Bitcoin Ransom for Missing Mom: Family Pleads for Return

The search for 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie, mother of Savannah Guthrie, intensified on Sunday, February 8, as police focused their investigation on a septic tank located behind her Tucson, Arizona residence. Drone footage captured investigators examining the tank, a move explained by a former SWAT captain as a potential measure to discover anything that might have been disposed of. Authorities believe Nancy was abducted from her home on January 31, finding concerning evidence that led them to treat the house as a potential crime scene.

Adding to the distress, a ransom note reportedly demanded millions in Bitcoin for Nancy's safe return. In response, Savannah and her siblings, Annie and Camron Guthrie, released a video on Saturday, February 7, directly addressing the alleged captor. They acknowledged the message and pleaded for their mother's release, stating their willingness to pay to ensure her safe return and their family's peace.

In parallel, investigators are examining digital evidence, with officers seen collecting a Cellebrite case, a tool used for recovering data from electronic devices, from another location. The investigation has also reportedly explored the possibility of Savannah's brother-in-law, Tommaso Cioni, being a person of interest, though police have officially stated no suspects have been identified yet. The family's plea underscores the urgency of the ongoing efforts to find Nancy.