulent.
New doubts about kidnapping motive
The development has led investigators to question whether Nancy was taken for ransom at all. DNA testing confirmed that blood found on her front porch matched Nancy's. Footage showed an armed masked person tampering with her video doorbell before the feed cut out. Nancy has been described as frail with limited mobility.
Savannah Guthrie's public plea
On the Today show, Savannah Guthrie, 54, broke down in tears as she begged the public for help. She had previously agreed to pay the ransom. 'I wanted to just take the opportunity to ask people, really to beg people, to come forward. Somebody knows something,' she said.
Volunteer search group offers help
The United Cajun Navy, a volunteer search and rescue group, has submitted a 41-page proposal to police to aid in the manhunt. The group previously offered services to the Pima County Sheriff's Department when Nancy vanished, but investigators declined external support.
