TMZ Founder Details 'Chilling' New Alleged Nancy Guthrie Ransom Note

Harvey Levin shared details on a new alleged ransom note received by TMZ in connection with Nancy Guthrie's disappearance, including the amount

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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TMZ founder Harvey Levin is sharing details on a new ransom demand received by the outlet, alleged to be in connection with the disappearance of Savannah Guthrie's mom, Nancy Guthrie. The new note requests millions in cryptocurrency, unlike the first alleged ransom demand received by TMZ in early February. The FBI has yet to verify the authenticity of the ransom notes.

Why it matters

The disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, a 'vulnerable adult', has raised concerns and questions about her safety and well-being. The alleged ransom notes add a new layer of complexity to the ongoing investigation by law enforcement.

The details

According to Levin, the new ransom note is 'more graphic and chilling' than the first one received by TMZ. It involves a demand for a specific cryptocurrency besides Bitcoin, and the note is described as 'sophisticated' with 'one thing triggering another'. The amount demanded is roughly $6 million, the same as the first note. Levin said the note contains 'graphic' descriptions of the consequences if the demands are not met.

  • On February 1, Nancy Guthrie was reported missing in the Catalina Foothills area of Tucson, Arizona.
  • On February 6, TMZ founder Harvey Levin described the contents of the first alleged ransom note received by the outlet.
  • On February 18, TMZ reported receiving a further ransom note, which Levin discussed in a CNN interview on the same day.

The players

Harvey Levin

The 75-year-old founder of TMZ, who is sharing details about the new alleged ransom note received by the outlet.

Nancy Guthrie

The 84-year-old mother of Today show host Savannah Guthrie, who was reported missing in Tucson, Arizona, on February 1.

Savannah Guthrie

The Today show host whose mother, Nancy Guthrie, was reported missing in Tucson, Arizona, on February 1.

FBI

The federal law enforcement agency that is investigating the alleged ransom notes received by TMZ and local Tucson news outlets.

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What they’re saying

“It is a really sophisticated note. I had to get someone to help translate it for me. It involves a demand for crypto — not Bitcoin.”

— Harvey Levin, TMZ Founder (CNN)

“The money will automatically go into this account if certain things happen. It actually involves the media, too, in terms of what the media puts out. But it's a very sophisticated way of doing it where one thing triggers another, [which] triggers another. It's beyond my level of knowledge.”

— Harvey Levin, TMZ Founder (CNN)

“The amount they're asking for in this different type of currency is roughly the same as the amount in the first ransom note, the equivalent of $6 million. They graphically describe the consequences if they're not paid.”

— Harvey Levin, TMZ Founder (CNN)

“It is a little more graphic and chilling. The previous one was also pretty chilling, but the way this is described is more so.”

— Harvey Levin, TMZ Founder (CNN)

What’s next

The FBI is continuing to investigate the alleged ransom notes received by TMZ and local Tucson news outlets, with the first note 'capturing their ongoing attention'.

The takeaway

The disappearance of Nancy Guthrie and the alleged ransom notes have raised serious concerns about her safety and well-being. The sophisticated nature of the new note, including the demand for a specific cryptocurrency, adds complexity to the ongoing investigation by law enforcement.