JUST IN: ‘Activity’ Reported In Bitcoin Account Tied To Ransom Note In Nancy Guthrie Case

TMZ founder Harvey Levin is reporting that “activity” has been observed in the cryptocurrency account tied to the ransom notes that were reportedly sent to the Guthrie family on February 2.

The ransom notes, the first of which was sent to TMZ and a number of Arizona-based outlets on February 2, allegedly demanded $6 million in Bitcoin payments and threatened Guthrie’s life if demands were not met. The notes further outlined two deadlines, the first being February 5 and a second on February 9, both of which have passed.

Levin previously reported that from what he can share on the case, the demand “would change” if the February 5 deadline was not met.

While speaking with CNN’s Erin Burnett on Tuesday, Levin reported that “activity” had been seen in the Bitcoin account for the first time. Levin reported the activity without providing further details on its nature, such as whether it involved incoming funds, outgoing transfers, or other blockchain movements.

“That’s what I can’t talk about. There are reasons I can’t, but all I can say is there is now activity in that Bitcoin account,” Levin told CNN.

Local outlet KGUN — which also received a ransom note followed up Levin’s report by confirming that they too observed activity in the account for the first time. The activity happened sometime after 7:09 p.m. Eastern Time and involved a dollar amount less than $300.

When asked whether the ongoing law enforcement activity around Annie Guthrie’s house could be related to images of a suspect being released Tuesday morning, Levin indicated that he did not feel comfortable answering that question right now. “I’m not trying to be cagey…It’s, I will explain at a point why, but I just cannot say anything right now,” he said.

“I will say that it’s not like, I don’t know if you’ve talked about this yet, but the images and the video that we saw today, this is not something that law enforcement had and just decided to finally kind of dole out,” Levin added in reference to the images of the suspect. “They just got it as well. So they were not withholding it. They released it as soon as they got it.”

Guthrie’s children previously indicated that they would be willing to pay in a cryptic video post uploaded this past Saturday.

The bombshell update comes just hours after investigators released the first images of the person of interest, which were obtained through a disabled ring camera through residual data. Footage shows an armed individual dressed in long pants, a jacket, ski mask and a backpack approaching the front door before attempting to cover the camera with a clump of glass.

TMZ previously reported, citing law enforcement sources, that investigators believe the individual(s) responsible for the ransom notes are local to the Tucson area. This is due to details and phrasing in the notes that indicate familiarity with local landmarks, as well as the notes being sent primarily to Arizona-based outlets.

Authorities have previously disclosed that the notes contained details of property damage observed at Guthrie’s home. Such information led investigators to believe Guthrie was abducted against her will, as her home showed signs of forced entry.

Authorities with the FBI and Pima County Sheriff’s Department continue to canvass the area near the home of Guthrie’s daughter, Annie, located about 10 minutes away from where the abduction took place. Investigators could be heard asking residents if they could review doorbell cameras before conducting searches around the property.

Particularly emphasis appears to be placed on brush areas, sheds and other outlying areas around properties. The searches are ongoing as of 8:04 p.m. Eastern Time.

NOW: Federal agents are canvassing Annie Guthrie's neighborhood on foot. Doing what appears to be a systematic sweep, combing through desert brush and going door-to-door talking to neighbors. pic.twitter.com/2fXUEJjri9

— Matt Finn (@MattFinnFNC) February 11, 2026

Fox News had previously reported that SWAT vehicles were seen leaving the Pima County Sheriff’s headquarters around 6 p.m. Eastern Time. The outlet reported that the activity was indeed related to the Guthrie disappearance, though additional updates have not emerged as of this report.

Heightened law enforcement activity remains ongoing in the area, as the search drags through its 10th day. The FBI is offering a $50,000 reward for information that leads to Guthrie’s return.