Bitcoin payments are emerging as a controversial focal point in the ongoing search for Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old woman who vanished earlier this month, drawing significant public attention. In a notable twist, a Tucson native has initiated a GoFundMe campaign aimed at raising funds to purchase Bitcoin in hopes of obtaining information regarding the whereabouts of Guthrie, who is the mother of ‘Today’ show anchor Savannah Guthrie.
However, the crowdfunding effort has thus far seen limited success, accumulating only about $1,500 of its ambitious $65,000 target. The campaign was organized by Shawn Breeden from Tucson, the last known location of Guthrie prior to her abduction. Breeden stated on the GoFundMe page, “Every bit of support helps bring this tragic event closer to an end,” but has not responded to requests for further comment.
As the grassroots fundraising continues, another alarming report surfaced from TMZ, which disclosed they received four separate letters from the same individual demanding Bitcoin payments in exchange for information on Guthrie. The latest correspondence requests $50,000 in Bitcoin, while a prior demand estimated one Bitcoin’s value around $67,000.
TMZ’s request for a copy of these letters went unanswered, and the Pima County Sheriff’s office has refrained from releasing more details regarding the case or the extortion letters. This careful approach underscores the sensitive nature of the investigation.
The involvement of Bitcoin is not unprecedented in this case. Just last week, a local Arizona TV station, KGUN 9, reported receiving a threatening note claiming that Guthrie’s captors were demanding a staggering ransom of $6 million in Bitcoin for her release. In a heartfelt video posted to her Instagram, Savannah Guthrie expressed a willingness to meet the demands, stating, “we will pay,” yet there has been no corroborating evidence to suggest that the family has engaged in any ransom transaction.
Notably, the letters calling for Bitcoin payments lack any proof of Nancy Guthrie’s wellbeing, and authorities have not confirmed whether these communications originate from her actual kidnappers. Law enforcement experts note that criminals often prefer Bitcoin transactions due to their instantaneous nature, but these payments also present significant risks. On the blockchain, payments are publicly visible and can be traced back by law enforcement, leading some exchanges to freeze funds when criminal activity is suspected.
As of now, it has been over two weeks since Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance, and authorities remain without a suspect. The Pima County Sheriff’s office confirmed via an X post that the Guthrie family members have been ruled out as potential suspects. Additionally, a glove matching the style worn by an unidentified, masked individual seen on surveillance footage outside Guthrie’s residence has been recovered and forwarded for DNA analysis.
In a poignant appeal, Savannah Guthrie urged anyone with information about her mother’s location to come forward, stating in her latest video, “It’s never too late to do the right thing.” As the search continues, questions linger about the true intentions behind the Bitcoin demands and the ongoing uncertainty surrounding Nancy Guthrie’s fate.
