There has been activity in the Bitcoin account connected to a ransom in the Nancy Guthrie case, according to TMZ’s Harvey Levin. This comes as there has been increasing law enforcement presence in Guthrie‘s neighborhood.
“As of a few minutes ago, for the first time we saw activity” in the Bitcoin account, Levin told CNN. The account was reportedly connected to a ransom note that was distributed to TMZ as well as other news stations after the disappearance of Guthrie.
The report was also confirmed by a local reporter Ford Hatchett in Phoenix, Arizona. The amount was reported to be less than $300 that was deposited in the account.
Levin said you would only see activity in the account if there was money going in. The reported activity in the account comes as there has been an apparent increase in police efforts in a search for the suspect in the case. Fox reported that SWAT vehicles were seen leaving a station in Arizona, but it was unclear if they were connected to the case.
Fox True Crime reported, “Two SWAT armored vehicles have just departed the Pima County Sheriff’s parking lot, though it is unclear if the movement is related to investigation surrounding Nancy Guthrie. Fox News observed deputies loading shields and other tactical gear before leaving.”
An FBI hostage team was also reportedly in the area on Tuesday evening.
The Bitcoin account, which was allegedly set up to receive a $6 million ransom demand, was empty on Monday afternoon when the deadline for the reported ransom passed. TMZ had reported that it obtained a ransom note for the 84-year-old mother of Today host Savannah Guthrie. The deadline was listed as 5 pm Arizona time or 7 pm eastern. There had been a previous deadline for Thursday which expired.
Earlier on Tuesday, photo and videos of the suspect in the case were released, showing the individual tampering with the doorbell camera at Guthrie’s home before her disappearance. Swat vehicles, helicopters, as well as a bomb squad were seen in Guthrie’s neighborhood on Tuesday afternoon.
