Nancy Guthrie disappearance hits new roadblock as ransom-related tips "increase"
Tucson, Arizona - Tips regarding Nancy Guthrie's whereabouts are flooding in after the FBI released two ransom notes in full, but it's not necessarily helping investigators clear current roadblocks.
The Pima County Sheriff's Office confirmed it's seen a "slight increase" in tips after the July 31 release of the two ransom notes received regarding Nancy's disappearance.
"Nancy Guthrie Task Force investigators have seen a slight increase in tips since the two ransom notes were released last week," Pima County Sheriff's Office Public Information Officer Angelica Carrillo reportedly told Fox News. "All tips have been followed up on."
Though investigators have yet to confirm the legitimacy of the released notes, they're – along with Nancy's daughter and Today Show co-host Savannah Guthrie – hoping the public can help fill some missing pieces.
Forensic psychologist Dr. Kris Mohandie told Fox News on Sunday he doesn't think the ransom notes are "legit," noting that, still, "a good investigation keeps an open mind."
Because authorities haven't spoken publicly about the legitimacy of the notes, it's left room for speculation from members of the public and experts, like Mohandie, who was quick to pinpoint what gives him pause.
"I certainly question the legitimacy of the so-called ransom note in which the individual is sending it to a news outlet, saying this will be a ransom, so on and so forth," Mohandie said. "There are a lot of things wrong with that ransom note, and it raised a lot of questions for me of veracity."
Still, he understands the reasoning behind the decision to release the notes.
"I understand why law enforcement needs to investigate these as potential leads, and it is a strategy that has worked," he said. "So they need to put that out there. Maybe somebody does recognize something unique in these writings."
Nancy Guthrie is believed to have been taken from her Arizona home sometime in the early hours of February 1. Her last known sighting was on January 31. No arrests have been made in connection with her disappearance.
Cover photo: Collage: JOE RAEDLE / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP