Possible ransom note demands millions in crypto for release of Savannah’s mom, Nancy Guthrie as officials refuse to comment on whether ransom note is real or a hoax and who may have abducted her and why? New revelations include blood found in walkway, missing ring doorbell camera, and Apple products stop syncing to mom’s pacemaker.
In the latest developments in the purported abduction of TV star, Savannah Guthrie’s mom from her Tucson, Arizona home is a ‘potential’ ransom note sent to TMZ on Tuesday with the supposed kidnappers demanding millions of dollars in Bitcoin for her safe return.
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department said it was aware of ‘possible random note(s) circulating’ — but did not confirm the legitimacy of the demand.
The note to TMZ provided a deadline for the ransom payment, and implied something would befall the ‘Today’ show host’s 84-year-old mother, Nancy, if payment wasn’t made.
The revelation comes hours after Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos refused to confirm or deny whether any ransom demand had been received in the case – along with police declining to confirm whether the TMZ note was real or sent by a hoaxer.
‘We are aware of reports circulating about possible ransom note(s) regarding the investigation,’ Nanos said in a statement according to the outlet. ‘We are taking all tips and leads very seriously.’
Missing ring doorbell camera and splattered blood
Also of disconcert was a shared photo of the ‘crime scene’ which shows blood splattered on the walkway. The image showed blood puddled just feet from the doorstep from Nancy Guthrie’s $1million Tucson, Arizona home and the Ring doorbell camera missing.
It was unclear whether the Ring camera had been removed prior to the 84-year-old’s abduction.
Nancy Guthrie was taken from her Tucson, Arizona home after being dropped off by Savannah’s sister around 9:30 p.m. Saturday. She was then reported missing Sunday morning after she failed to show up for church.
The ransom note supposedly included details about the crime scene left behind at Nancy’s home, including a working Bitcoin address for funds to be sent to.
Nancy is believed to have been abducted from her home, police previously revealed, with the motive for the TV star’s mom alleged kidnapping not immediately clear.
Press conference vague answers, missing electronics, synched pacemaker stopped working
During a press conference on Tuesday afternoon, Sheriff Nanos refused to answer if ransom demands had been made, offering vaguely, ‘We have all kinds of investigative leads we’re working on. Anything that comes in, goes directly to our detectives who are coordinating with the FBI.’
The sheriff also addressed reports that a doorbell camera had been removed from Nancy’s home, saying that it was unclear if it had been removed before Nancy’s abduction.
Nanos added that no strange cars had been seen in the area around the time of Nancy’s kidnapping and that no tire tracks were found.
Nanos said authorities had no information to provide as to Nancy’s clothing or a car she may have been abducted in.
Authorities previously described the case as that of a ‘crime scene,’ pointing to evidence that indicated ‘forced entry’ into the home.
Nancy’s electronic devices – items she would normally leave the house with – were also found left behind, including her phone, wallet and car. Nancy who had an implanted pacemaker lost contact with the Apple products belonging to the 84-year-old grandmother around 2 a.m., Sunday morning, suggesting she would have been taken from the home around that time.
Also left behind were vital medications the 84-year-old needs to take every 24 hours. Coming up on 4 days disappearing, implied life or death consequences.
Nanos said repeatedly that investigators do not know where Nancy is, and he was unable to offer insight into a possible suspect or suspects or why she had been abducted.
