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Source: Fortune.com
Summary
Nancy Guthrie, mother of ‘Today’ show host Savannah Guthrie, has been missing for 11 days. A recent ransom note asked for Bitcoin in exchange for her safe return. TMZ reported activity in the Bitcoin account listed in the note. Another letter was sent demanding a payment of 1 Bitcoin, equivalent to $70,000, and citing a legitimate Bitcoin address. The authorities have not confirmed whether the Bitcoin wallet is tied to the kidnappers or if the correspondence is authentic.
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The disappearance of Nancy Guthrie has reached a critical point, with the kidnapper demanding a Bitcoin payment for “information” about the suspect. The authorities are still searching for a suspect, having detained and released a 36-year-old man. The family is offering a reward, but the investigation is ongoing.
The Guthrie family’s public response has been to offer a reward and to appear in a video on Instagram, saying “we will pay” the ransom. The FBI has released surveillance video showing a person at Nancy’s house on the night of her disappearance.
The situation is reminiscent of a high-stakes game of cat and mouse, with the kidnapper using Bitcoin to remain anonymous.
The original observation is: “A ransom note is a message that says ‘pay me or else’.”
