The FBI has determined that all three ransom notes linked to the disappearance of 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie are fraudulent, according to a report from Reuters. The agency's assessment, shared by an anonymous official, raises questions about whether Guthrie was actually kidnapped for ransom.
Guthrie, the mother of NBC News' Savannah Guthrie, vanished from her home near Tucson, Arizona, on January 31. Two ransom notes were reported in February, with a third message received by TMZ.com last week. The FBI reviewed all three messages and concluded they were not genuine. The first two notes demanded millions in cryptocurrency with deadlines of February 5 and February 9, while the third message claimed to know the kidnappers' identities.
The FBI did not immediately respond to requests for additional comment. Pima County Sheriff's spokesperson Angelica Carrillo stated that the investigation remains active. Savannah Guthrie has publicly expressed hope that her mother is alive and vowed to continue the search.
Deeper Dive & Context
Investigative Details
The FBI's assessment that the notes are fake has not been publicly confirmed, and the agency has not disclosed the specific evidence used to determine their inauthenticity. The notes were sent to various media outlets, including TMZ.com, and were turned over to authorities for review.
Competing Perspectives
Some investigators reportedly remain cautious about dismissing the notes entirely, according to Fox News. An unnamed FBI official told TMZ that some investigators view the demands as "more legitimate than not." However, other sources close to the investigation have expressed confidence that the notes are bogus.
Family Response
Savannah Guthrie has been vocal about her family's efforts to locate her mother. In a video message, she expressed a desire for direct communication with the kidnappers and willingness to pay the ransom. The family has repeatedly appealed for information from the public.
Ongoing Investigation
Authorities have not publicly confirmed the legitimacy of any of the messages. The case remains unsolved five months after Guthrie's disappearance. Surveillance footage released by the FBI shows a masked man outside her home on the night she vanished, and drops of her blood were found on her front porch.
The Pima County Sheriff's Department is leading the investigation, with the FBI assisting in the review of the ransom notes. The family continues to seek answers and has not given up hope of finding Nancy Guthrie alive.