FBI Determines Nancy Guthrie Kidnapping Notes To Be Fakes, Source Says
Federal investigators have determined that three ransom messages linked to the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie are inauthentic. The case remains active.
Federal investigators have formally concluded that three ransom-related messages linked to the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie are inauthentic, according to an FBI official who spoke on the matter on Tuesday, June 30. The announcement casts significant doubt on the premise that the 84-year-old was kidnapped for financial gain, a theory that had driven much of the public investigation since she vanished.
Nancy Guthrie, the mother of 54-year-old Today show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, was last seen at her home in Tucson, Arizona, on January 31. After spending the evening with her daughter, Annie Guthrie, and her son-in-law, she was dropped off at her residence. Early the next morning, doorbell camera footage captured a masked individual wearing a backpack and gloves. Shortly thereafter, the monitoring app for her pacemaker disconnected from her phone, which investigators have identified as the likely moment she was removed from the property. Blood found on her front porch was subsequently confirmed to be hers.
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A Series of Discredited Communications
The FBI’s assessment applies to three distinct messages delivered to media outlets since the onset of the case. The first two, received in early February, were widely cited at the time as potential evidence of a ransom-based abduction. According to reports, the initial message demanded a payment in cryptocurrency, setting deadlines for February 5 and February 9. A second note, which surfaced later, referred to the victim as having died. A third, more recent message sent last week, alleged the sender possessed video footage of the perpetrators and could provide their identities.
Federal investigators stated that the first two communications originated from a common source. To test their validity, the FBI deposited a small amount of cryptocurrency into the account specified in the ransom demand. Because the funds remained untouched, and based on other unspecified forensic methods, the bureau determined the sender was unconnected to the actual disappearance. The FBI official did not disclose how the third, more recent note was ruled out, though they maintained that none of the messages are considered genuine. A second law enforcement source confirmed the FBI’s assessment.
Ongoing Investigation and Outside Offers
The Pima County Sheriff's Department, which leads the overall investigation, has deferred all inquiries regarding the ransom notes to federal authorities. Spokesperson Angelica Carrillo confirmed that the case remains active, noting that DNA samples and video evidence are still undergoing forensic analysis. Previous attempts to identify a suspect through physical evidence—including a mask-wearing prowler captured on doorbell footage and a pair of gloves found near the property—did not produce a match in the national database.
Throughout the ordeal, Savannah Guthrie and her siblings have utilized social media and television appearances to plead for their mother's return. In one video appeal, the anchor stated, we will pay,
while acknowledging that the family remained in a state of agony.
The United Cajun Navy, a volunteer search-and-rescue group, had offered extensive assistance, including canine teams, drones, and thermal imaging. Brian Trascher, the group's national vice president, stated that the Pima County Sheriff’s Department declined these offers, including a detailed 41-page proposal submitted in March. In response, a department spokesperson noted that while they were grateful for the interest, they would not be utilizing external operational support.
The Guthrie family reward of $1 million and the FBI reward of $100,000 remain active.
