Activity has been detected in a Bitcoin wallet linked to a ransom demand following the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of Today co-host Savannah Guthrie, who has now been missing for 10 days.
A source confirmed that a small amount of money — described as being in the “hundreds of dollars” — was transferred to the cryptocurrency wallet associated with the original ransom note.
The note had been sent to several media outlets, including KGUN and TMZ. TMZ first reported the wallet activity on Tuesday, Feb. 10. KGUN later reported the transaction totaled less than $300.
Authorities also confirmed Tuesday that an individual has been detained for questioning in connection with Nancy Guthrie’s abduction.
According to a statement from Pima County Sheriff’s Department the person was stopped during a traffic stop south of Tucson and taken into custody.
The man maintained his innocence after he was released from custody early Wednesday.
Speaking to reporters outside his home, the man — identified only as Carlos — said he was shocked when officers pulled him over during a traffic stop Tuesday and insisted he has no connection to the case.
“They held me against my will. They didn’t even read me my rights until two hours later,” he said. “I didn’t do anything … I’m innocent.”
The original ransom note was reportedly sent on the evening of Feb. 2, one day after Nancy was reported missing. The message included specific details about her home, including mention of a damaged floodlight and the location of an Apple Watch left inside the residence. The note demanded $4 million in Bitcoin by Feb. 5.
The message allegedly stated that if the initial payment was not made, the ransom would increase to $6 million, with a new deadline of Feb. 9.
After the 5 p.m. local time deadline on Feb. 9 passed, an FBI spokesperson said the agency was not aware of any continued contact between the Guthrie family and the person claiming responsibility for the kidnapping.
The reported Bitcoin activity comes after an extensive search operation earlier on Feb. 10. Multiple law enforcement agencies searched the neighborhood where Savannah Guthrie’s sister, Annie Guthrie, lives.
The search followed the release of images and video showing an armed individual believed to be connected to Nancy’s disappearance. According to Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos, the images show a masked individual wearing gloves who appears to have tampered with the victim’s doorbell camera.
Officials said the newly obtained footage shows the individual at Nancy Guthrie’s front door during the early morning hours of her disappearance.
Nancy Guthrie was last seen at her Tucson home after being dropped off by family members at 9:48 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 31. Authorities believe she was taken against her will during the early morning hours of Sunday, Feb. 1.
The investigation remains ongoing.
