Nancy Guthrie’s purported kidnappers claimed in a ransom note sent to TMZ that the 84-year-old TV host’s mom is “safe but scared” — and knows exactly what chilling demands are being made for her return.
The apparent note, which was sent to the outlet two days after Savannah Guthrie’s mom was reported missing over the weekend, demanded millions in bitcoin be turned over to avoid “consequential” repercussions.
“I will say the letter begins by saying she is safe but scared, and they go on to say she knows exactly what the demand is,” TMZ boss Harvey Levin told Fox News’ Sean Hannity late Thursday.
“They are, through us, telling the family exactly what they are demanding, and they are saying that Nancy is aware of it,” he said of the terrifying ordeal for the “Today” show host’s family.
“They are also saying… that this will be their only communication and they are done communicating and negotiating —here’s the deal and that’s it.”
“As the clock ticks, that’s one of the reasons the FBI and other authorities have gotten desperate here,” he added.
Without elaborating further, Levin said there were details included in the note that led him to believe Guthrie — who authorities believe was taken against her will from her home in Tucson over the weekend — was still within the area.
Investigators have already said they are taking the note, as well as several others sent to various media outlets, seriously.
Heith Janke, the FBI chief in Phoenix, said details in some of the notes had included a demand for money with a Thursday evening deadline and a second deadline for Monday if the first one wasn’t met.
It comes after the “Today” show host and her two siblings released a message pleading for their mom’s safe return, saying they are ready to talk but want proof their mom is still alive.
