Nancy Guthrie’s Alleged Abductor Made Big Mistake in Ransom Note, Says Expert

Savannah Guthrie and her mom, Nancy Guthrie
Don Arnold/WireImage via Getty Images

What To Know

  • A crypto recovery expert stated that the alleged abductor of Nancy Guthrie made a critical error by including a traceable Bitcoin wallet address in the ransom note.
  • The expert explained that blockchain forensics can often track and recover funds from such wallet addresses, highlighting the need for better law enforcement training in crypto investigations.
  • Nancy Guthrie’s family publicly pleaded for her safe return, while authorities continue to treat her Tucson home as a potential crime scene following her disappearance.

As the search for Savannah Guthrie‘s missing 84-year-old mother, Nancy Guthrie, continues, an expert in crypto recovery has said that the alleged abductor made a mistake in the ransom note.

Speaking to Page Six, Bezalel Eithan Raviv, the CEO and founder of crypto recovery service Lionsgate Network, said the person who wrote the alleged ransom note “showed his Achilles to everyone who understands blockchain forensics.”

The ransom note, which TMZ received last week, reportedly demanded $6 million in Bitcoin, along with a Bitcoin wallet address. TMZ verified the wallet address was legitimate.

Raviv said this was the biggest mistake the alleged abductor could have made. “Whenever cyber criminals offer their wallet address is where they basically reveal themselves in many ways,” he explained, noting that his company has recovered money by sending small amounts to crypto wallets to “see where it lands.”

“This is a very simple tactic among many that we utilize when we want to be able to intercept criminal network crypto assets,” he added. “That’s from our perspective based on previous cases that have been incredibly successful.”

Raviv said the issue is that there is still a lot of misconception around crypto and blockchain technology. “Most people still, in 2026, do not believe you can trace crypto,” he said, including those working in law enforcement.

“We need to train our law enforcement agents with blockchain forensics and crypto, or find the right people to do the job,” he added

Raviv said more information can be gleaned when the person “cashes out” the crypto, stating that they’ll eventually want to “enjoy that money.”

“Bigger picture, when you send crypto, you send a code. You don’t send a suitcase with cash that you can pay for gas, bills, clothes, food, right?” he told the outlet. “You send a code to someone from one wallet to another wallet… You cannot eat off of code. You cannot buy things out of a code. If you want to cash them out, it has to be met with a crypto exchange.”

Pima County authorities believe Nancy may have been abducted or kidnapped from her home in Tucson, Arizona, on January 31. When deputies arrived at the residence, they discovered what they described as “concerning evidence,” and they are treating the home as a potential crime scene.

On Saturday (February 7), Savannah and her siblings, sister Annie Guthrie, and brother Camron Guthrie, posted a new video in which they specifically addressed the potential captor.

“We received your message, and we understand,” Savannah said, adding, “We beg you now to return our mother to us so that we can celebrate with her. This is the only way we will have peace… This is very valuable to us, and we will pay.”




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  1. P

    Plutooh

    What a sad world we live in .Get your lives right people line it up with the Bible and it’s scripture.Christ will return soon be ready .

    1. L

      Lutefisk

      Will he return before or after we’re extinct? I don’t want to waste too much effort.

      1. C

        Cece bloom

        Humm is this the Devil 😈 👿

    2. B

      booyahhhhhBitch

      been saying that for over 2000 years.....when is this lucky date....you will be dust in the ground by then.....

      1. C

        Cece bloom

        Wasted no education. Boo.boos. get a life.

    3. C

      Cece bloom

      Be ready u losers.he will let the serpents loose to eat your toungs.sinful ..all of u

      1. M

        Mark Graf

        Just keep giving him your money. Let us handle giving him the finger you sweet, little soul.

    4. C

      Crossminded

      So ready for Jesus in this wicked world. ❤️

  2. F

    Farley

    According to the forensic crypto expert the kidnapper(s) may have erred by giving their wallet address, but the fact that this currency remains the greatest way scammers get away with robbery is telling and should be stopped. These law lifers should have talked to Trump\'s boys how they set up their anonymous World Liberty Financial (WLF) laundering Enterprise. Ha!

  3. B

    booyahhhhhBitch

    This Curry eating Jive is WRONG...you can eat of Bitcoin...I know many places that accept it....even liquor stores....When you get the ransom you send it to another wallet then another, preferably in another country with No extradition treaty.... Venezuela No More...Maybe China, Russia or some shaddy mob dude to cash it quick..... Guarenfuckingteed there are more than 2 people involved in this... probably insider or South America/African/Mexican gang... the only way she is still alive is if it was inside job....

  4. G

    G

    I think it\'s the cartel. The guy looks like he has a tattoo under his right eye.

  5. P

    Pray For Nancy

    I think the husband to her sister Annie has something to do with this.