Federal investigators have determined that three messages submitted in relation to the disappearance of Savannah Guthrie’s mother, Nancy Guthrie, are fake, an FBI official told Reuters. The assessment of inauthenticity applies to two ransom notes and a third message from someone claiming to know the kidnappers' identities.
"None of the ransom notes are believed to be genuine," the FBI official stated, speaking on condition of anonymity as the investigation is active. A second law enforcement source familiar with the matter corroborated the FBI's findings regarding the ransom notes.
The FBI's conclusion raises questions about the initial premise that Nancy Guthrie, 84, was abducted for ransom. The Pima County Sheriff’s Department, which is leading the investigation, declined to comment on the ransom notes, deferring inquiries to the FBI. The department stated that DNA samples and video evidence are still undergoing forensic analysis.
Nancy Guthrie vanished from her home in Tucson, Arizona, on January 31. All three messages were initially delivered to media outlets, including TMZ.com, before being turned over to authorities. Savannah Guthrie, a co-anchor of NBC's "Today" show, had previously referenced ransom demands in public appeals, offering to pay for her mother's safe return.
The FBI, which took the lead in examining communications, had previously not commented on the credibility of the messages. Investigators determined that the first two notes originated from the same sender. According to TMZ, the first note demanded a cryptocurrency payment in the millions and set deadlines of February 5 and February 9. The second note, reported by NBC News, stated that Guthrie had died without demanding payment for the return of her body.
In an attempt to verify the first note and potentially trace the perpetrators, the FBI deposited a small amount of cryptocurrency into an account as instructed. However, the funds were never claimed. This, along with other unspecified methods, led the FBI to conclude that the notes, despite originating from a common source, were not from individuals connected to Guthrie’s disappearance.
The FBI also discounted a third note, reportedly received by TMZ from an individual claiming to have knowledge of the kidnappers' identities and video evidence of the main perpetrator and the victim. The FBI official did not disclose the reasoning behind this determination.
Savannah Guthrie later appeared on "Today" to appeal for public assistance, reminding viewers of the $1 million reward offered by her family. Authorities had previously confirmed that blood found on Nancy Guthrie's porch matched her DNA. Surveillance footage released in February showed an armed individual tampering with the doorbell camera at Nancy Guthrie's home shortly before her disappearance. DNA from a glove found near the home did not match any profiles in national databases.
"We are still blowing on the embers of hope that she is alive, while also acknowledging that she may already be gone," Savannah Guthrie had said regarding her mother's fate.