Authorities acknowledge ‘possible ransom note’ in Nancy Guthrie case: ‘Treating all leads seriously’

TUCSON, ARIZONA: Investigators searching for Nancy Guthrie, the mother of 'Today' co-host Savannah Guthrie, are reviewing reports of a possible ransom note, the Pima County Sheriff’s Department confirmed as the case intensifies.

Nancy was last seen at her Arizona home late on January 31 by her daughter, Annie, and her family reported her missing on February 1. Authorities said they are treating her disappearance as a likely crime.

Possible ransom note emerges in Nancy Guthrie case

Officials acknowledged reports of possible ransom notes tied to the investigation into Nancy Guthrie in a statement released Tuesday afternoon, February 3.

“We are aware of reports circulating about possible ransom note(s) regarding the investigation into Nancy Guthrie,” officials wrote, adding that the sheriff’s office is treating all tips and leads “very seriously.”

“Anything that comes in goes directly to our detectives who are coordinating with the FBI,” officials wrote.

The statement came minutes after TMZ reported receiving an unverified ransom note demanding a “substantial amount” of money in Bitcoin cryptocurrency in exchange for Guthrie’s return.

TMZ said it confirmed the Bitcoin address is “real” and noted that the message contained unreleased details about her disappearance. According to TMZ, the outlet contacted law enforcement because the note included a deadline.

KOLD reporter Mary Coleman also said her newsroom received what appeared to be a ransom note and turned it over to authorities. “Our newsroom also received what appears to be a ransom note, and we have sent it to law enforcement,” Coleman wrote in a statement on X.

Sheriff Chris Nanos updates ransom note probe

During a press conference on February 3, Sheriff Chris Nanos provided another update, saying investigators have processed all evidence collected from Nancy Guthrie’s home, which he described as an active crime scene. He said DNA samples taken from the residence have not produced anything “indicating the suspect.”

“The scene is done,” he said. “We’re done with the residence.” Nanos said investigators do not know what clothing Nancy may have been wearing at the time of the suspected abduction or whether she remains in the Tucson area.

“We don’t know where she is,” he said. When asked about possible ransom demands, Nanos said authorities continue to pursue every tip.

“We are following all leads we have, that’s all I can tell you,” he said. “We’ve gotten hundreds of leads.”

Speaking on NBC 'Nightly News' on February 2, Sheriff Nanos said, “We believe she was taken out of the home against her will, and that’s how this investigation is moving.”

Kash Patel confirms federal officers are aware of ransom note

FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed that federal officials are aware of a ransom note in the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie during an interview with Fox News Channel’s Bret Baier on 'Special Report', while emphasizing that local law enforcement remains in charge of the investigation.

“The local authorities notified the FBI of it, and we are working with them in any manner they choose,” Patel said. “But remember, they’re the lead right now, and we have to respect that. But we are there to help them in any way we can, on ransom notes or otherwise.”

Retired FBI special agent Jason Pack told Fox News Digital that investigators must authenticate the letters, warning that scammers often exploit families involved in missing-person cases.

“Scammers will do things that are very distasteful, like scamming the loved ones of people missing, but the police have to take it seriously until they can prove it’s not real,” Pack said. “And it ties up resources that could be devoted to an investigation.”

Anyone with information on the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie is asked to call the tipline at 1-800-CALL-FBI.