A media outlet has claimed they have been sent a ransom note regarding the disappearance of Savannah Guthrie’s mother Nancy.
The TV presenter’s mother, 84, went missing in the night from her home in Arizona. She was reported missing on Sunday after she failed to attend church.
The Pima County Sheriff has said this week that they are in a ‘race against time’ to find Nancy, with the authorities confirming they believe she was taken ‘against her will’.
An alleged ransom note ‘demanding payment for the release of Nancy Guthrie’ has now reportedly been forwarded to the Pima County Sheriff after it was received on Tuesday, February 3.
TMZ reported they received the note, which is said to ‘demand a specific substantial amount of Bitcoin’ as a ransom payment.
The publication reported: ‘The amount is in the millions, and the note demands the cryptocurrency be sent to a specific Bitcoin address.’
They added that the Bitcoin address cited is an authentic one, but the publication has not verified whether the alleged ransom note is authentic or a hoax.
‘There is a deadline connected to the alleged ransom,’ the publication reported, ‘and an element of “or else”.
‘We forwarded the alleged ransom demand to the Pima County Sheriff.’
The department subsequently shared a statement to their account on X, reading: ‘We are aware of reports circulating about possible ransom note(s) regarding the investigation into Nancy Guthrie.
‘We are taking all tips and leads very seriously. Anything that comes in, goes directly to our detectives who are coordinating with the FBI.’
Before the investigation entered its fourth day as of Wednesday, the Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos spoke about the case at a press conference, confirming that the force did not believe Nancy had willingly left her home.
Nanos has also said that possible DNA evidence was found at the crime scene.
The police sheriff said: ‘At this point, investigators believe she was taken from the home against her will, possibly in the middle of the night. Taken against her will includes possible kidnapping or abduction.’
He went on: ‘This is an 84-year-old lady who suffers from some physical ailments, has some physical challenges and is in need of medication – medication that if she doesn’t have in 24 hours, could be fatal.’
‘If she is alive, she needs her medication and it’s been well over 24 hours. That in itself could be fatal, and that’s scary.’
Metro contacted the Pima County Sheriff Department and Savanna Guthrie’s representative for comment.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
