TMZ Receives Emails Claiming to Know Details About Nancy Guthrie Kidnapping

The tabloid outlet has received multiple messages from a person demanding money in exchange for information on the high-profile abduction case.

Published on Feb. 18, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

TMZ has been contacted multiple times by email by an individual who claims to know who kidnapped Nancy Guthrie, an 84-year-old Arizona woman, and where she is currently being held. The sender has demanded around $50,000 in Bitcoin in exchange for the information, which the tabloid outlet has shared with the FBI as part of the ongoing investigation.

Why it matters

The Guthrie kidnapping case has captured national attention as a high-profile abduction with an alleged ransom demand. The emails received by TMZ add a new layer to the investigation, as authorities continue to search for clues about Guthrie's whereabouts and the identity of her alleged abductor.

The details

According to reports, TMZ has received four emails from the same sender through its anonymous tip system. The latest message, received on February 16, stated that the sender "knows what I saw 5 days ago south of the border and I was told to shut up so I know who he is and that was definitely Nancy with them." The sender has demanded around $50,000 in Bitcoin in exchange for the information. TMZ has shared the emails with the FBI as part of the ongoing investigation.

  • On February 1, Nancy Guthrie, 84, was reported missing from her home in the Catalina Foothills, Arizona.
  • The latest email from the sender was received by TMZ on February 16.

The players

Nancy Guthrie

An 84-year-old woman who was reported missing from her home in the Catalina Foothills, Arizona on February 1.

Savannah Guthrie

The NBC News journalist and Today co-anchor, who is Nancy Guthrie's daughter.

Harvey Levin

The founder of TMZ, the tabloid outlet that has received multiple emails from a person claiming to have information about the Nancy Guthrie kidnapping case.

Chris Nanos

The Pima County Sheriff, who has said the Nancy Guthrie matter is being treated as a criminal investigation.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We have received a fourth letter from the same person who says that he knows where Nancy Guthrie is, and he wants money in return for the information. Essentially, he wants the reward.”

— Harvey Levin, TMZ Founder (X)

“It's been two weeks since our mom was taken, and I just wanted to come on and say that we still have hope and we still believe. You're not lost or alone, and it is never too late to do the right thing. We are here. And we believe. And we believe in the essential goodness of every human being.”

— Savannah Guthrie (Instagram)

What’s next

Anyone with information was asked to contact 1‑800‑CALL‑FBI or the Pima County Sheriff's Department nonemergency line at 520‑351‑4900.

The takeaway

The emails received by TMZ add a new layer of complexity to the high-profile Nancy Guthrie kidnapping case, as authorities continue to investigate the abduction and search for clues about her whereabouts. The case has captured national attention and raised questions about the potential involvement of multiple individuals in the alleged crime.