BlockBeats News, February 4th: In the investigation of the disappearance of Savannah Guthrie’s mother, Nancy Guthrie, during the “TODAY” show, a ransom email demanding payment in the millions of dollars in Bitcoin has emerged. Gossip news website TMZ claimed to have received this ransom email, which included a Bitcoin address, a deadline, and threat content. Nancy Guthrie went missing on the evening of January 31st at her home in Arizona, and the authorities are treating this case as a “possible kidnapping.”
In recent years, the use of cryptocurrency in kidnapping and ransom cases has been increasing. In 2025, there were a record 72 violent extortion attacks against cryptocurrency holders globally, representing a 75% increase from 2024.
