Multiple news organizations received what appears to be a ransom demand on Tuesday connected to the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of NBC’s ‘TODAY’ Show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie.
The demands called for several million dollars in cryptocurrency in exchange for her release.
TMZ was among the first outlets to report receiving the message, which demanded payment in Bitcoin.
Other news organizations, including KOLD News in Tucson, Arizona, subsequently confirmed they had received similar communications.
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department acknowledged awareness of the documents circulating but stopped short of confirming their authenticity.
Sheriff Chris Nanos addressed the situation in an official statement.
“We are aware of reports circulating about possible ransom notes regarding the investigation,” Nanos said. “We are taking all tips and leads very seriously.”
The sheriff confirmed that all incoming information is being forwarded directly to detectives who are working in coordination with the FBI.
Authorities believe Nancy Guthrie was taken from her Tucson residence sometime between the late hours of Jan. 31 and the early morning hours of Feb. 1.
Mary Coleman, a news anchor at KOLD, posted on X that her newsroom had also received what appeared to be a ransom demand.
Coleman stated the note had been forwarded to law enforcement and that she would be working the story in the field.
“Our newsroom also received what appears to be a ransom note, and we have sent it to law enforcement. I will be out in the field working on this story and speaking with officials tonight and will share any info we confirm,” Coleman wrote.
According to TMZ’s reporting, the ransom note included a specific deadline for the payment to be made.
The letter reportedly referenced particular details about the scene at Nancy Guthrie’s residence and provided an active Bitcoin wallet address where the funds were to be deposited.
Nancy Guthrie was last seen on Saturday evening when Savannah’s sister drove her home at approximately 9:30 pm.
Police examining her residence have indicated signs pointing to a violent abduction during the nighttime hours.
During a Tuesday press conference, Sheriff Nanos declined to discuss potential motives or address whether an extortion element exists in the case.
When questioned by reporters, he provided limited information about the direction of the investigation.
“We have all kinds of investigative leads we’re working on,” Nanos told the press.
Evidence at the scene has raised additional concerns about Nancy Guthrie’s wellbeing.
Electronic devices necessary for coordinating with her pacemaker were left behind at the home, Resist the Mainstream reported Tuesday.
The Ring doorbell camera that had been installed outside the front door was reportedly removed from the property.
This detail has become significant to investigators piecing together the timeline of events.
The electronic devices that sync with Nancy Guthrie’s pacemaker reportedly stopped functioning around 2 am, leading authorities to believe this may indicate when she was removed from the residence.
Medical concerns have intensified the urgency of the search.
Nancy Guthrie requires daily medication to survive, and she has been without those prescriptions since her disappearance.
