As the FBI intensifies its search for 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie, who was kidnapped in the United States, experts believe that examining her social circle could be crucial to solving the case. Dr. Nancy Zarse, a former FBI consultant and hostage negotiator, emphasized the importance of scrutinizing those with personal connections to Guthrie, including family, friends, and service workers.
“[They would be] family members, spouses of family members, friends, cleaning ladies, yard people, anybody that had some kind of connection, personal connection,” Dr. Zarse told 7.30. “I’m not suggesting it’s the family, but … this doesn’t feel random to me.”
The Disappearance and Its Impact
The case has captured global attention, fueled by mysterious ransom notes, doorbell camera footage, and a black glove found near Guthrie’s home. Nancy Guthrie, the mother of NBC’s Today show co-host Savannah Guthrie, was last seen at her Tucson, Arizona residence on January 31. Before her disappearance, she had visited her daughter Annie Guthrie’s house, six kilometers away, and was driven back by her son-in-law, Tommaso Cioni.
The FBI has conducted multiple searches of Annie and Tommaso’s home, although they have not been named as suspects. Dr. Zarse remains hopeful that Nancy Guthrie is alive, suggesting there may have been some communication with the kidnappers.
Analyzing the Motive
Dr. Zarse, drawing from her experience with the FBI and as a forensic psychologist, finds the choice of victim puzzling. Savannah Guthrie, a prominent NBC figure, has a lucrative contract, making her a more likely target for ransom than her mother.
“It just feels like a really odd target and a really unique case in America,” Dr. Zarse remarked. “On the surface, it would make more sense to kidnap Savannah Guthrie than it would to kidnap the mother of Savannah Guthrie because there’s no indication that the mother is an equally high-value net worth person.”
Despite the FBI’s caution against paying ransoms, Savannah Guthrie has expressed a willingness to do so, which Dr. Zarse warns could be a mistake. “The FBI does not advise that you pay ransoms for several reasons,” she explained, citing potential price increases, funding of criminal activities, and the risk of copycat crimes.
Key Evidence and Investigation Progress
The FBI’s investigation has focused on two critical pieces of evidence. A black glove, found three kilometers from Nancy Guthrie’s home, is believed to match those worn by a masked individual captured on camera. The glove is undergoing DNA analysis at the FBI lab in Quantico, known for its advanced capabilities.
“That DNA evidence is currently at the FBI lab at Quantico, which obviously has the most sophisticated, fastest DNA matching ability in the world,” former FBI agent Rob Chadwick stated.
Chadwick noted that even without an exact DNA match, familial relations might be identified through extensive DNA databases, significantly narrowing the suspect pool. Meanwhile, retired homicide detective Gil Carrillo emphasized the need to search beyond Arizona, citing the vast desert as a potential hiding place.
“You have a great big desert out there, so there’s 1,001 places to hide to keep her secreted someplace,” Carrillo observed.
Family’s Plea for Help
Since Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance on February 1, her children, including Savannah, Camron, and Annie, have made public appeals to those responsible. On Monday, Savannah released a heartfelt video urging the kidnappers to surrender.
“To whoever has her or knows where she is … it is never too late to do the right thing,” she pleaded.
The search for Nancy Guthrie continues, with the FBI exploring all leads and analyzing evidence. As the investigation progresses, the focus remains on her social circle and the potential motives behind her abduction. The family and the public await any breakthrough that could bring Nancy Guthrie home safely.
