Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of Today Show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, has been missing from her home in Tucson, Arizona, since February 1. Authorities have now confirmed that the case is being treated as a kidnapping, not a routine missing-person investigation.
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department, working with the FBI, says there are currently no confirmed leads on Nancy Guthrie’s whereabouts.
Case Upgraded to Criminal Investigation
Investigators believe Nancy Guthrie was taken from her home during the night. Officials have confirmed signs of forced entry, suggesting she was abducted against her will.
DNA samples collected from the scene matched only Nancy Guthrie. No suspect DNA has been identified so far.
Could Revenge Be the Motive?
Former FBI officials have begun publicly discussing possible motives behind the kidnapping, though authorities have not confirmed any theory.
Former FBI supervisor James Gagliano said kidnappings generally fall into two categories: profit or revenge.
Another former FBI agent, Tracy Walder, suggested the abduction may be connected to Savannah Guthrie’s public profile. She said it is possible the suspect holds a grievance or obsession related to the journalist’s work.
Former FBI agent Brad Garrett added that targeting a family member is sometimes done to pressure or harm a high-profile individual.
Officials stress these are expert opinions, not conclusions from the investigation.
Ransom Angle Raises Red Flags
Alongside the kidnapping investigation, authorities dealt with a ransom scam that complicated the case.
Several media outlets, including TMZ, received an unverified ransom message demanding millions of dollars in Bitcoin for Nancy Guthrie’s release.
Former FBI agent Lance Leising said it is unusual for ransom demands to be sent to media organizations instead of directly to the family.
Another former FBI official, Andrew McCabe, noted that legitimate kidnappers typically provide proof of life, which has not happened in this case.
Fake Ransom Sender Arrested
On February 6, federal authorities arrested Derrick Callella, a California resident, for allegedly sending the fake ransom demand.
Investigators confirmed the message was not connected to Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance. Authorities said the arrest does not indicate progress in locating her.
What Police Have Confirmed So Far
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Evidence suggests a nighttime abduction
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Signs of forced entry were found
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No suspects or persons of interest have been named
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FBI and local law enforcement continue joint investigation
Conflicting reports about a possible blood trail at the home have not been officially confirmed.
Claims Against Family Members Denied
A journalist recently claimed on a podcast that a family member by marriage could be a suspect. However, the Pima County Sheriff’s Department has clearly stated that no family members are suspects at this time.
Officials urged the public to rely only on verified updates from law enforcement.
Investigation Ongoing
Six days after Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance, investigators have not released new information about her location.
The Guthrie family continues to ask for privacy while authorities pursue all credible leads.
