TMZ founder Harvey Levin has offered his thoughts following a report revealing that the FBI deemed three ransom notes, linked to Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance, as fake. These notes were sent to TMZ and other media outlets.
According to a Reuters report on Tuesday, June 29, the FBI dismissed three notes, including two received by TMZ, since Nancy, the mother of Today show co-host Savannah Guthrie, went missing from her home near Tucson, Arizona, on February 1.
One note sent to TMZ and Tucson outlets in February demanded millions in cryptocurrency for Nancy’s return. Another note received by TMZ, reported on June 26, claimed to know the identities of Guthrie’s suspected kidnappers. The anonymous sender also alleged to possess footage of the “main guy” in the kidnapping and Nancy on the day she reportedly died, offering it in exchange for money.
TMZ did not receive another February note, which claimed Nancy had died and did not ask for money. This note, received by Tucson news outlets, was first reported in late June.
In a video released by TMZ on Wednesday, July 1, Levin, 75, stated he spoke to an FBI official who indicated it was more probable than not that two of the ransom notes received by TMZ and local Tucson stations in February were genuine.
Levin relayed that his source said, “They are more legitimate than not,” though certainty about their authenticity has not been reached. He also mentioned the official’s belief that the letters asking for money in exchange for information are less likely to be genuine, while adding that the FBI hasn’t entirely dismissed them either.
Regarding a contradictory Reuters report citing an unnamed FBI official, Levin shared his FBI contact’s perspective: “This is a big organization, and there are multiple agents on this case. If you talk to all of them, their opinions are going to vary, so it depends on who you talk to.”
The FBI’s Phoenix field office, which is leading the investigation into Nancy’s disappearance, stated on Wednesday that several ransom notes have been received. Some have been identified as illegitimate extortion attempts, while others are still under investigation as potentially legitimate ransom demands.
The case is being treated as a kidnapping for ransom, with the FBI providing full support to local authorities who remain in charge of the investigation.
Local sheriff Chris Nanos from the Pima County Sheriff’s Department in Arizona stated, “Throughout this investigation, the Pima County Sheriff’s Department has received information regarding potential ransom notes related to the kidnapping of Nancy Guthrie. Every tip and lead is taken seriously and is forwarded directly to our detectives, who continue to work in coordination with the FBI.” He added that any questions about the ransom notes should be directed to the FBI.
