Nancy Guthrie AI image incident — Oct 2026

Former FBI agent and NewsNation contributor Jennifer Coffindaffer reported receiving four ransom emails related to the disappearance of 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie, which included an AI-generated image of the missing woman. The emails, received in April, attempted to solicit Bitcoin payments for Guthrie's release while incorporating Bible verses to manipulate recipients.

What happened

The scam involved the distribution of unsolicited ransom notes sent to individuals connected to the case, including Coffindaffer and Guthrie's neighbor, Lauren Serpa. One of the emails featured an AI-generated image of Guthrie designed to exploit the emotions of those following the investigation. The perpetrators demanded payments of one or two bitcoins, though the provided wallet addresses did not match those found in notes considered legitimate by investigators.

Coffindaffer, who believes she was targeted due to her public commentary on the case, reported the communications to the FBI. She noted that her personal email address is not publicly available, leading her to suspect the involvement of an organized group. The Pima County Sheriff's Department, which is investigating Guthrie's February 1 disappearance as a kidnapping for ransom, has deemed these ransom notes not credible. Authorities have issued a warning to the public, urging individuals not to send money or share personal information in response to such unsolicited messages.