TMZ is rolling out some heavy news, and this one hits different. According to the outlet, they received an alleged ransom note tied to the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of Today show anchor Savannah Guthrie.
The message reportedly demands cryptocurrency in exchange for her release, turning an already frightening missing-person case into something far more serious.
Now, this alleged ransom demand adds another layer of urgency and concern. TMZ reports the message landed in their inbox on Tuesday, Feb. 3, and it wasn’t vague or speculative.
The outlet claims the note “demands a specific substantial amount of Bitcoin… the amount is in the millions, and the note specifies that the cryptocurrency has to be sent to a particular Bitcoin address.”
That detail alone raises red flags. Bitcoin demands are often associated with calculated crimes. They leave a digital trail but also allow distance and anonymity. TMZ says they didn’t sit on the information either.
“TMZ has verified the Bitcoin address is real,” they added. “There’s a deadline linked to the alleged ransom… and an element of ‘or else’… We’ve passed the alleged ransom demand on to the Pima County Sheriff.”
This is no longer just a worried family situation. It’s now a case involving alleged extortion, digital currency, and a vulnerable elderly woman. And the community is watching closely.
What TMZ Says About the Alleged Ransom Note and Bitcoin Demand
According to TMZ, the alleged ransom note is specific, calculated, and chilling. This wasn’t a general threat. It wasn’t emotional. It was transactional. That matters. The note reportedly demands millions of dollars in Bitcoin and gives exact instructions on where and how to send it.
TMZ emphasized that the Bitcoin address included in the message is legitimate. That detail alone suggests whoever sent the note understands how cryptocurrency works. It also suggests planning. People don’t casually request crypto payments in the millions without some level of intent or preparation.
Even more concerning is the deadline. TMZ says the note includes a time constraint and an implied threat if demands aren’t met. Those are classic pressure tactics. Law enforcement takes those details seriously because they often indicate escalation risk.
Importantly, TMZ did not attempt to negotiate, publish the address, or sensationalize the demand beyond reporting its existence. Instead, they immediately turned the information over to the Pima County Sheriff’s Office. That move matters. It keeps the focus on recovery and safety, not clicks.
From an investigative standpoint, digital ransom notes can be both helpful and dangerous. Bitcoin transactions are traceable, but only if handled carefully. That’s why law enforcement typically urges families and media outlets not to engage directly.
This development also reframes earlier concerns
raised by authorities. What initially looked suspicious now carries more weight. A ransom note doesn’t exist in a vacuum. It often aligns with evidence already found at the scene.
And according to investigators, that evidence was already troubling.