Nancy Guthrie case could hinge on mystery tipster who emailed TMZ
A potential anonymous tipster in the Nancy Guthrie probe may be a female, even though she's been using male pseudonyms in her communications with the media, as experts believe human sources may be the best way to bring the unsolved case to a close.
"The person used several different male names, but it was always the same Bitcoin address," TMZ founder Harvey Levin, who has received a series of emails from the purported whistleblower, told Fox News Digital Tuesday. "Other than being told they think it might be a female, they didn't say why."
The individual used multiple male aliases in communications seeking payment in exchange for information sent to TMZ, although Levin said investigators recently told him they believe the sender could actually be a woman.
This person repeatedly claimed to know the identity of the kidnappers and the location of Guthrie's body, Levin said. The FBI, which is handling aspects of the Guthrie probe connected to the purported ransom notes, declined to comment.
EVERYTHING WE KNOW ABOUT NANCY GUTHRIE'S POSSIBLE RANSOM NOTE
"They are still actively looking for that person and believe they may well find this person now," Levin added.
Josh Ritter, a California attorney and Fox News contributor, said the possibility that the mysterious tipster could be connected to the perpetrators fits a pattern often seen in criminal investigations.
"Even if people weren't aware of it ahead of time, they likely became aware of it once this became a media sensation case," he said.
WATCH: FBI source claims kidnappers panicked after Nancy Guthrie's alleged death: TMZ
TMZ was among a number of media outlets that received purported ransom demands in connection with the Guthrie case — and the outlet later received messages from someone claiming to have information on the case.
Levin said he'd offered to pay the purported tipster just to see if the information panned out as part of a planned documentary on the case.
FOLLOW THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM ON X
"They asked us to stand down on the documentary, which we did," he told Fox News Digital. "We told them we wouldn't do anything without their approval, because we don't want to mess with the investigation."
However, he said, while authorities have been unable to catch whoever sent the ransom notes through digital forensics, old-fashioned detective work and the potential for an accomplice to gab may lead investigators to the perpetrator or co-conspirators.
SIGN UP TO GET TRUE CRIME NEWSLETTER
"They're frustrated because they have put a lot of effort into tracking down whoever wrote these ransom notes to no avail, and I was talking to this person today from the FBI and this is the second time this person said this to me, that the likelihood is this case is going to be solved in six months, a year, two years," Levin said. "Somebody goes to a bar and starts bragging about it, or an ex-lover decides, screw my ex, and I'm going to authorities to blow the whistle...they believe that is going to happen. That it may happen sooner or later, but they really believe it's going to happen."
Guthrie’s daughter, "Today" co-host Savannah Guthrie, echoed that theme Tuesday as she renewed her appeal for the public’s help in an on-set appearance.
"I just want to take the opportunity to ask people, really to beg people to come forward," she said. "Somebody knows something. This is a news story today that is on your radar, but this is the life that my sister lives; I live; my brother lives; our extended families live; our children live every day. We are in agony."
Ritter said he's hopeful that the media star's public pleas are heard by the right person.
LISTEN TO THE NEW 'CRIME & JUSTICE WITH DONNA ROTUNNO' PODCAST
"This was not some professional operation," he added.
And under similar circumstances, co-conspirators often have historically had a hard time keeping quiet about a case, he said.
"I firmly believe that there's somebody out there who is either directly involved or has come to learn who was involved after the fact," Ritter told Fox News Digital. "And with that many mouths out there, somebody's going to have a hard time keeping their mouth shut, and somebody's going to brag. Somebody's going to say something when they get in trouble."
Ritter said that after nearly 20 weeks, the most likely breakthrough may come from a witness or associate rather than a forensic development.
"Whatever forensic work they had to do, whatever work with the DNA, they've probably done that and seen it to its limit and it's not turning up anything," he said. "So in my view, the best chances this thing has is somebody says something."
LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? FIND MORE ON THE TRUE CRIME HUB
Levin said federal investigators appear to share the view that human sources may ultimately crack the case and remain focused on people who may have inside knowledge of the kidnapping.
"Somebody just needs to work up the courage that they're fearful for whatever reason of coming forward and they get past that fear, or the money becomes enticing enough and they come forward about it," Ritter said.
Anyone with information on Guthrie's case is asked to dial 1-800-CALL-FBI. There is a combined reward of more than $1.2 million for information that cracks the case.
Tips can be provided anonymously to Tucson's Crime Stoppers affiliate, 88-Crime, at 1-520-882-7463.