The Bitcoin address cited in a ransom note connected to Nancy Guthrie's disappearance registered activity Tuesday, hours following FBI release of photographs and footage showing a masked individual believed to be the kidnapping suspect.
TMZ founder Harvey Levin, discussing the case, stated the digital wallet referenced in the note had demonstrated recent movement, though no additional details were disclosed.
Authorities have not publicly verified the ransom note's authenticity or confirmed whether the Bitcoin account activity directly relates to Guthrie's disappearance.
Law enforcement agencies continue their investigation and have declined to address Levin's statements.
Four black-and-white images showing a balaclava-wearing individual positioned outside Nancy's residence the morning following her last sighting were released Tuesday, February 10.
The disclosure arrives eight days after Savannah Guthrie's mother initially vanished during the early February 1 hours, with authorities suspecting the 84-year-old was taken during sleep.
Read more: FBI offiers $50,000 reward for information leading to recovery of Nancy Guthrie
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Authorities intensified the case following property searches that uncovered what they characterized as troubling indicators Nancy may not have departed willingly.
Reports suggest personal items and vital medication remained behind, while blood splatter evidence was additionally located at the location.
An unconfirmed ransom demand has subsequently reached multiple media organizations, though law enforcement has not authenticated the note's legitimacy.
It purportedly declares: "You will have no way of contacting me. This is the only contact," according to TMZ founder Harvey Levin, who received the ransom correspondence.
The Today show presenter delivered an emotional public appeal earlier this week, joined by family members as the search persists.
Levin stated: "They went to great lengths in sending this email to us, making sure they stay anonymous. I don't know that the FBI is at all close to figuring out where it came from, my guess is that they haven't, based on what our IT team has done here. So I don't think they know who sent this."
He suggested the absence of communication methods may account for the family's public entreaties: "That's why I believe that they are begging for this because they have absolutely no avenue to make contact."
Ransom demands have allegedly been transmitted to various outlets, though officials have not confirmed their authenticity.
The FBI has declared a $50,000 reward for intelligence resulting in Nancy Guthrie's safe recovery.
No suspects have been identified currently.
Criminal defense attorney Brad Vinson, a Smith and Vinson Law Firm partner in Austin, Texas, provided his assessment to Irish Star US.
Vinson stated: "Stranger kidnappings of elderly adults are extremely rare. If foul play is involved, motives are more likely personal rather than financial. Investigators would typically focus on access and opportunity rather than public notoriety."
Law enforcement officials revisited Nancy Guthrie's Tucson property Wednesday, where investigators were observed inspecting the garage.
The Pima County Sheriff's Department indicated the visit constituted routine follow-up procedures.
Sheriff Chris Nanos cautioned that time remains critical, informing reporters: "Time is not on our side."
Authorities suspect Nancy may have been taken sometime between 9:45pm Saturday evening and Sunday morning.
The investigation continues.
