TMZ Founder Reveals Haunting Message From Alleged Nancy Guthrie Ransom Note
TMZ founder Harvey Levin disclosed a line from an alleged ransom note related to the disappearance of Savannah Guthrie’s mother, Nancy Guthrie.
“I’ll share one line from the ransom note we received,” Levin, 75, stated in a Monday, February 9, interview with CNN’s Erin Burnett following the passing of a second ransom deadline. “They mention, ‘It is in the best interest of everyone to have this completed as soon as possible.’”
Earlier this month, TMZ and local news outlets in Tucson, Arizona, reported receiving unverified ransom notes related to Nancy’s disappearance on February 1 from her home in the Catalina Foothills area. Nancy, 84, was last seen on the evening of January 31, and authorities suspect she was abducted.
During an FBI press conference on Thursday, February 5, FBI Phoenix special agent in charge Heith Janke confirmed that the notes included two ransom deadlines, the first set for 5 p.m. local time on Thursday, and the second for 5 p.m. on Monday.
Tucson television station KGUN, which received one of the ransom notes sent to local media, reported that the potential kidnappers demanded $6 million in bitcoin.
On Monday, FBI officials released a statement indicating that they were “not aware of any ongoing communication between the Guthrie family and the suspected kidnappers, nor have we identified a suspect or person of interest in this case at this time,” as noted by NBC News.
Earlier on Monday, Savannah, 54, made a heartfelt appeal for information regarding her mother’s disappearance in an emotional Instagram video.
“I just wanted to share some thoughts as we enter another week of this nightmare,” the Today show co-host expressed, expressing gratitude for the public’s well-wishes since Nancy went missing.
“We believe that somehow, some way, [Nancy] is feeling these prayers and that God is uplifting her even in these dark moments,” Savannah said. “We hold onto hope that our mom is still out there.”
Savannah implored the public to keep supporting the search for her missing mother.
“We need your assistance. Law enforcement is working diligently around the clock, striving to bring her home. She was taken, and we have no idea where she is, and we need your help,” Savannah urged. “So, I’m here to ask you, not just for your prayers, but wherever you are, even if you’re far from Tucson, if you notice anything unusual, please report it to law enforcement.”
On Saturday, February 7, Savannah and her siblings, Annie and Camron, released another video message indicating their willingness to pay a ransom to Nancy’s potential abductors. This video followed a report from local news outlet KOLD about a second message tied to Nancy’s disappearance.
“We received your message and we understand,” Savannah stated on Saturday. “We urgently request that you return our mother to us so we can celebrate with her. This is the only way we will find peace. This is incredibly important to us, and we are willing to pay.”
During a Friday, February 6, interview with CNN, Levin shared more details regarding the letter TMZ received last week.
The supposed ransom note described Nancy as being “OK, but scared” and mentioned that she was “aware of the letter and the demands” contained within it.
“It felt like someone means business. When you read it, it’s very detailed,” he remarked.
