Profiler calls Nancy Guthrie note ‘poetic’ — thinks woman wrote it — also latest on bitcoin search

Criminal profiler Dr. Gary Brucato analyzed the language of the second ransom note, which claimed Nancy Guthrie was dead, describing it as 'poetic,' 'stilted,' and sensitive. He concluded that these linguistic characteristics are suggestive of a female writer, drawing parallels to forensic linguistic analysis in other high-profile cases like the JonBenét Ramsey case. This implies a potential rupture in the group of perpetrators, with one more emotionally inclined.

Dr. Brucato states, "The language is almost poetic. It's peculiar... the sensitivity and passivity in the language can be a giveaway... I am inclined to think that the first note doesn't necessarily sound like it was written by a female and what I'm sensing is a rupture between the people involved." He later adds, "The language was also very peculiar, stilted... like you would see in somebody who was kind of poetically inclined, a writer, that kind of person."

Sean O'Connor, a cybersecurity executive, clarified that while Bitcoin transactions are public and pseudonymous, the FBI's attempt to trace the ransom failed because the initial $152 sent (a 'dusting attack') was never moved from the recipient's 'burner wallet.' Without any subsequent transactions, there is no digital trail for law enforcement to follow, rendering advanced tracing tools ineffective in this specific scenario.

O'Connor explains, "Tracing follows movement... that $152 that they that they sent initially hasn't moved anywhere... in this case, the trail hasn't gone cold. It just never started." He adds that the perpetrator likely used a 'burner wallet' with no transaction history.

Dr. Brucato maintains his long-held belief that the perpetrators are local and had some degree of knowledge about Nancy Guthrie. He suggests that the 'Porch Guy' seen on video was likely a 'goon' hired to create the impression of an outsider, while the individuals 'behind the curtain' knew Nancy intimately. He bases this on the common pattern in crimes where insiders attempt to stage an outsider attack but do a 'bad job' of it, lacking the imagination to fully conceal their connection.

Dr. Brucato states, "My guess is that whoever is behind this has some degree of knowledge of her. They've worked with her, they've been around her, they know her intimately... you have to go out and get someone to give the impression of an outsider." He also mentions, "I do think that it's locals."

Regarding the second note's apology for Nancy's death, Dr. Brucato posits that it's unlikely to be a genuine expression of remorse from an abductor. Instead, he suggests it could be a pragmatic attempt to preempt legal consequences ('covering one's butt') or a false narrative to conceal an intentional homicide. He notes that if true remorse were the motive, the note would have provided information for closure, such as Nancy's location.

Dr. Brucato states, "I don't think that the type of person who would be responsible for abducting an 84-year-old woman would write an apology note without it having a selfish motive." He later adds, "Why are you not leading people to where she is? ...I lean in the direction of it being a pragmatic and selfish deed."