Cruel imposter arrested for faking ransom note to Savannah Guthrie
A fraudster has been accused of sending a fake ransom note to Savannah Guthrie after the disappearance of her 84-year-old mother Nancy.
FBI Special Agent Heith Janke announced Thursday afternoon that a man who sent a fake ransom demand has been arrested. The suspect, whose identity has not yet been disclosed, is expected to be referred to the courthouse soon.
‘We have made an arrest in connection with the fake ransom demand and the complaint will be presented to the state judge later today,’ he said.
‘My next message is to the fraudsters who are trying to take advantage of this situation and make a profit: We will investigate and make sure you are held accountable for your actions.’
Authorities are now offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to the capture of Nancy’s kidnapper.
At least three media outlets reported receiving ransom notes that they allegedly turned over to investigators. The Pima County Sheriff’s Department said it was taking the notes and other tips seriously but declined to comment further.
Nancy was last seen by her family at her home near Tucson, Arizona, on Saturday night and was reported missing the next afternoon, with authorities believing she had been taken from her home against her will.
A fake ransom note was sent to Savannah Guthrie (left) and her family in connection with the disappearance of her mother Nancy Guthrie (right).
FBI Special Agent Heith Janke announced at a press conference Thursday that a man was arrested for sending a fake ransom demand.
Janke said that the deadline for one of the reported ransom notes was 17:00 today. He added that the memo has a second deadline for next Monday.
‘So we proceed with a normal kidnapping case; Janke said a contact will be established by now to discuss this issue.
‘But these are the time frames we’re looking at as we move forward.’
Janke said investigators took the ransom note seriously, stating that it included a demand for money with a deadline, as well as details about the projector and an Apple watch in the house.
Anchor Mary Coleman told CNN in a memo emailed Monday to the KOLD-TV newsroom in Tucson that there were “red flags” that led those who saw it to believe it “may not be a hoax.”
He said the note contained information only the kidnapper would know. It also includes a dollar amount and a deadline, he said.
“When we saw some of these details, after a few sentences it became clear that this might not be a hoax,” he said in an interview published Wednesday.
A. Millions demanded in note sent to TMZ bitcoin for Nancy’s release, but it is unclear at this time whether the note is genuine or not.
Nancy Guthrie was last seen by her family at her home near Tucson, Arizona, on Saturday night and was reported missing the following afternoon. Investigators confirm blood found outside her front door matches Nancy’s DNA
Investigators Nancy Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said Thursday that it’s “still out there somewhere,” but they haven’t identified any suspects.
‘At this time we believe Nancy is still there. We want him to come home,’ Nanos said at a news conference five days after he was reported missing.
But the sheriff acknowledged that authorities had no evidence he was still alive.
He also explained that DNA tests showed that the blood found on Nancy’s porch matched hers.
At the same press conference, Janke directly addressed Nancy’s kidnappers.
‘This is an 84-year-old grandmother who needs medication vital to her health,’ he said. ‘You still have time to do the right thing before this turns into a worse, much worse scenario for you. Please take Nancy home.’
The FBI agent added that the Guthrie family is ready to talk to their mother’s kidnappers.
‘The family requests to be contacted. “They know time is of the essence and if Nancy’s captors are watching this, the family is ready to talk, get proof of life because there has been no contact since that ransom note,” he said.
A day earlier, Savannah Guthrie and her siblings posted an emotional message to the kidnapper of her 84-year-old mother, but there was no public sign of any response.
The Today Show host said her family is ready to talk, but they want proof that their mother is still alive. In a heartbreaking video posted to social media on Wednesday, Guthrie acknowledged he had heard media reports about a ransom letter.
‘We are ready to talk. But we live in a world where sounds and images are easily manipulated,” said Savannah Guthrie, reading a prepared statement.
‘Surely we must make sure that he is alive and that you have him. We want to hear from you and we are ready to listen. Please contact us.’
This is breaking news. Check back for updates.
