Investigators in the Nancy Guthrie case took less than a day to reject a new possible ransom text, and they haven't said exactly why. Here is what has been reported.
The Pima County Sheriff's Department and the FBI's Guthrie Task Force said they were made aware of the message on Monday, September 28. On Tuesday, September 29, the department said that "after further review," investigators determined the text is not credible. It stressed that the investigation remains active and ongoing.
The department also warned that scammers may try to take advantage of the case, and asked anyone who receives a message tied to Nancy to report it to law enforcement.
According to Newsweek, a woman who said she knew Nancy posted on Facebook that she received a demand for six bitcoin, roughly $500,000, along with a video she believed was AI-generated. TMZ, citing law enforcement sources, reported that investigators found it suspicious that a legitimate ransom demand would go to a friend nearly eight months after Nancy disappeared.
Retired FBI agent Jennifer Coffindaffer said she also believes the message is not legitimate. She revealed she received a similar bitcoin demand in April, with an AI-generated image of Nancy, and gave it to the FBI. She believes the two are linked, though that is her opinion, not an official finding.
Nancy, 84, the mother of "Today" co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, was last seen January 31 and reported missing the next day. No suspect has been named, and a reward of more than $1.2 million remains active.
Through the long wait, the Guthrie family has continued to lean on prayer.
Related Articles:
- What We Know About the Possible New Ransom Note, and What Investigators Still Don't
- New Ransom Text Says She's Alive in Mexico, Sheriff Says It's Not Credible
