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A former FBI profiler warned that artificial intelligence has added an 'extra layer of complexity' for investigators trying to verify and decode ransom messages allegedly sent by Nancy Guthrie's captors.
In the days following her middle-of-the-night disappearance from her Tucson, Arizona, home on January 31, alleged ransom notes sent to KOLD and TMZ have emerged as serious leads in the investigation.
Andy Black, the former assistant special agent in charge of the FBI's Tucson office, said the lack of a clear human element in modern technology has definitely 'complicated things for law enforcement,' according to KOLD 13 News.
'Trying to get an assurance that she is still alive or that she is alive is very important,' Black told the outlet.
Just yesterday, KOLD received a second message claiming to be from Guthrie's alleged captors, a development the station said left it 'alarmed.'
The outlet said the new letter made no ransom demands and provided no proof of life, though earlier letters demanded millions in bitcoin in exchange for Guthrie and set a final deadline of Monday.
Black, a digital forensics instructor, explained to the Arizona station that AI has fundamentally altered investigative methods, with the digital element giving perpetrators a near-complete cloak of anonymity.
What once allowed investigators to identify an author - grammar errors, spelling mistakes and individual writing style - can now be entirely masked through AI editing.
In the days following 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie's (pictured) middle-of-the-night disappearance, alleged ransom notes sent to KOLD and TMZ have emerged as serious leads in the investigation
Savannah Guthrie's mother was abducted from her $1 million Arizona home late on January 31 into the early hours of February 1, according to police
Andy Black (pictured), the former assistant special agent in charge of the FBI's Tucson office, said that what once allowed investigators to identify an author of a ransom note - grammar errors, spelling mistakes and writing style - can now be entirely masked through AI editing
'Ransom notes were handwritten, they were typed and payment was expected at a drop location, which was very law enforcement friendly,' Black said.
Black added that although most ransom demands today are digital, powered by AI and cryptocurrency, law enforcement is reportedly keeping pace with these evolving threats.
'It just adds another layer of complexities,' Black told the outlet.
The former FBI official also said Guthrie's case is unusual for a ransom situation.
Black explained that, in his extensive experience, he had never come across a case in which a victim's return was being publicly negotiated through messages sent to the media, while the family simultaneously used social media to request proof of life.
In a social media post, Guthrie's daughter and Today show star Savannah Guthrie said: 'We need to know without a doubt that she is alive and you have her. We want to hear from you and we're ready to listen.'
KOLD reporter Mary Coleman told CNN that the latest note appears to be a 'response to the initial videos that the family put out,' rather than a genuine ransom demand.
'Typically a ransom note, there's a cause and effect kind of thing,' she told the outlet. 'I don't see that in this note.'
Black said that AI has fundamentally altered investigative methods in ransom cases, with the digital element giving perpetrators a near-complete cloak of anonymity
The former FBI official noted the unusual nature of Guthrie’s case, where the victim’s release was publicly negotiated via media messages while the family appealed for proof of life (pictured: Guthrie and her daughter, Savannah)
Retired FBI agent Richard Kolko told CNN that, based on his experience, a sudden shift in ransom demands can dictate a change in the deadline. Private detective, Chris Castorena, is pictured joining the search
Retired FBI agent Richard Kolko told CNN that, based on his experience, a sudden shift in ransom demands can dictate a change in the deadline.
'The FBI routinely talks through deadlines. I know it's a lot of stress on the families, a lot of stress on law enforcement,' Kolko told the outlet.
'But this could be extended, because if they're in it for the business deal, they're going to do everything they can to keep her alive so that they can complete their part of the deal,' he added.
The former senior FBI crisis negotiator said that it can be helpful if Guthrie's alleged kidnapper talks to the media, provided there is a clear line of communication.
'It says that that's the path that they've chosen. But let me make it clear: As a negotiator, you want to make it as easy as possible for the hostage takers to be able to communicate with you, whatever that takes,' Kolko said.
Once a line of communication is in place, he explained, investigators can determine whether the hostage-takers are truly the people behind this high-profile case.
'We'll do whatever we can to communicate with them,' the official added.
On Friday, Coleman told CNN that the second message from Guthrie's alleged captors was sent directly to law enforcement.
In a social media post, Guthrie's daughter and 'Today' show star Savannah Guthrie said: 'We need to know without a doubt that she is alive and you have her. We want to hear from you and we're ready to listen'
The search for Guthrie ramped up Friday night, just hours after her purported abductors delivered the second 'ransom letter'
Forensic FBI teams were seen searching the roof of Guthrie's (pictured) home, where they reportedly discovered a mounted camera that had been missed in earlier searches
The Pima County Sheriff's Department said the IP address from the email did not match the one used in the message sent to the station earlier this week.
However, Coleman said 'it appears the sender used the same type of secure server' to hide their information entirely.
Confusion surrounding the legitimacy of the 'ransom letters' follows the arrest of California resident Derrick Callella on Thursday, after he was allegedly found to have texted Nancy's daughter Annie and son-in-law Tommaso Cioni in a hoax ransom plot.
Callella allegedly admitted to sending the messages to capitalize on the turmoil surrounding Nancy's abduction and potential ransom demands, and told investigators he was 'just trying to see if the family would respond.'
The messages Callella sent to the Guthrie family are believed to be separate to those sent to TMZ and KOLD this week - one of which reportedly set a 5pm deadline on Thursday for millions in Bitcoin to be paid 'or else.'
TMZ reported that a secondary, 'more serious' deadline was also set for Monday.
Forensic FBI teams were seen searching the roof of Guthrie's home Friday, where they reportedly discovered a mounted camera that had been missed in earlier searches.
A dark SUV was also towed from the home's garage, with yesterday's searches marking the third time investigators returned to the crime scene where Guthrie was reported missing on Sunday.
A dark SUV was also towed from the home's garage, with yesterday's searches marking the third time investigators returned to the crime scene
As the investigation escalated Friday, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said he believes Guthrie (right) is 'still alive' and described interviews with staff at her home as 'helpful'
Over a dozen vehicles descended on the home throughout the day, including forensics teams, FBI agents and sheriff's deputies
Over a dozen vehicles descended on the home throughout the day, including forensics teams, FBI agents and sheriff's deputies.
As the investigation escalated Friday, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said he believes Guthrie is 'still alive' and described interviews with staff at her home as 'helpful.'
'What I believe is that Nancy was removed from her home against her will, and that we need to find her. That’s what I believe. She’s still alive,' Nanos said.
'I believe that I have no choice until something shows me, a piece of physical evidence shows me that that’s different,' he added.
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