Man who claims to know ID of Nancy Guthrie kidnapper sends third email to TMZ demanding $100k in Bitcoin

A man who claims to know the identity of the person who kidnapped Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of Today show host Savannah Guthrie who was reported missing from her Arizona home nearly two weeks ago, has sent a new email to TMZ with a new demand for money.

Per TMZ, the man suggested that the FBI doubling their reward for information in the case was a move designed "to discredit me." The man had initially demanded one Bitcoin, worth around $68,000 as of Friday, to hand over the name and location of the kidnapper.

The man now wants the $100,000 reward, but issued through Bitcoin. The outlet said he wants $50,000 up front, a fraction of one Bitcoin, to hand over "the name of the main individual," and then wants the other $50,000. He reportedly said he would not withdraw the first of the funds until the kidnapper is arrested.

TMZ said the email referred to the current state of Guthrie, writing, "We will not be specific." The man reportedly said he was contacting the outlet because he doesn’t trust law enforcement.

Other emails sent earlier in the week from the man said, "If they want the name of the individual involved then I want 1 Bitcoin to the following wallet. Time is more than relevant," and "I am not being taken seriously."

In addition to raising the reward on Thursday night, investigators also released new identifying details about a suspect seen in previously circulated doorbell camera footage. The suspect is described as a male, approximately 5’9” to 5’10” tall, with an average build. He is seen wearing a black, 25-liter “Ozark Trail Hiker Pack” backpack. The FBI said that since February 1, they have received over 13,000 tips related to the case.