FBI Investigates Ransom Notes in Nancy Guthrie Kidnapping Case

The FBI announced on July 1, 2026, that some ransom notes related to the Nancy Guthrie kidnapping investigation may be legitimate, while others are considered to be false. The FBI stated, "Some have been deemed to be extortion attempts without legitimacy. Other ransom demands may potentially be legitimate and are still being investigated as such." This statement contrasts with a previous report from Reuters, which indicated that none of the ransom notes were believed to be genuine. The investigation, which is being led by local authorities in Pima County, Arizona, continues to seek information regarding the abduction of the 84-year-old Guthrie from her home on February 1. During the investigation, multiple ransom notes were sent demanding payment in bitcoin and included alarming details about Guthrie's condition. A recent report suggested that one note implied Guthrie may be deceased. Savannah Guthrie, a host on the "Today" show, expressed the family's ongoing distress regarding the situation. Additionally, TMZ reported receiving an email containing a password for a phone with information about Guthrie's disappearance, with the sender requesting bitcoin in exchange for the password. A reward of over $1 million remains available for information leading to Guthrie's recovery, and tips can be submitted to 1-800-CALL-FBI.