FBI Confirms Nancy Guthrie Ransom Notes Were Fake, No Connection to Disappearance

The FBI confirmed on Wednesday that all three ransom notes related to the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie are fake. These notes, sent to various media outlets following her abduction, were deemed fraudulent and not connected to the case involving Savannah Guthrie's mother, who went missing on January 31.

Details of the Ransom Notes

Two ransom notes were sent to local media and to TMZ shortly after Nancy Guthrie was last seen. The first note, dated February 5, demanded two Bitcoin payments totaling millions of dollars into an anonymous account. The second note, reported last week, claimed that the 84-year-old was dead and also demanded ransom funds.

A third note sent to TMZ claimed to know the identities of Nancy Guthrie's abductors and purported to have video evidence of both the main suspect and the victim. An anonymous FBI official stated, "None of the ransom notes are believed to be genuine," confirming the agency's findings.

FBI's Investigation into the Ransom Claims

To validate the authenticity of the ransom demands, the FBI sent a small payment to the Bitcoin address provided in the first note. As of now, the funds have remained untouched, leading investigators to conclude that the notes were hoaxes. The FBI has not disclosed how they determined that the third note was also fake.

The agency emphasized that while these specific ransom notes are fraudulent, the investigation into Nancy Guthrie's disappearance remains active. The FBI's Phoenix office stated that some ransom demands may still be legitimate and are under investigation.

Impact on the Ongoing Investigation

The revelation that all three ransom notes are fake raises questions about the abduction-for-ransom theory surrounding Nancy Guthrie's disappearance. Media outlets have extensively reported on the ransom demands, and Savannah Guthrie has referenced them during her public pleas for information regarding her mother’s whereabouts.

Nancy Guthrie was reportedly in frail health and required several medications when she vanished. She last spent time with her daughter, Annie Guthrie, and son-in-law on the evening of her disappearance.

• First note demanded two Bitcoin payments on February 5 and 9.
• Second note claimed Nancy Guthrie was dead.
• Third note alleged knowledge of the kidnappers' identities.
• All notes confirmed as fraudulent by the FBI.