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Authorities ‘aware’ of reports of possible ransom note in Nancy Guthrie disappearance

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Authorities ‘aware’ of reports of possible ransom note in Nancy Guthrie disappearance

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TUCSON, Ariz. – The Pima County Sheriff’s Department confirmed on Tuesday it is “aware” of reports of a possible ransom note in relation to the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, mother of NBC “Today” co-host Savannah Guthrie.

“We are aware of reports circulating about possible ransom note(s) regarding the investigation into Nancy Guthrie,” officials wrote in a statement Tuesday afternoon. 

The sheriff’s office added it is taking all tips and leads “very seriously.”

“Anything that comes in, goes directly to our detectives who are coordinating with the FBI,” officials wrote.

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INVESTIGATION INTO DISAPPEARANCE OF SAVANNAH GUTHRIE’S MOTHER TAKES DARK TURN AND MORE TOP HEADLINES

The announcement came minutes after TMZ reportedly received an unverified ransom note demanding a “substantial amount” of money in the form of Bitcoin cryptocurrency for Guthrie’s return.

TMZ said it verified the Bitcoin address is “real,” noting it included unreleased details about her disappearance.

TMZ said it contacted law enforcement, as the note included a deadline.

An undated photo of Nancy Guthrie and Savannah Guthrie provided by NBC in response to the disappearance of the 84-year-old mother of the “Today” host. (Courtesy of NBC)

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Local outlet KOLD 13 News also reportedly received what appears to be a ransom note, though it is unclear if the letters received by TMZ and KOLD are identical.

“Our newsroom also received what appears to be a ransom note, and we have sent it to law enforcement,” KOLD reporter Mary Coleman wrote in a statement on X.

In an interview with Fox News Channel’s Bret Baier on “Special Report,” FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed federal officials are aware of a ransom note while reiterating that local police are acting as the lead investigative agency in Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance. 

“The local authorities notified the FBI of it, and we are working with them in any manner they choose,” Patel said. “But remember, they’re the lead right now, and we have to respect that. But we are there to help them in any way we can – on ransom notes or otherwise.”

TIMELINE: NBC HOST SAVANNAH GUTHRIE’S MOTHER DISAPPEARS AS SHERIFF SAYS SHE MAY HAVE BEEN ‘ABDUCTED’

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Retired FBI special agent Jason Pack told Fox News Digital the letters will need to be authenticated, cautioning that scammers are known to take advantage of families involved in missing person cases.

‪”Scammers will do things that are very distasteful, like scamming the loved ones of people missing, but the police have to take it seriously until they can prove it’s not real,” Pack said. “And it ties up resources that could be devoted to an investigation.”

‬Guthrie, 84, was last seen at her Tucson home at about 9:30 p.m. Saturday, according to the sheriff’s office. 

While officials did not immediately elaborate on the circumstances of her disappearance, they said they believe Guthrie was either kidnapped or abducted.

A law enforcement source told Fox News Digital that there were “blood drops” leading from the entryway outside down the house’s pathway toward the driveway. 

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Guthrie did not attend her Sunday church service, leading another churchgoer to notify the family, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said.

Family members went to the house at about 11 a.m. and called 911 around noon.

An undated photo of Nancy Guthrie and Savannah Guthrie provided by NBC in repsonse to the disappearance of the 84-year-old mother of the “Today” host. (Courtesy of NBC)

SAVANNAH GUTHRIE ASKS FOR PRAYER AS HER MOTHER REMAINS MISSING: ‘WE NEED YOU’

The Pima County Sheriff’s Department told Fox News Digital on Monday that officials believe Nancy Guthrie was either kidnapped or abducted.

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It is unclear if she was targeted, or if the suspected kidnapping was random.

Savannah Guthrie spoke out on Instagram in a post Monday, writing “We need you.”

Exteriors of missing person Nancy Guthrie’s home in Tucson, Ariz. Nancy Guthrie, mother of ‘Today’ show host Savannah Guthrie, is suspected of being abducted from her home earlier this week. (Derek Shook for Fox News Digital)

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“We believe in prayer. We believe in voices raised in unison, in love, in hope. We believe in goodness. We believe in humanity. Above all, we believe in Him,” she wrote. “Thank you for lifting your prayers with ours for our beloved mom, our dearest Nancy, a woman of deep conviction, a good and faithful servant. Raise your prayers with us and believe with us that she will be lifted by them in this very moment.”

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Anyone with information on the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie is asked to call the tipline at 1-800-CALL-FBI.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

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Los Angeles, Ca

Burglars ransack Sherman Oaks condo building during fumigation

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Burglars ransack Sherman Oaks condo building during fumigation

Burglars stole thousands of dollars worth of items after ransacking a Sherman Oaks condominium building that was being fumigated. In June, residents of the building on Moorpark Street near Fulton Avenue said they were forced to leave their homes for three days for a planned fumigation. Feeling nervous about leaving the building unattended, residents came […]

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Los Angeles, Ca

Knee irritation forces Shohei Ohtani out of Friday start, All‑Star game

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Knee irritation forces Shohei Ohtani out of Friday start, All‑Star game

Shohei Ohtani will not make his scheduled start Friday night against the Arizona Diamondbacks because of continued irritation in his left knee, the Los Angeles Dodgers announced Friday.

Ohtani left a June 11 game against the Pittsburgh Pirates due to irritation in his left knee, which underwent surgery in 2019 to correct a congenital condition called bipartite patella.

According to ESPN, he has been managing the issue since.

Due to the injury, Ohtani will also not travel to Philadelphia or participate in the 2026 All‑Star Game.

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The two-way star will serve as the designated hitter through the weekend, and after the series, “he will have some interventions on his knee to put him in the best position for the second half of the season,” according to the Dodgers.

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Los Angeles, Ca

O.C. police prep for beach, theme park ‘takeovers’ promoted on social media

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O.C. police prep for beach, theme park ‘takeovers’ promoted on social media

A woman injured during the chaotic Fourth of July beach takeover in Newport Beach is speaking out as authorities prepare for a similar event that could target nearby Huntington Beach this weekend, as well as an Orange County theme park.

The July 4 gathering in Newport Beach devolved into violence, with fires set, businesses looted and law enforcement officers targeted with explosives.

More than 400 people were arrested in connection with the unrest. Authorities later said many of those taken into custody had traveled from Arizona and Nevada.

Among the dozens of people injured was Cassandra Torres, a longtime Orange County resident who said she never expected to become a victim while celebrating the holiday in a city she has visited for years.

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“It’s horrible. It’s disgusting behavior, and now we’re paying for it,” Torres told KTLA.

Torres said she was riding her e-bike when a large crowd of young people suddenly rushed toward her.

“The next thing I know, I’m waking up with strangers around me, which I’m grateful for all of them, and all I hear is, ‘She got pushed off her bike,’” she recalled.

She was taken to a hospital, where she was treated for multiple injuries, including serious cuts, bruising and a concussion.

“I’ve never seen a hospital that busy in my life,” Torres said. “It was supposed to be a safe, fun day, and it turned into a nightmare.”

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As victims continue to recover and investigators sort through the aftermath, law enforcement agencies are now focused on preventing another large-scale disturbance after social media posts promoted a so-called “Beach Bash” in Huntington Beach.

The Huntington Beach Police Department acknowledged the online flyer in a social media post Thursday, writing:

“Dear ‘Beach Bash’ organizers… Thanks for the flyer. We’ve seen it too. We have no intention of allowing that to happen here.”

In a statement to KTLA, the department said it has implemented a comprehensive public safety plan.

“Our comprehensive public safety plan includes increased staffing, proactive enforcement and the deployment of specialized resources throughout the city,” police said. “We are coordinating closely with our regional law enforcement partners and are prepared to respond quickly to any criminal activity.”

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Officials also warned that anyone who organizes, promotes, encourages or participates in criminal acts associated with a takeover event could face arrest and prosecution.

Officials at Knott’s Berry Farm said they were also aware of a social media post promoting a teen takeover of the park over the weekend. Buena Park police officials said they plan to have an increased presence at the park.

As for Torres, a GoFundMe has been organized to cover her medical expenses as she continues to recover and follow up with specialists.

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