Authorities addressed reports of a “possible ransom note” after Savannah Guthrie’s mom, Nancy Guthrie, went missing.
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department released a statement Tuesday saying they are “aware of reports circulating about a possible ransom note(s) regarding the investigation into Nancy Guthrie.”
“We are taking all tips and leads very seriously,” the statement continued. “Anything that comes in, goes directly to our detectives who are coordinating with the FBI.”
TMZ received the alleged note demanding the payout in exchange for Nancy’s release, the outlet reported Tuesday.
The issuer of the note allegedly demanded an amount of Bitcoin in the millions and asked that the cryptocurrency be sent to a specific Bitcoin address. TMZ reported that the Bitcoin address “is real.”
A deadline for the ransom to be delivered was allegedly included in the note, with a threatening message, “or else.”
The note allegedly also mentions an item of clothing that Nancy was wearing as well as something that had been damaged in her house after she went missing.
TMZ confirmed that they have forwarded the ransom note to the Pima County Sheriff.
Earlier Tuesday, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos revealed in a press conference that they weren’t ruling out a ransom note.
“We’re following all leads we have,” Nanos told reporters, adding, “We are sharing all of our leads with the FBI.”
Nancy, who has been missing since Sunday, was last seen at her Tucson-area home on Saturday night at around 9:30 p.m. when she was dropped off after having dinner with her family.
Savannah’s sister, Annie Guthrie, was the last person to see their mother before she went missing.
Investigators believe Nancy, 84, was “taken from the home against her will, possibly in the middle of the night,” authorities told Page Six.
“That includes possible kidnapping or abduction,” the spokesperson said at the time.
Nancy was reported missing at around 11 a.m., on Sunday after she failed to show up at church.
Police confirmed that they were treating her home as a “crime scene.”
“We believe now, after we process that crime scene, that we do, in fact, have a crime scene, and we’re asking the community’s help,” Nanos said in a press conference Monday.
Blood was allegedly found outside of Nancy’s home, though it’s unclear whose blood it was.
Nancy, who has high blood pressure, needs vital daily medication to survive.
On Monday, Savannah’s family told the “Today” show in a statement: “We can confirm this is a missing persons case, and the family is working closely with local law enforcement.
“If anyone has any information, please contact the Pima County Sheriff’s Department at 520-351-4900. The family is grateful for the outreach, thoughts and prayers.”
Savannah is set to drop out of hosting the 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony for NBC as the desperate search for her mom continues.
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