The family of Savannah Guthrie, co-anchor of NBC’s “Today” show, is facing a rapidly approaching deadline in a harrowing kidnapping case. An apparent ransom note demands $6 million in Bitcoin by , according to sources who have reviewed the communication.
Nancy Guthrie, 84, was abducted from her Tucson, Arizona home nine days ago. Law enforcement officials and the Guthrie family are increasingly concerned for her well-being, particularly as she requires essential medication that she does not have with her. Savannah Guthrie, alongside her siblings, publicly pleaded for her mother’s safe return over the weekend, stating the family is prepared to meet the kidnappers’ demands.
“We received your message, and we understand,” Savannah Guthrie said in a video posted to social media on Saturday, appearing with her brother and sister. “We beg you now to return our mother to us so that One can celebrate with her. This is the only way we will have peace. This is very valuable to us, and we will pay.”
The credibility of the ransom note appears to be bolstered by specific details included within it. Sources familiar with the investigation, speaking on condition of anonymity, indicated the note referenced a damaged piece of property and the precise location of an accessory within the Guthrie home – details only someone with inside knowledge would likely know.
This isn’t the first deadline presented by the alleged abductors. The FBI has confirmed the existence of a previous deadline, set for . However, Harvey Levin, founder of TMZ, who received a copy of the note, described the Monday deadline as “far more consequential.” TMZ reported receiving the note via email, with measures taken to ensure anonymity. Levin emphasized the carefully crafted nature of the communication, suggesting a level of sophistication among those involved.
While authorities are taking the ransom demands seriously, the investigation remains ongoing with no suspects currently named. The timeline of events leading up to Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance is becoming clearer. She was last seen by family members shortly after , coinciding with the opening and closing of her garage door. Approximately four hours later, at , her doorbell camera disconnected. An empty frame for the camera had been previously noted by investigators.
Further complicating the situation, a motion sensor on the property detected activity at , though the specific camera that captured the movement remains unidentified and the footage has not been recovered. Shortly after, at , Nancy Guthrie’s pacemaker app registered a disconnection, indicating she had left the residence, leaving her phone behind.
Family members discovered Nancy Guthrie missing the following morning, , after she failed to attend church. They immediately contacted 911.
Beyond the immediate threat to her safety, the family has expressed concern over Nancy Guthrie’s health. Savannah Guthrie revealed her mother suffers from chronic pain and relies on medication to manage her condition. “She lives in constant pain. She is without any medicine,” she stated in her public appeal. “She needs it to survive and she needs it not to suffer.”
The demand for ransom in Bitcoin raises questions about the kidnappers’ intent to obscure their identities. However, experts suggest that while Bitcoin offers a degree of anonymity, transactions are recorded on a public blockchain, providing a potential trail for law enforcement to follow. Ari Redbord, global head of policy at TRM Labs, a firm specializing in crypto fraud and crime investigation, explained that every Bitcoin transaction is logged and immutable, allowing investigators to trace funds and potentially identify the wallet holder. Blockchain analysis can also reveal if a wallet has been linked to previous illicit activities, such as ransomware attacks.
As the deadline looms, the Guthrie family and law enforcement officials are working against the clock, hoping for a swift and safe resolution to this increasingly desperate situation. The lack of any “proof of life” offered by the abductors continues to fuel anxiety and uncertainty.
