FBI hasn’t dismissed all Nancy Guthrie ransom notes — but reveals many led to dead end

The FBI is still investigating the ransom notes tied to the mysterious disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie. Contrary to earlier reports, the agency has not dismissed all ransom demands, with some still under scrutiny as potentially legitimate threats.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the FBI’s Phoenix field office clarified that while many of the ransom notes received during the investigation have been deemed untrustworthy, a few remain in the spotlight. “The FBI and its task force partners have received several ransom notes over the course of this investigation. Some have been deemed to be extortion attempts without legitimacy,” the statement read. However, it also noted that certain demands are still being examined.

Reports surfaced on Tuesday indicating that the FBI had ruled out all ransom notes as fraudulent. These notes, which surfaced after Nancy’s disappearance on January 31, have raised alarm due to their specific details regarding her whereabouts and personal items. Sources confirmed to The Post that the legitimacy of some messages is still being evaluated, contradicting earlier claims.

Following Nancy’s disappearance, numerous ransom notes were sent to various media outlets, including TMZ and local TV stations, as well as the Guthrie family. While most of these notes were quickly dismissed, a handful contained specific information about Nancy, such as what she was wearing and details about her home, leading investigators to take them seriously.

One of the initial ransom demands requested a staggering $4 million in Bitcoin for Nancy’s safe return. Subsequent messages hinted at her possible death, yet suggested that her family could still pay for her remains. A more recent email claimed to know the identities of those involved in her alleged kidnapping.

Despite months of investigation, the FBI has not definitively concluded whether these ransom notes are genuine or not. During a press conference on Wednesday, FBI Director Kash Patel refrained from commenting further, stating, “We are continuing to assist that investigation. We’ve always been in an assist role. It’s a state matter being led by the state authorities.”

The ransom letters have drawn particular attention because they included details not publicly known, such as a malfunctioning security light at Guthrie’s residence and the Apple Watch she was reportedly wearing. Investigators even sent a small transaction to the Bitcoin wallet mentioned in the ransom notes to assess its credibility, but the wallet showed no activity, raising doubts about the sender’s claims.

Adding to the intrigue, a suspect was captured on Guthrie’s doorbell camera attempting to disable the device on the morning she vanished. However, the individual appeared to lack the sophistication typically associated with organized crime, leading experts to question the authenticity of the ransom scheme. Attorney Todd Spodek, who specializes in cybercrime, suggested that a truly organized operation would not resort to such a clumsy kidnapping attempt.

As the investigation reaches its fifth month, the task force continues to pursue leads, tracing the digital footprints left by the ransom note authors. Authorities have also detained and released several individuals of interest, canvassed local gun stores, and analyzed potential DNA evidence, but so far, these efforts have yielded no breakthroughs.

With the mystery surrounding Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance deepening, one question remains: will the truth behind the ransom notes ever come to light?