Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos is pushing back on the newest claim in the Nancy Guthrie case, calling a letter sent to TMZ "another one of those" fake ransom notes that have plagued the investigation for months.
The letter, received Friday, came from someone who has contacted the outlet before. The writer claimed two people were involved in Guthrie's disappearance and said a phone in a secure location holds video of both the suspect and Guthrie from what the note called "the day that was probably her last." TMZ forwarded the letter to the FBI.
Speaking on Tucson's KVOI AM 1030 The Buckmaster Show, Nanos didn't hedge. "I think the FBI has done a number of arrests for false or fake ransom notes. I think we're looking at another one of those today with what's been reported. But we'll let the FBI do their work," he said.
He added that the bureau is reviewing two prior notes for possible legitimacy, but called further comment "inappropriate" while that review is ongoing.
Nanos said cases that draw heavy public attention tend to attract bad actors hoping to exploit it, noting the toll false leads take on Guthrie's neighborhood, where several YouTubers have already been arrested for disruptive behavior near her home.
Five months after Nancy Guthrie vanished from her Tucson home, no suspect has been named and no body recovered. Through every twist, her family's faith has remained public and steady - Savannah Guthrie recently telling Today viewers, "We feel your prayers," a reminder that for the Guthries, hope hasn't run out, even when the leads do.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or Tucson's 88-Crime tip line at 520-882-7463.
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