The disappearance of 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie, mother of Today show co-host Savannah Guthrie, has taken a dramatic turn after what appears to be a bitcoin ransom demand surfaced amid a widespread and intensifying investigation into her possible kidnapping.
Late Tuesday, entertainment news site TMZ reported that it had received an alleged ransom note demanding a specific, substantial payment in Bitcoin — reportedly in the millions — in exchange for Guthrie’s safe return.
The note contained a deadline for payment and a threat of damages if the demand was not met, and was sent with a Bitcoin wallet address, which TMZ confirmed to be a genuine on-chain account.
The alleged ransom note also referenced specific details about Nancy Guthrie’s clothing and damage to her Tucson-area home.
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos confirmed that law enforcement is aware of reports of possible ransom notes circulating in the investigation, but stressed that the authenticity of those notes has not been verified.
Authorities stressed that they are taking all tips and leads seriously and are coordinating with the FBI on the case.
The Nancy Guthrie kidnapping investigation
Nancy Guthrie was reported missing on Feb. 1 after failing to show up for church in her Catalina Foothills neighborhood.
Authorities believe she was taken from her home sometime late Saturday night or early Sunday morning. Evidence collected at the scene has raised serious concerns: signs of forced entry, a trail of blood outside the home and personal effects left behind suggest foul play rather than a voluntary disappearance.
Sheriff Nanos, while declining to reveal the number of possible suspects or further details of the investigation, has said the absence of life-sustaining medication and Guthrie’s limited mobility make her safe return a priority.
The FBI is assisting local authorities and investigators are interviewing friends, neighbors and family members as part of a broad search effort.
Guthrie’s daughter, Savannah, has taken a leave of absence effective immediately Today show duties and canceled scheduled appearances, including travel to the 2026 Winter Olympics broadcast, to focus on her family’s search.
Despite the viral nature of the ransom demand, law enforcement sources have been cautious: no official confirmation that the ransom note came from the actual kidnappers.
Some investigators and analysts have noted that opportunistic hoaxes can occur in high-profile cases and that media receiving such memos should treat them with skepticism until they are confirmed by police.