Third Encrypted Message Demands Bitcoin for Nancy Guthrie Info

A chilling new development has emerged in the ongoing investigation into the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of NBC anchor Savannah Guthrie. TMZ, the celebrity news outlet, allegedly received a third encrypted message on Wednesday, demanding one Bitcoin in exchange for information about the suspect seen near Guthrie's Tucson home the night she vanished. The note, reportedly sent before 5 a.m. Pacific Time, claimed the sender had attempted—and failed—to contact Savannah Guthrie's siblings, Camron and Annie, via email and text. The message allegedly stated, 'If they want the name of the individual involved then I want 1 Bitcoin to the following wallet. Time is more than relevant.'

The Bitcoin address provided in the note is described as legitimate and distinct from the one used in the original ransom note, which was also sent to TMZ and two Arizona news stations. This latest communication adds a new layer of complexity to an already baffling case, as authorities remain tight-lipped about the ransom demands. The message was confirmed by TMZ host Harvey Levin during an appearance on Fox News' America's Newsroom, where he stated the outlet had verified the Bitcoin address as active. 'We have no idea whether this is real or not,' Levin said, adding that the sender included a name and email address but declined to disclose them publicly.

The timing of the message is particularly significant. It emerged hours after Pima County Sheriff's deputies detained delivery driver Carlos Palazuelos, 36, for questioning in connection with Guthrie's disappearance. Palazuelos, who was released without charge, denied any involvement in the abduction, claiming he was held for hours without being read his rights. 'They held me against my will,' he told reporters. 'I didn't do anything to be honest. I'm innocent.'

Palazuelos' detention followed the FBI's release of the first surveillance photos of a suspect seen near Guthrie's home on January 31, the night she disappeared. Authorities have not named any other suspects, though FBI Director Kash Patel has said investigators are considering 'multiple persons of interest.' The sheriff's department has been cautious about confirming details of the ransom notes, but police have acknowledged that deadlines associated with the original demands have passed. The case has grown increasingly murky, with no clear path forward for law enforcement or the Guthrie family.

The latest ransom note raises new questions about the motives and identity of the suspect. While the sender claims to have critical information, law enforcement has not indicated whether they are taking the message seriously. The Guthrie family, through a video shared online by Savannah and her siblings, has repeatedly called for public assistance in locating their mother. As the investigation continues, the Bitcoin demand underscores the desperation of someone—whether a true suspect or a hoaxer—seeking to exploit the high-profile nature of the case. The Arizona desert, where Guthrie's home sits, has become a stage for a mystery that shows no signs of resolution.