Nancy Guthrie Case: FBI Source Says 3 Kidnapping Ransom Notes Are Fake

Nancy Guthrie Case: Law Enforcement Expresses Doubt About New Demand Letter

Authorities are setting the record straight on alleged communications from Nancy Guthrie's kidnappers.

Days after a third alleged message was sent from a person claiming to have information about the assailants who kidnapped Savannah Guthrie's 84-year-old mother, an FBI official confirmed to Reuters June 30 that all three ransom notes were fake.

The FBI assessed that two earlier messages were inauthentic, as well as the most recent pertaining to the identities of Nancy's kidnappers. The official—who spoke with Reuters on the condition of anonymity—said, "None of the ransom notes are believed to be genuine."

The FBI official told the outlet that the first two notes were from the same sender, although they did not explain how the conclusion was reached. A second law enforcement source familiar with the matter also confirmed the FBI's assessment to Reuters.

E! News has reached out to the FBI for comment and has not yet heard back.

The update comes after Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos—whose department has worked with the FBI since Nancy was reported missing in February—shared his thoughts on the validity of the most recent note.

"I think the FBI has done a number of arrests for false or fake ransom notes," Nanos said on the June 26 episode of local Tucson news station 1030 KVOI AM's The Buckmaster Show. "I think we're looking at another one of those today with what's been reported. But we'll let the FBI do their work."

"It is a shame that these types of events occur," he said of the fake messages. "People have great interest and that's good because it helps us, but then it gets really abused."

The Pima County Police Department previously declined to comment on the letter after E! News' request, citing the case as "an active investigation." E! News had also reached out to a rep for Guthrie's family and did not hear back.

Nathan Congleton/NBC via Getty Images

Two letters were sent to NBC News' Arizona affiliate KOLD news director Jessica Bobula, with the first demanding cryptocurrency for the release of Nancy, three people familiar with the situation told NBC News. The second did not include an apology or ask for money, according to the outlet.

Savannah, 54, addressed the letters, pleading with the public for any information surrounding her mom's kidnapping.

"This is the life that my sister lives, I live, that my brother lives, that our extended family lives, that our children live every day and we are in agony," she on the June 23 episode of Today. "This is the moment to tell you that we need your help. We're begging for your help. We love our mom and we'll never stop looking for her, ever."

As the search for Nancy continues, keep reading for a look back at the devastating case.

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