A disturbing story is unfolding in the United States, showing just how dangerous the new reality can become – when criminals demand ransom not in cash and not through bank transfers, but directly in bitcoins.
Law enforcement authorities are searching for 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie – the mother of well-known American Today show host Savannah Guthrie. The elderly woman disappeared under mysterious circumstances, and a few days later неизвестные individuals sent a message demanding a multi-million-dollar ransom in cryptocurrency for her release. According to Fox News, Nancy Guthrie went missing on the evening of January 31 after leaving her home in Arizona.
TMZ reports that the newsroom received a note in which the kidnappers clearly stated: the money must be transferred in bitcoin. The message included a specific BTC address where the funds should be sent. Journalists confirmed that the wallet is real and active, although the exact amount demanded has not been publicly disclosed.
What makes the situation even more alarming is that the note contains details that would be difficult for a random person to fake. It correctly described the clothing Nancy was wearing at the time of her disappearance, and it also mentioned one of the items in the house that was found broken afterward. This strengthens suspicions that the authors of the message действительно have direct involvement in the woman’s disappearance.
TMZ forwarded the message to the Pima County Sheriff’s Department. However, authorities have not officially confirmed the authenticity of the note and have not revealed how much the criminals are demanding.
Nancy Guthrie disappeared from her home in the Catalina Foothills area of Arizona on Sunday, February 1. She was last seen on the evening of January 31, also at her home.
At first, police considered a more “mild” explanation: that the elderly woman may have wandered outside and become lost due to age, health issues, or disorientation. Unfortunately, such cases among elderly individuals are not uncommon.
However, the circumstances later changed. After the ransom note appeared and additional details emerged, the investigation was reclassified as a kidnapping case. Detectives handling the most serious crimes, including homicide investigations, were brought in. This indicates that authorities view the situation as potentially extremely dangerous.
“I am directing all federal law enforcement agencies to immediately place themselves at the full disposal of the family and local authorities. We will deploy every resource to safely bring her mother home,” the U.S. president wrote on Truth Social.
Cryptocurrency as a Ransom Tool: A New Criminal Trend
Experts note that kidnappings involving cryptocurrency ransom demands are becoming increasingly common. The reason is simple: bitcoin and other digital assets allow criminals to:
- receive money quickly,
- bypass банковский oversight,
- use anonymous money-laundering schemes,
- move funds across borders without intermediaries.
Although blockchain transactions are transparent, in practice kidnappers often use mixers, chains of wallets, and illegal обменники, which complicates investigations.
Nancy Guthrie’s case fits into a broader and deeply troubling trend. Analysts report that over the past year, attacks targeting cryptocurrency holders and their relatives have increased by 75%. In 2025 alone, 72 cases of violent thefts and kidnappings were recorded, with the highest number occurring in France.
Just recently in Lyon, France, criminals kidnapped a 74-year-old пенсионер, mistakenly believing he was the father of a major crypto investor. The man was tortured for money, but when it became clear that his son did not have wealth, the преступники released him.
These incidents show that criminals are increasingly targeting not the investors themselves, but their relatives – elderly parents, spouses, or children – relying on fear and pressure.
A Dangerous Signal
The kidnapping of a public TV host’s mother for cryptocurrency ransom is yet another confirmation that digital assets have become more than just financial tools – they are increasingly being used as part of criminal schemes.
The investigation continues, and Nancy Guthrie’s fate remains unknown.
All content provided on this website (https://wildinwest.com/) -including attachments, links, or referenced materials — is for informative and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice. Third-party materials remain the property of their respective owners.