The mysterious disappearance of 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie from her Tucson home on January 31 has taken a perplexing turn following the delivery of ransom notes to media outlets. The notes, which have now become central to the investigation, demand a hefty sum for Guthrie's safe return, and have prompted expert analysis and a family plea.
KGUN9 reporter JJ McKinney confirmed that his station, along with two other media organizations, received the ransom note over the past weekend. The letter, demanding $6 million in bitcoin with strict deadlines, warned of an increase in the ransom from $4 million if the initial Thursday deadline was missed. The new deadline was set for the following Monday at 5 p.m. local time.
"We received your message, and we understand," said Savannah Guthrie. "We beg you now to return our mother to us so that we can celebrate with her."
Nancy Guthrie's children, including "Today" show co-host Savannah Guthrie, expressed their distress and willingness to comply with the payment in a video statement. They implored the kidnappers to return their mother so they could "celebrate with her" and find peace.
However, the authenticity of the ransom notes is in question. Law enforcement has not confirmed their legitimacy, nor is there proof of life or confirmation that the kidnappers indeed hold Nancy Guthrie. The notes contain intimate details of her residence, which lends some credibility, but skepticism remains.
Former FBI agent Michael Harrigan raised concerns about the ransom note's language, particularly the currency designation "USD," which might suggest an international scam. This detail, Harrigan suggested, could point to perpetrators outside the United States, as a domestic kidnapper would likely not specify the currency.
As the search for Guthrie entered its eighth day, investigators were seen probing a septic tank on her property without finding any evidence. The investigation also extended to the home of Nancy's daughter and son-in-law, Annie and Tommaso Cioni, who were among the last to see her. Despite unconfirmed reports labeling Cioni as a suspect, law enforcement has not ruled out anyone connected to Nancy.
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos emphasized the thorough nature of the investigation, stating that everyone involved is considered a suspect until proven otherwise, and acknowledged the family's cooperation.
Adding to the urgency, television personality Jesse Watters tweeted about the expiration of the first ransom note deadline and the release of a second video by the family. A third ransom note, according to Watters, included no proof of life, prompting the FBI to deploy task force specialists and set a $50,000 operation in motion.
As the situation develops, the authorities continue their search efforts, with the community and nation closely watching for any breakthroughs that could lead to Nancy Guthrie's safe return.
