Ransom Note Allegedly Emerges in Nancy Guthrie Disappearance – New Details Fuel Kidnapping Investigation

| February 5, 2026 | Celebrity, Entertainment | No Comments

A disturbing new development has intensified the search for Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of Today co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, after reports surfaced of an alleged ransom note tied to her sudden disappearance in Arizona.

Investigators say they are actively reviewing claims involving a written demand for payment, treating the information as a potentially critical lead in what authorities believe may be a targeted abduction.

According to the Pima County Sheriff’s Department, law enforcement is aware of the circulating reports and has escalated efforts to verify their authenticity. Officials confirmed that all tips related to the alleged note are being carefully evaluated by detectives working alongside federal authorities.

In a statement posted on X, the department acknowledged public speculation surrounding a ransom message and emphasized that no lead is being dismissed as the search for Guthrie intensifies.

Alleged Bitcoin Ransom Raises Alarm

The case gained national attention after TMZ reported it had obtained a copy of an alleged ransom note early Tuesday. The outlet claims the message demanded a multi-million-dollar payment in Bitcoin in exchange for Nancy Guthrie’s safe return.

According to TMZ, the note included a functioning cryptocurrency wallet address, a strict deadline, and threatening language warning of serious consequences if the demand was not met. The publication stated it confirmed the Bitcoin address was active before immediately notifying authorities.

Even more unsettling, the alleged message reportedly referenced specific details about Guthrie’s Tucson-area home, including damage to an item inside the residence—raising concerns that the sender may have had direct access to the property.

TMZ also revealed that the note mentioned clothing Nancy was supposedly wearing, sparking concern after discrepancies were noticed between the message and publicly known information.

Sheriff Confirms Separate Ransom Communication

In a separate development, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos confirmed to CBS News that a ransom note was also sent to a local Arizona news outlet shortly after Nancy was reported missing. The station chose not to publish the contents and instead turned the message over to investigators.

Sheriff Nanos said the note contained detailed references to the home and Nancy’s appearance that night, though he stopped short of confirming whether it was legitimate.

“Like any piece of evidence, we examine it closely,” Nanos told CBS News. “If it provides a lead, we follow it.”

Search Continues as Investigation Deepens

Nancy Guthrie was reported missing over the weekend, and authorities believe she may have been taken from her home during the overnight hours. Search efforts remain ongoing, with law enforcement urging the public to avoid speculation and report any credible information directly to investigators.

As the case unfolds, officials stress that time is critical—and that every verified detail could help bring Nancy home safely.