FBI says all Nancy Guthrie ransom notes were fake, source says
The FBI has determined that all three ransom notes linked to Nancy Guthrie's disappearance are fake, a senior agency official told Reuters. Federal investigators ruled out the two February messages and a third recent note claiming to know her kidnappers, leaving the 84-year-old's whereabouts unknown nearly five months after she vanished from her Arizona home.
Nancy Guthrie, mother of NBC "Today" co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, has been missing since early February 2026. The case drew intense public attention after multiple messages purporting to be from kidnappers were delivered to media outlets. Now federal authorities say none of those communications were genuine.
Key Takeaways
- The FBI assessed all three Nancy Guthrie ransom notes as inauthentic, according to Reuters.
- Investigators linked the first two February notes to the same sender; a cryptocurrency payment test was never collected.
- A third message sent to TMZ last week, claiming video evidence of the kidnapping, was also ruled fake.
- Savannah Guthrie renewed her public plea for information, saying her family "cannot be at peace."
- The active investigation into Nancy Guthrie's disappearance continues as authorities seek credible leads.
What Did the FBI Say About the Nancy Guthrie Ransom Notes?
Speaking to Reuters on condition of anonymity, an FBI official said: "None of the ransom notes are believed to be genuine." A second law enforcement source familiar with the matter confirmed the assessment.
The ruling covers two ransom notes reported in early February, days after 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie vanished, and a third, more recent message from someone claiming to know the kidnappers' identities. All three were initially delivered to media outlets, including celebrity news site TMZ, before being turned over to authorities.
The FBI had previously declined to say publicly whether any messages under review were credible. This marks the bureau's clearest statement yet on the notes that dominated headlines for months.
What Were the Three Ransom Notes About?
According to reports cited by Reuters, the first note demanded a sum "in the millions" to be paid in cryptocurrency, with deadlines of February 5 and February 9. The second note, reported by NBC News, referred to Guthrie as having died without demanding payment for the return of her body.
Investigators determined the first two notes originated from the same sender. To test authenticity, the FBI placed a small deposit of cryptocurrency in the account associated with the first note. The money was never withdrawn, leading officials to conclude both early messages were hoaxes.
A third note sent to TMZ last week claimed the sender knew the identities of Nancy Guthrie's abductors and possessed video of the "main guy" involved, as well as footage of the victim on the day she died. The FBI official did not detail how investigators ruled out that message but confirmed it was also deemed inauthentic.
How Did Savannah Guthrie Respond to the FBI Update?
Savannah Guthrie addressed the ongoing ordeal in an emotional on-air message reported by TODAY.com. She declined to comment directly on the ransom note reports but renewed her plea for anyone with information to come forward.
"We are in agony, and we cannot be at peace," Guthrie said, according to the outlet. She urged viewers that "somebody knows something" and begged the public for help locating her mother. The Guthrie family has offered a reward of up to $1 million for information.
Earlier in the investigation, Savannah Guthrie had expressed belief that two notes her family received might be real. The FBI's latest assessment contradicts that view, though the family has consistently maintained they would pay for Nancy's safe return.
What Happens Next in the Nancy Guthrie Case?
Despite ruling the ransom notes fake, the FBI investigation into Nancy Guthrie's disappearance remains active. Authorities have released doorbell camera footage showing a masked individual outside her Tucson-area home around the time she vanished.
The case continues to rank among the highest-profile missing-person investigations in the United States. For more coverage of similar cases, see our True Crime & Unsolved Mysteries section.