Latest Nancy Guthrie Ransom Note Issues New Demand
A new ransom note has appeared in the Nancy Guthrie case, and this one is reportedly different from the previous two. Instead of coming from the alleged kidnappers and asking for money, this one is apparently from someone requesting Bitcoin in exchange for information.
TMZ reported Wednesday morning that it received the note around 5 a.m. PT today, adding that there is a "legitimate Bitcoin address" attached in the message.
Guthrie, 84, was last seen on Saturday, Jan. 31 at her home in Tucson, Arizona.
More details on new reported ransom note
TMZ's report says the author of the note claims to have tried unsuccessfully to reach Nancy Guthrie's children Camron and Annie by email and text. The two siblings are the brother and sister of Savannah Guthrie, Nancy's daughter and co-host of Today.
"If they want the name of the individual involved then I want 1 Bitcoin to the following wallet. Time is more than relevant," the note reportedly says.
The outlet has forwarded the note to the FBI.
“They said they want one bitcoin sent to a bitcoin address that we have confirmed is active. It’s a real bitcoin address, and as they put it, time is more than relevant,” TMZ's Harvey Levin said, via the New York Post. “So we have no idea whether this is real or not. But they are making a demand.”
Bitcoin vs. Reward Money
As of today, one Bitcoin is worth more than $66,000. That's more than the $50,000 reward the FBI is currently offering for information in the case.
The official FBI Most Wanted X/Twitter account announced the reward Tuesday afternoon, along with surveillance photos of a possible armed suspect in the disappearance.
"The #FBI is offering a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to the recovery of Nancy Guthrie and/or the arrest and conviction of anyone involved in her disappearance," the FBI said. "New images released today show an armed individual appearing to have tampered with the camera at Nancy Guthrie's front door the morning of her disappearance. The FBI seeks information that will lead to the identity of this individual."
Person 'detained' for questioning
On Tuesday night, the Pima County Sheriff's Department announced that a person was detained following a traffic stop in Tucson.
"The subject is currently being questioned in the Nancy Guthrie investigation," the Pima County Sheriff's Department said.
Early this morning, an Arizona man named Carlos Palazuelos said he was the person brought in for questioning and was later released.
“I hope they get the suspect. I’m not it,” Palazuelos said.