Person claiming to know Nancy Guthrie's kidnapper emails demand for Bitcoin for info on her: TMZ
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Media outlet TMZ says it has received a second email from a person claiming to know the identity of Nancy Guthrie’s alleged kidnapper and the tone has grown more urgent.
The outlet had initially reported that on Wednesday, February 11, it was contacted by an individual demanding one bitcoin, worth around $67,000, in exchange for revealing the kidnapper’s name.
The same individual has allegedly sent another email to TMZ reasserting his demands on Thursday, February 12.
🚨 TMZ has received another email from the person who claims to know the identity of Nancy Guthrie's kidnapper and the words are chilling. pic.twitter.com/VmVmlnsUrT
— TMZ (@TMZ) February 12, 2026
'I am not being taken seriously', says the sender
TMZ has allegedly received a fresh email demanding a bitcoin for information on Nancy Guthrie's kidnapper.
Yesterday, TMZ said it monitored the account specified in the first email throughout the day, but no funds were deposited.
According to TMZ, a follow-up message arrived just after 8 am Pacific Time from the same sender.
In the second email, the person allegedly wrote, “I am not being taken seriously,” and included what TMZ described as ominous statements.
The outlet said it is cooperating with law enforcement and is withholding specific details from the message.
TMZ noted that the sender indicated “the situation has changed from Wednesday to Thursday,” though no further explanation was publicly disclosed.
Bitcoin demand and fear of retaliation
As for the demand for cryptocurrency, the sender reportedly claimed the money would be necessary to “lay low” after identifying the kidnapper, citing fear of retaliation.
The individual also expressed concern about being “incriminated like the deliveryman who was detained and released” in the email.
The email concluded with the sender stating this was his “final attempt to help.”
As of publication, TMZ reported that no money including bitcoin has been transferred to the account in question.
🚨 TMZ has received another email from the person who claims to know the identity of Nancy Guthrie's kidnapper and the words are chilling. pic.twitter.com/VmVmlnsUrT
— TMZ (@TMZ) February 12, 2026
New footage raises suspicions
In a separate development, TMZ founder Harvey Levin said the FBI has obtained new surveillance footage that could be linked to Nancy’s disappearance.
The video, recorded near a residence about five miles from her home, shows a man carrying one backpack and wearing another as he appears to try accessing a backyard.
Levin noted that the backpack in the man’s hand features reflective stripes that look similar to those seen on the bag worn by the suspected kidnapper outside Nancy’s home.
While the footage does not clearly show where the reflective markings are placed, he said the resemblance is notable. He also added that the bag has been identified as a Walmart backpack, a common model.
