The person at the center of recent reports about ransom demands in the Nancy Guthrie case is disputing claims about the contents of a ransom note. Harvey Levin, in a video posted on TMZ’s YouTube channel, stated he had previously undisclosed communications with the FBI. He clarified that the received ransom note did not apologize to Savannah Guthrie’s family or mention that Nancy had passed away.
According to Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos, who leads the case, the FBI has overseen the investigation involving various ransom demands since its inception. The FBI has not yet commented on the recent reports.
A billboard for missing person Nancy Guthrie is displayed in Phoenix, Arizona, as she has been unaccounted for since early February.
Levin emphasized that the notes sent to TMZ only mentioned that Nancy was scared but okay, and did not reference her death or any apologies from the alleged kidnappers.
In addition to TMZ, local media outlets received ransom messages through online tips. Some claimed Nancy was deceased and buried, as reported by ABC News. A federal law enforcement source confirmed to Fox News Digital that the FBI tested these demands by depositing small bitcoin amounts into a crypto wallet to assess their authenticity. The credibility of these notes remains unclear.
Authorities have considered a scenario known as a “wrench attack,” suggesting a mastermind hacker overseas may have coordinated with local criminals to kidnap Nancy, aiming to extort her daughter, “Today” co-host Savannah Guthrie.
Twenty weeks have passed since Nancy was suspected of being abducted from her Tucson home. Her location is still unknown. Levin mentioned receiving emails from someone claiming to know details about Nancy’s situation, demanding money for information. Initially, the person claimed urgency in solving the case, but later implied Nancy was no longer alive.
This individual requested $100,000 for tips, much less than the $4 million demanded in the ransom. Levin mentioned the person feared implication due to a past burglary and his acquaintance with the kidnappers.
Attempts to resolve the case by offering money were halted when the FBI ceased communication with sources from TMZ. No money was paid to the individual requesting funds.
Individuals with information about Nancy Guthrie’s case are urged to call 1-800-CALL-FBI. A reward over $1.2 million is available for any information leading to the case’s resolution. Tips can be reported anonymously to Tucson’s Crime Stoppers at 1-520-882-7463.