Investigators are actively seeking an anonymous individual who sent communications to TMZ claiming to have information about the Nancy Guthrie case, including the identity of potential kidnappers and the location of Guthrie's body. According to TMZ founder Harvey Levin, the individual used multiple male aliases but communicated using the same Bitcoin address. Investigators have recently suggested to Levin that the tipster may actually be a woman.
Levin told Fox News Digital that the purported whistleblower repeatedly claimed to possess crucial details. The FBI, which is involved in aspects of the investigation related to alleged ransom notes, declined to comment. Levin stated that investigators believe they are nearing identification of this person.
Experts suggest that human sources could be the most effective route to resolving the long-unsolved case. Josh Ritter, a California attorney and Fox News contributor, noted that individuals connected to a case, even indirectly, sometimes come forward, especially as a case gains media attention. "Whatever forensic work they had to do, whatever work with the DNA, they've probably done that and seen it to its limit and it's not turning up anything," Ritter said. "So in my view, the best chances this thing has is somebody says something."
TMZ received alleged ransom demands in connection with the Guthrie case, followed by messages from someone claiming to have information. Levin mentioned he had offered to pay the tipster for information as part of a planned documentary, but the individual requested that TMZ pause the documentary production. Levin stated that TMZ agreed not to proceed without the tipster's approval to avoid interfering with the investigation.
While digital forensics have not yielded leads on the sender of the ransom notes, Levin shared that FBI sources believe the case may be solved through traditional detective work and the possibility of a co-conspirator speaking out. "They're frustrated because they have put a lot of effort into tracking down whoever wrote these ransom notes to no avail, and I was talking to this person today from the FBI and this is the second time this person said this to me, that the likelihood is this case is going to be solved in six months, a year, two years," Levin said.
Guthrie's daughter, Savannah Guthrie, has publicly renewed appeals for information, emphasizing the ongoing agony her family experiences. Ritter expressed hope that these pleas will reach the right individual. He believes that "there's somebody out there who is either directly involved or has come to learn who was involved after the fact. And with that many mouths out there, somebody's going to have a hard time keeping their mouth shut, and somebody's going to brag. Somebody's going to say something when they get in trouble."
Authorities are offering a combined reward of over $1.2 million for information that leads to solving the case. Tips can be submitted anonymously to Tucson's Crime Stoppers at 1-520-882-7463 or by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI.