Federal investigators have concluded that all three messages claiming to be connected to the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie were fabricated, marking a significant development in the investigation into the missing mother of Today co-host Savannah Guthrie.
FBI Determination on Ransom Notes
According to Reuters, the FBI has determined that two purported ransom notes circulated in February, along with a more recent message claiming to identify Nancy Guthrie's abductors, were not genuine communications from anyone involved in her disappearance. The assessment was confirmed by an FBI official who spoke on condition of anonymity because the investigation remains active. A second law enforcement source familiar with the case also confirmed the findings.
The conclusion raises fresh questions about one of the central assumptions surrounding the case. The earlier messages had fueled speculation that Nancy Guthrie had been abducted for ransom, but investigators now believe none of the communications came from those responsible for her disappearance.
Details of the Disappearance
Nancy Guthrie, 84, was last seen at her Tucson, Arizona home on January 31 after spending the evening with family members. She was reported missing the following day, prompting a major investigation led by the Pima County Sheriff's Department with assistance from the FBI.
The sheriff's department declined to comment on the FBI's latest assessment, referring inquiries regarding the ransom notes to federal authorities. A spokesperson said only that the investigation remains active and confirmed that DNA samples and video evidence collected during the inquiry are still undergoing forensic examination.
Analysis of the Messages
According to the FBI official, investigators determined that the first two ransom notes originated from the same sender. The first message reportedly demanded a multimillion-dollar cryptocurrency payment and included deadlines for transferring the funds. The second message, which surfaced months later, reportedly claimed that Nancy Guthrie had died but did not demand additional payment.
In an effort to test whether the initial communication was authentic, the FBI transferred a small amount of cryptocurrency into the digital wallet identified in the first note. Investigators said the funds remained untouched, strengthening their conclusion that the sender was not connected to Nancy Guthrie's disappearance. Officials have not disclosed all of the methods used to determine the notes were fabricated.
A third message, received more recently, claimed the sender knew the identities of the kidnappers and possessed video evidence connected to the case. Federal investigators have also determined that communication was false, although they have not publicly explained how they reached that conclusion.
Family Appeals and Reward
Savannah Guthrie has repeatedly appealed for information since her mother's disappearance. In social media videos released earlier this year, she and her siblings pleaded for anyone responsible to establish direct contact with the family, stating they were prepared to pay for Nancy Guthrie's safe return. More recently, Guthrie urged viewers during Today to come forward with any information and reminded the public that her family is offering a $1 million reward for information leading to answers about her mother's fate.
Forensic Evidence and Ongoing Investigation
Authorities previously confirmed that blood discovered on Nancy Guthrie's front porch matched her DNA. Investigators also released surveillance footage showing an armed individual wearing a ski mask tampering with her doorbell camera shortly before she disappeared. A glove recovered near the property was examined, but DNA obtained from it failed to match profiles contained in the national database.
Although the FBI has now ruled out the widely publicized messages as hoaxes, investigators continue to pursue forensic evidence and other leads. Officials have stressed that the disappearance remains an active investigation, and no arrests have been announced as authorities continue searching for answers in the high-profile case.
