Recent communications connected to the disappearance of 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie, including alleged ransom demands, may hold more authenticity than previously suggested, according to a new report. This development counters earlier assertions that deemed such notes as inauthentic.
An unnamed federal official has reportedly informed a media outlet that some investigators now consider these demands to be potentially "more legitimate than not."
New Insights into Ransom Communications
Harvey Levin, executive producer for the media organization, stated on Wednesday that an unnamed federal agent familiar with the investigation shared this perspective. "It is more likely than not that the two ransom notes are real," Levin quoted the official, adding, "Further in that conversation, this person said, 'They are more legitimate than not.' That's a quote."
Levin's comments were made in a video addressing a recent report that implied federal authorities had concluded all ransom demands related to Guthrie's case were inauthentic.
"They definitely have not determined it is, for sure, fake," Levin affirmed.
Public confirmation regarding the authenticity of any communications, including the initial two notes considered potentially genuine and a separate set of emails—believed to be unconnected—that also claim knowledge of Guthrie's whereabouts, has not been issued by authorities.
Regarding the separate emails, Levin conveyed the official's sentiment: "It is less likely that those letters are real, but they have not discounted that either."
Savannah Guthrie, a co-host on "Today" and Nancy Guthrie's daughter, previously expressed her belief that at least two of the notes could be authentic. She and her siblings addressed these communications in videos shared on her social media platform in February.
Authorities Remain Silent on Details
Both state and local law enforcement agencies have refrained from public discussion concerning these recent developments surrounding the ransom demands.
During a Justice Department news briefing on Wednesday, FBI Director Kash Patel was questioned about the new reports but declined to offer comment.
"I'm not going to comment on that," Patel informed reporters. He further explained, "We are continuing to assist that investigation. We've always been in an assist role. It's a state matter being led by the state authorities."
He confirmed, however, that "All ransom notes are being handled by the FBI. We’ve been pretty consistent with that. So I would have to defer you to them" for specific details on the notes themselves.
Call for Public Assistance
The Guthrie family urges anyone possessing information pertinent to Nancy Guthrie's case to contact federal authorities at 1-800-CALL-FBI. Anonymous tips can also be submitted to Tucson's Crime Stoppers affiliate, 88-Crime, by calling 1-520-882-7463.
