The disappearance of Nancy Guthrie has entered a volatile new phase after anonymous messages sent to media outlets claimed the missing Arizona woman is alive in Mexico and offered information in exchange for cryptocurrency, according to reports reviewed by authorities including the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
The communications, first reported by TMZ, included a demand for bitcoin payment tied to alleged knowledge of Guthrie's whereabouts and the identity of those responsible for her disappearance. The case, which began with her reported abduction from Tucson, Arizona, in February, has drawn heightened attention following these claims.
In one message sent after coverage on "TMZ Live," the anonymous sender wrote: "I saw her alive with them in the state of Sonora Mexico." The location cited-Sonora-borders Arizona and has become a focal point for investigators assessing cross-border leads.
The timing of the correspondence coincided with renewed public visibility of the case, including the return of Savannah Guthrie to NBC's "TODAY," though no direct connection between the broadcast and the sender has been established.
Authorities have not confirmed the authenticity of the claims. The FBI, which has been briefed on the messages, has expressed skepticism, particularly given inconsistencies between communications. An earlier note from the same sender reportedly stated that Guthrie "is dead," directly contradicting the later claim that she is alive.
The sender acknowledged law enforcement doubts in the initial message, writing: "It's unbelievable that millions have been wasted and yet here I am willing to deliver them on a silver platter since the 11th of february for a bitcoin but I am disregarded as a scam ... they are free and the case is frozen but the ego's remain hot when it comes to me. Arrogance at it's finest."
The proposed arrangement outlined in the messages included a staged payment structure:
- Half a bitcoin upfront in exchange for preliminary information
- The remaining half after a confirmed arrest linked to the case
The sender also attempted to distance themselves from the crime, claiming to have been outside the United States for more than five years and asserting no involvement in the alleged kidnapping. In a subsequent message, they wrote: "I just want whats fair and to live peacefully with enough to start my life again quietly with out having to join a witness protection program."
Local authorities have responded cautiously. A representative for the Pima County Sheriff's Office said: "All tips and leads are being taken seriously and are forwarded directly to our detectives, who are coordinating with the FBI."
Despite the unusual nature of the claims, investigators have not indicated any plans to engage with the payment demand. Officials typically treat ransom communications with caution, particularly when anonymity, cryptocurrency, and conflicting statements are involved.
