Nancy Guthrie case update: About three weeks after “Today” host Savannah Guthrie’s mother was abducted from her Tucson home, a new ransom note has emerged. TMZ received the note and reported that the kidnappers had needs involving cryptocurrencies other than Bitcoin. The amount is similar to previous requests, about $6 million. The kidnappers also detailed the consequences if the ransom was not paid.
According to a report by TMZ on Wednesday, the ransom email included a new encrypted account number. The publisher has submitted this note to the FBI.
Cape Mexico Detection
Meanwhile, a law enforcement source told the publication that the FBI contacted Mexican federal law enforcement. But no new clues have been obtained. The agency reportedly believes Nancy Guthrie was taken across the border. Border Patrol cameras and other electronic equipment have been inspected.
A few days ago, TMZ published details of a blackmail email that read: “I know what I saw south of the border 5 days ago and I was told to shut up so I knew who it was and it had to be Nancy with them.”
The sender of the email said he had been convicted of burglary 10 years ago.
DNA match updates
Meanwhile, authorities said Tuesday that DNA from a glove found a few miles from Guthrie’s Arizona home did not match any entry in a national database.
“No DNA information was detected in CODIS,” the Pima County Sheriff’s Department said of the National Comprehensive DNA Index System.
“At this time, there have been no confirmed CODIS matches in this investigation,” the department said, suggesting other DNA samples have passed through the system.
CODIS is a repository of DNA extracted from suspects or guilty persons. Any hits could lead to possible suspects in Guthrie’s disappearance.
The Sheriff’s Department said it is looking to enter the DNA evidence into other “genetic genealogy” databases. It did not elaborate.
A porch camera captured video of a man carrying a backpack wearing a ski mask, pants, jacket and gloves. The FBI said the suspect is about 5 feet 9 inches (1.75 meters) tall and of medium build.
The gloves were found about 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) from Guthrie’s home. The FBI said the gloves appeared to match those worn by the man in the video.
“Additional DNA evidence was found at the residence and is currently being analyzed,” the Sheriff’s Department said.
Additionally, the department said it is working with experts to try to locate Guthrie by testing her pacemaker.
(With inputs from The Associated Press)
