Activity Observed in Bitcoin Account Linked to Nancy Guthrie Ransom Note

Police detain individual for questioning as search continues for missing Today host's mother

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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Activity has been observed in the Bitcoin wallet connected with a ransom note sent following the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the mother of Today co-host Savannah Guthrie, who has been missing for 10 days. A small amount of money, in the "hundreds of dollars," has been transmitted to the Bitcoin wallet. Police have also detained an individual for questioning in connection with Nancy's abduction and are preparing to search a location linked to the individual.

Why it matters

The activity in the Bitcoin wallet and the detention of an individual provide new developments in the ongoing search for Nancy Guthrie, who was allegedly abducted from her Tucson, Arizona home on February 1. The case has garnered national attention as Savannah Guthrie's mother, and the ransom demands and use of cryptocurrency add complexity to the investigation.

The details

According to the report, the initial ransom note sent by Nancy's kidnappers demanded $4 million to be paid to the Bitcoin account by February 5. If the initial demand was not met, the ransom note allegedly demanded $6 million, to be paid by February 9. The activity observed in the Bitcoin account is less than $300. Police have also detained an individual for questioning and are preparing to search a location linked to the individual.

  • Nancy Guthrie was last seen at her Tucson, Arizona home after being dropped off by her family at 9:48 p.m. on Saturday, January 31.
  • Nancy is believed to have been taken against her will in the early morning hours of Sunday, February 1.
  • The first alleged ransom note was sent on the evening of February 2, one day after Nancy was reported missing.
  • The ransom note demanded $4 million to be paid to the Bitcoin account by February 5.
  • If the initial demand was not met, the ransom note allegedly demanded $6 million, to be paid by February 9.

The players

Nancy Guthrie

The mother of Today co-host Savannah Guthrie, who was allegedly abducted from her Tucson, Arizona home on February 1.

Savannah Guthrie

The co-host of the Today show, whose mother, Nancy Guthrie, has been missing for 10 days.

Pima County Sheriff's Department

The law enforcement agency investigating Nancy Guthrie's disappearance, including the activity observed in the Bitcoin wallet connected to the ransom note and the detention of an individual for questioning.

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What they’re saying

“Working with our partners — as of this morning, law enforcement has uncovered these previously inaccessible new images showing an armed individual appearing to have tampered with the camera at Nancy Guthrie's front door the morning of her disappearance.”

— Chris Nanos, Pima County Sheriff (X)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow the detained individual out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights the complexity of kidnapping investigations, particularly when cryptocurrency is involved in ransom demands. The activity in the Bitcoin wallet and the detention of an individual provide new leads, but the search for Nancy Guthrie continues as authorities work to uncover the full details of her disappearance.