More than two weeks have passed since Nancy Guthrie, 84, was last seen in Tucson, Arizona, on January 31 after spending the evening with family. The beloved mother of “Today” co-anchor Savannah Guthrie was reported missing the following morning after she failed to attend church. As the days stretch on without answers, her family continues to cling to hope.
Weeks later, with no suspect identified, the search for Nancy has taken another unsettling turn.
Another Ransom Note Surfaces as New Crypto Demand Emerges
TMZ reports that a second ransom note has surfaced in the kidnapping investigation, deepening the intensity surrounding the case.
- The outlet reports that the newest message demands payment in a cryptocurrency other than Bitcoin and seeks a sum similar to the earlier $6 million request made days after the abduction.
- The email allegedly includes graphic threats outlining what would happen if the ransom is not paid, according to TMZ.
- TMZ states that the latest message lists a different cryptocurrency account number than the one included in the original demand.
- The outlet says it has turned the email over to the FBI and is not releasing additional details. Authorities have not independently confirmed the contents of the note.
The new development adds another layer of urgency to an already emotional and high-stakes investigation.
Gun Stores Contacted Over Unique Holster Seen on Video
Investigators are still chasing down every detail connected to the man seen on doorbell footage outside Nancy’s home.
In a video captured from her porch the morning she disappeared, the suspect appears to be wearing a distinctive holster. Sheriff Chris Nanos said identifying that piece of equipment could prove critical.
“We know he had a gun. We know he had a holster that had some pretty unique characteristics,” Nanos said in an interview with NBC.
“We can’t quite identify it yet, but that’s being worked on. So naturally, we go to our gun shops everywhere and say: ‘Have you seen this guy? Can you help us identify this weapon? Can you help us identify this holster?” he said.
According to law enforcement sources, the FBI created a list of people who purchased a similar holster and shared those names with gun stores across the Tucson area. Investigators asked whether any of those individuals had bought a firearm within the last year. So far, that effort has not produced a break.
GettyNanos also responded to questions about whether the suspect may be wearing a ring in the footage.
“I look at the same photo you look at, and I get, I see it,” Nanos added, as per NBC.
“I’m going to give that to my team. They’ll look at that. They’ll analyze it, and we’ll see. Maybe, maybe it is,” he said.
Walmart Backpack Could Provide Critical Clue, Sheriff Says
Investigators are also zeroing in on a backpack seen in the doorbell footage.
Nanos said the bag has been identified as an Ozark Trail backpack sold exclusively at Walmart. He believes tracking its purchase history could open the door to new leads.
“That backpack, we could positively now identify as a backpack that is sold at one place only. That’s Walmart,” Nanos said.
“So we’re working with our Walmart managers all across the state to try to find out how many sales there were of that backpack in the last 20, 30 days, the last 60 days,” he said.
“And can we do something with that? Can we break it — maybe we’ll find a credit card or a bank card,” he said. “Maybe we’ll find a video of the guy walking in.”
An FBI team is working with Walmart and other retailers to trace possible purchases connected to the suspect’s clothing and equipment. So far, officials say the effort has not produced a breakthrough.
Still, investigators insist they are leaving nothing unchecked. As one law enforcement source put it, “We are shaking the trees” to crack the case.
Community Shows Support as Search for Nancy Continues
As the investigation stretches on, the emotional toll is visible across Tucson.
Yellow flowers have been placed near Nancy’s home and throughout the city as a symbol of hope. Inside Studio 1A, the “TODAY” team has also displayed yellow flowers and ribbons in support of the Guthrie family. This week, Nancy’s family members were officially cleared as suspects.
With each new development, the weight grows heavier for those closest to her. Investigators say they remain fully engaged. The search continues. And for Nancy’s family, hope remains at the center of it all.
