Authorities are investigating a new message related to the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the mother of "Today" show co-host Savannah Guthrie, according to the Pima County Sheriff's Department and the FBI. The message, the nature of which has not been disclosed, is being scrutinized for its authenticity as the search for the 84-year-old continues.
The FBI and the Pima County Sheriff's Department both released statements on social media Friday, confirming their awareness of the new message. "Investigators are actively inspecting the information provided in the message for its authenticity," the sheriff's department stated. Authorities believe Nancy Guthrie is "still out there" after she was reported missing by her family last weekend when she didn't show up for church. Blood found outside her home has been confirmed to be hers, local officials said earlier in the week.
The disappearance has taken a new turn with the emergence of a possible ransom note. The note, which investigators are taking seriously, demanded payment in bitcoin, according to CBS News. The note included a deadline of 5 p.m. Thursday, though the time zone was not specified. If the payment wasn't made, the note specified another deadline of Monday.
The demand for bitcoin raises questions about the ability to track the kidnapper's identity, given the cryptocurrency's semi-anonymous nature. Experts told CBS News that law enforcement officials can track information about the people or organizations behind crypto transactions, potentially leading to the identification of those involved.
In other news, a judge in Luigi Mangione's state trial set a June 8 trial date for the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, leading Mangione to have an outburst Friday as court concluded. The judge said the federal government may delay the federal trial, which could push the state trial to September 8.
Also, as fans prepared to attend the Super Bowl in California, officials warned them to leave their drones at home. The police chief in Santa Clara, where the game will be played, said authorities are prepared to shoot down a drone, if necessary. Retired Army Col. Bill Edwards, who runs counter-drone training, noted the risks posed by drones, whether due to malfunction or malicious intent.
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