An ex-FBI officer has issued a stark warning to ‘Today’ show host Savannah Guthrie and her family, describing the situation surrounding the kidnapping of the 84-year-old Nancy as a “campaign of terror.” The warning comes after Savannah spoke publicly about the ransom notes received following the disappearance.
Speaking to Hoda Kotb in a ‘Today’ interview last week, Savannah said, “I believe the two notes that we received that we responded to, I tend to believe those were real.” Reports indicate that the kidnapper demanded millions of dollars in Bitcoin in exchange for Nancy’s safe return.
Ex-FBI warns of ‘campaign of terror’
Former FBI officer Jennifer Conffindaffer said the notes could be a crucial lead in the investigation. “The most important point Savannah Guthrie made in her interview from an investigator's lens is: Two of the ransom notes are real! This is how this case will be solved. That is likely the number 1 avenue the FBI is pursuing to solve this case,” she wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
“This is a campaign of terror against the Guthries. Kidnap, likely murder, torture with ransom notes that are meaningless except to mentally hurt this family. This is evil!”
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Meanwhile, authorities moved quickly to address speculation after a body was found in a canal in Scottsdale on March 28. Rumours had suggested a possible link to the Guthrie case, but police dismissed the connection. “This is not related to the Nancy Guthrie case,” officials said.
Nancy Guthrie-Update
— Jennifer Coffindaffer (@CoffindafferFBI) March 26, 2026
Investigative epiphanies:
1) Nancy was taken in her pajamas with No shoes. This details the ruthlessness and swiftness of the abduction. They could have cared less about her welfare. Her medicine was left behind.
2) Two of the ransom notes are Real. Back… pic.twitter.com/ROKE3fgrKS
The body of an adult woman was discovered near Indian Bend and Hayden Roads after a passerby alerted authorities around 8 a.m. Police and fire personnel responded and launched a death investigation.
“A death investigation is underway after an adult woman's body was recovered from a canal near Indian Bend and Hayden Roads on March 28th. Police and fire personnel were first called to the area around 8 a.m. after someone walking along the canal saw the body in the water,” officials said.
Authorities worked with SRP and CAP to recover the body. Investigators said they could not initially determine whether there were traumatic injuries due to the condition of the body. The identity of the deceased and the cause of death will be confirmed by the Maricopa County Medical Examiner.
