Nancy Guthrie Update: Ex-FBI Agent Explains How to Respond to Ransom Notes
What To Know
- Former FBI agent Jennifer Coffindaffer suggests investigators could use a tactic called “tickling the wire” by sending half a Bitcoin to the ransom note sender.
- Nancy Guthrie, mother of Savannah Guthrie, has been missing since February 1 from her Arizona home.
- Coffindaffer believes the ransom notes are likely a scam, as the sender is not seeking the official $1.2 million reward, but still recommends the tactic to possibly identify and apprehend the extortionist.
After ransom notes demanded one bitcoin in exchange for information on the Nancy Guthrie case, a former FBI agent is sharing one tactic investigators could use.
Jennifer Coffindaffer told Newsweek that investigators could “tickle the wire,” a federal law enforcement tactic in which investigators take action to get a target to reveal incriminating details.
“Tickling the wire in this case would be putting half a bitcoin and seeing what happens to it,” Coffindaffer said. “Do they take it? Do they convert it to pesos? It’s internationally tracked. How does it come out into currency? Do they just leave it there?”
Nancy Guthrie, mother of Today co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, has been missing from her home near Tucson, Arizona, since February 1. Authorities are treating the case as a kidnapping, especially with the recovery of doorbell camera footage of a masked man at the house’s front door.
On Monday, TMZ received two new ransom notes from someone claiming to have information on the kidnappers. In the first note, the sender said their previous offer to provide information for the price of one Bitcoin still stands.
“It’s unbelievable that millions have been wasted and yet here I am willing to deliver them on a silver platter since the 11th of February for a bitcoin but I am disregarded as a scam,” they wrote. “They are free and the case is frozen but the ego’s [sic] remain hot when it comes to me. Arrogance at it’s [sic] finest.”
In the second note, the sender claimed they saw Nancy “alive with them in the state of Sonora, Mexico.”
Coffindaffer said she believes the ransom notes are a scam, since the sender isn’t seeking the $1.2 million in reward money offered through official channels. The ex-FBI agent told Newsweek it’s “very unlikely” the person behind the ransom notes has information on the Nancy Guthrie case, but she still thinks it would be worth it to pay a half-Bitcoin to identify that sender.
“Once it’s gone, it’s going to be gone. But I would want that last bread crumb. I think it would be worth it to me,” Coffindaffer said. “Minimally, you might be able [to] get this extortionist off the street. For $34,000, that’s a cheap price.”
Conversation9 Comments
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S
Its just so weird, I think this whole thing is bogus. I mean they havent found her yet, and are willing to pay money to someone they believe that doesnt even know where the mom is. Why? I really have a feeling this is a total inside job. For publicity!
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E
Who needs publicity? Tmz is top. . Savannah G is top. Who else needs it like that? What i think is weird is that a house next door is vacant at the same time as this has been happening but nothing? This person said they have her and they just let it be, assuming its a scam? Isnt 'assuming ' a bad way to solve cases?
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C
I'm curious if they have scanned the eyes of the the intruder through any sort of software. With technology these days, his could be recorded somewhere.
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S
And you know that, how?
Maybe you should have added, your educational background, and present working qualifications, to make it, more persuasive .
It is still time
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T
Something is very wrong I don’t think giving money is going to solve nothing just wait and pray I think very soon the true is coming aut
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M
They need to send some proof. And not going for the million dollar reward would likely get you caught. Watching crime shows, shows greed will get you caught.
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G
Enough bull💩
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M
I don't think it's an inside job, there's been no gain, Ms Guthrie was already well known. I don't believe in the ransom notes either. What is easier to hide for months: a dead body or a live one???? That is the question.
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L
Very sorry to the Guthries
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