A ransom note sent to TMZ claims that Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of TV host Savannah Guthrie, is “safe but scared” and aware of the demands for her release. The message, received two days after she was reported missing, demands millions of dollars in bitcoin and warns of serious consequences if payment is not made.
TMZ’s Harvey Levin said the note included details about the case—such as Guthrie’s Apple Watch and a damaged floodlight—that had not been publicly released, suggesting the message could be credible. Investigators are treating the note and others sent to media outlets as potential leads.
Authorities believe Guthrie was taken from her Tucson home over the weekend and may still be in the area. Her family has pleaded for proof she is alive and expressed willingness to cooperate to secure her safe return. No suspects have been identified, and the motive remains unclear.
Guthrie was last seen Saturday night. Hours later, her doorbell camera was disconnected, and early Sunday morning her pacemaker app lost connection with her phone, marking a critical point in the timeline of her disappearance.