The FBI has reportedly concluded that three ransom notes sent during the investigation into the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie were fraudulent, including one message that falsely claimed the 84-year-old had died after being abducted.

According to Reuters, two law enforcement sources familiar with the investigation said authorities do not believe any of the three ransom communications were authentic.

“None of the ransom notes are believed to be genuine,” an anonymous FBI source told the news agency.
The FBI and the Pima County Sheriff’s Department have not publicly commented on Reuters’ report.

Nancy Guthrie, the mother of NBC Today co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, disappeared from her home in Tucson, Arizona, during the early morning hours of February 1, 2026. Her disappearance sparked a major investigation involving local authorities and the FBI.

In the weeks that followed, several ransom messages were sent to TMZ and local Arizona media outlets.

According to Reuters, investigators believe the first two ransom notes, both sent in February, originated from the same individual.

The first message demanded a cryptocurrency payment worth millions of dollars, setting payment ᴅᴇᴀᴅlines of February 5 and February 9.

A second note, previously reported by Air Mail, claimed Nancy had died following her alleged kidnapping and suggested her body could be returned in exchange for money, although no specific amount was requested.

Reuters reported that investigators tested the sender’s claims by transferring a small amount of cryptocurrency to the wallet specified in the ransom demand. Authorities said the funds were never accessed, leading investigators—along with additional evidence they have not publicly disclosed—to conclude that the sender was not connected to Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance.

A third ransom communication, reportedly received by TMZ last week, claimed the sender possessed video footage showing Nancy with her alleged kidnapper. However, Reuters reported that the FBI also determined this message to be fraudulent, although investigators have not explained how they reached that conclusion.

Earlier this week, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos also expressed skepticism about the latest ransom message during an interview with local radio station KVOI AM 1030.

“I think the FBI has done a number of arrests for false or fake ransom notes,” Nanos said. “It’s a shame that that happens, but I think we’re looking at another one of those today.”
He added that false ransom claims create unnecessary suffering for victims’ families and disrupt ongoing investigations.

Despite the fraudulent communications, investigators continue to operate under the belief that Nancy Guthrie may still be alive.

The FBI, under Director Kash Patel, is offering a reward of up to $100,000 for information leading to Nancy’s whereabouts or those responsible for her disappearance.

After taking a two-month leave from NBC’s Today following her mother’s disappearance, Savannah Guthrie recently returned to the program and made another emotional appeal for help.

Speaking about the false ransom message that claimed her mother had died, she told viewers that her family remains in deep anguish.

“We cannot be at peace,” Savannah said. “No matter how small, the reward is there. You can tell us, it can be anonymous. Please do the right thing.”
As of July 3, 2026, Nancy Guthrie remains missing, and authorities continue to urge anyone with credible information to come forward as the investigation remains active.

Source: Page Six