A new note has emerged in the kidnapping case of Nancy Guthrie, the mother of ‘Today’ show host Savannah Guthrie, with an anonymous individual demanding one bitcoin—approximately $66,000—for information leading to the suspect. This development underscores the ongoing investigation into her disappearance, which has captivated national attention amid a lack of concrete leads or communication from the kidnappers.
The note was received by TMZ just before 5 a.m. PST on February 11, 2026, and promptly forwarded to the FBI. According to the outlet, the sender claims to have attempted unsuccessfully to contact Guthrie’s children, Camron and Annie, via email and text. In the message, they state, ‘If they want the name of the individual involved, then I want 1 Bitcoin to the following wallet. Time is more than relevant.’ Notably, the bitcoin address provided differs from the one in previous ransom notes, suggesting a separate party may be involved.
Nancy Guthrie, 84, was last seen at her Tucson, Arizona home on January 31, 2026, after being dropped off by an Uber driver. Her disappearance was reported when she failed to attend church the next day, prompting a massive search effort. Authorities believe she was abducted overnight, as her doorbell camera disconnected around 1:47 a.m. on February 1, and her pacemaker lost connection shortly after. The case has been marked by uncertainty, with no suspects identified and no proof of life provided to her family.
In the days following her disappearance, at least two purported ransom notes were sent to media outlets, including TMZ and local Tucson stations, demanding millions in bitcoin for her safe return. Deadlines set in those notes—February 5 and 9—have passed without incident, and investigators have not verified the authenticity of the communications. The new note adds another layer of complexity, as it appears to come from someone offering information rather than the kidnapper themselves.
Law enforcement has been actively pursuing leads, with the FBI releasing surveillance images and videos on February 10 showing a masked individual armed with a gun tampering with Guthrie’s Nest camera. On February 11, a person of interest was detained in a Tucson suburb but was later released after questioning, with authorities stating no charges were filed. Additionally, the FBI found a black glove during a search about a mile and a half from Guthrie’s home, though its connection to the case remains unconfirmed.
The financial demands in the notes have drawn attention, with one bitcoin currently valued at about $66,000—surpassing the FBI’s $50,000 reward for information. This discrepancy raises questions about the motives behind the new note and whether it represents a genuine tip or a potential scam. The Guthrie family has repeatedly pleaded for information and asked for proof of life, but so far, neither has been forthcoming, heightening concerns for Nancy’s well-being.
As the investigation continues, the Pima County Sheriff’s Office reported receiving over 18,000 tips since February 1, with more than 4,000 in the last 24 hours alone, indicating sustained public interest. Authorities are following up on all leads but have not scheduled further briefings unless a significant development occurs. The case has sparked criticism of local police efforts, with some experts analogizing the investigation to ‘throwing spaghetti at the wall’ due to the lack of clear suspects.
Looking ahead, the focus remains on locating Nancy Guthrie and bringing those responsible to justice. With no confirmed communication from the kidnappers and the new note introducing uncertainty, authorities face challenges in distinguishing credible information from noise. The family’s hope persists, bolstered by the ongoing search and the relentless flow of tips, but the path forward remains uncertain as each day passes without resolution.
