Ransom Note for Missing TV Host Raises Suspicion of Foreign Origin

FBI experts believe the demand to be paid in US dollars suggests the authors may not be located in the United States.

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

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The ransom note sent to the family of missing TV host Nancy Guthrie has raised suspicion among law enforcement experts due to a small but telling detail - the demand to be paid in US dollars. Former FBI agent Michael Harrigan stated that this specification "points to somebody who might be potentially outside the country, which also lends the potential for this being a scam." The note's authors have not made any further contact with the Guthrie family or law enforcement since it was first sent to news outlets last week, and investigators have not yet determined if the note is legitimate.

Why it matters

The use of US dollars in the ransom demand is an unusual detail that could indicate the authors are not based in the United States, raising concerns that this may be an international scam rather than a genuine kidnapping. This would significantly complicate the investigation and recovery efforts for Nancy Guthrie.

The details

The ransom note demanded a bitcoin payment in US dollars, with deadlines of Thursday at 5 p.m. MT and the following Monday. However, the authors have not made any further contact with the Guthrie family or law enforcement since the note was first sent to news outlets. Investigators have not yet determined whether the note is real or a scam.

  • The ransom note was first sent to news outlets last week.
  • The initial deadline for the ransom payment was Thursday at 5 p.m. MT.
  • A second, higher ransom payment was demanded by the following Monday.

The players

Nancy Guthrie

The missing TV host whose family received the ransom note.

Savannah Guthrie

Nancy Guthrie's daughter, who has publicly stated the family will pay the ransom.

Michael Harrigan

A former FBI agent who believes the demand to be paid in US dollars suggests the authors may be located outside the United States.

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What they’re saying

“Why would you use that if you're a domestic person? That points to somebody who might be potentially outside the country, which also lends the potential for this being a scam.”

— Michael Harrigan, Former FBI Agent (The Post)

What’s next

Investigators will continue to analyze the ransom note and any other evidence to determine the legitimacy of the demands and the location of the authors.

The takeaway

The unusual specification of US dollars in the ransom note has raised suspicions that the authors may be operating from outside the United States, potentially complicating the investigation and recovery efforts for Nancy Guthrie. Law enforcement will need to carefully examine all details of the note to assess whether this is a genuine kidnapping or an international scam.