Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos confirmed on Thursday, February 5, that one arrest has been made in connection with the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie.
According to Nanos, one man was taken into custody early Thursday morning after police say he sent an “imposter ransom demand.”
It’s unclear how investigators determined the letter was from an “imposter,” but the FBI made it clear that they will apprehend any other “impostors” trying to profit off of the Guthrie case.
Ransom Letters Sent in Nancy Guthrie Case
Ransom notes were first reported by TMZ, which claimed to have received a letter about Guthrie’s disappearance on Tuesday.
Harvey Levin and Charles Latibeaudiere shared in a video shared to social media on Tuesday that they “got something in [their] email that looks like — it’s written like a ransom note — for Savannah Guthrie’s mother.”
According to the outlet, the note attempted to confirm its legitimacy by noting details such as Guthrie’s clothing and “damage to the house.”
The FBI clarified during Thursday’s press conference that such details included Nancy’s Apple Watch and a floodlight on the home.
Levin explained that they had turned over the ransom note to authorities, who later released a statement acknowledging the “reports circulating about possible ransom note(s).”
“We are taking all tips and leads very seriously,” the statement read. “Anything that comes in, goes directly to our detectives who are coordinating with the FBI.”
The FBI later confirmed that the deadline on the alleged ransom note was 5 p.m. Thursday. If that deadline is not met, the agent added that a second deadline was set for next Monday, February 9. He would not, however, reveal what will happen if the deadline is not met.
Savannah Guthrie Pleads With Captors in Emotional Video
Savannah Guthrie, along with her siblings Annie Guthrie and Camron Guthrie, shared an emotional message to social media on Wednesday, pleading with their mother’s captors.
“We too have heard the reports about a ransom letter in the media,” the “Today” host said. “As a family, we are doing everything that we can. We are ready to talk.”
She continued, “We live in a world where voices and images are easily manipulated. We need to know, without a doubt, that she is alive and that you have her. We want to hear from you, and we are ready to listen. Please, reach out to us.”
As of Thursday, investigators still do not have a suspect or a person of interest in Guthrie’s disappearance.
