A FORMER FBI official is offering a bombshell theory on Nancy Guthrie’s alleged ransom notes as the clock runs out on the payment deadline.
Today show host Savannah Guthrie and her family have agreed to pay the $6 million ransom demanded in the note.
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The Guthrie family issued a third plea for the return of their mother and offered to pay the $6 million ransom in a video released SaturdayCredit: Reuters
The 84-year-old grandmother has been missing since SundayCredit: Getty
An FBI official offered a grim theory in Nancy’s disappearanceCredit: Fox News
Former FBI Assistant Director Chris Swecker questioned whether the 84-year-old grandmother was still alive and being held by kidnappers eight days after she was reported missing.
“I’m very skeptical of this,” he told Fox News on Sunday.
“Is this really a kidnapping? Does somebody really have her, and is she really alive?”
The former FBI official noted that Nancy’s disappearance has not followed the typical pattern of a kidnapping-for-ransom plot.
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What we know about Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance…
Today host Savannah Guthrie’s mom has been missing for a week after being abducted from her home in Tucson
Blood drops were seen on the home’s front step
Nancy’s son-in-law was the last person to see her
Local and federal authorities have no suspects, and no leads
Multiple news outlets have been sent ransom letters that contain specific details about Nancy’s home and clothing
The first ransom deadline passed five days after the abduction, and a second deadline on is said to contain “much more serious” conditions
911 reports were made of a suspected trespasser lurking in a neighbor’s yard weeks before the abduction
Cops seize car from Nancy’s home and remove roof camera
“If this was a kidnapping, it would be a very simple matter to authenticate and provide proof of life,” Swecker said, adding that no evidence has been “credibly authenticated at this point.”
“You have to allow for the possibility that this was something more or something other than a kidnapping,” he said.
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Swecker added that he was concerned the Guthrie family was being taken advantage of.
“I really think there’s a third party here that’s just playing with them, opportunists who think they can exploit this situation,” he said.
Several news stations received alleged ransom notes in the days after Nancy was reported missing demanding millions in Bitcoin.
The first ransom deadline passed on Thursday, and a second deadline is set for Monday at 5 pm MST.
“Remember now, it was 1 million not too long ago. All of a sudden, it’s 6 million,” Swecker said.
FAMILY’ PLEA
Swecker’s assessment came as the Guthrie siblings appealed directly to their mother’s alleged kidnapper.
“We received your message, and we understand,” Savannah said in a video posted to Instagram on Saturday.
“We beg you now to return our mother to us so that we can celebrate with her.
“This is the only way we will have peace. This is very valuable to us, and we will pay.”
It’s unclear which ransom note the Guthries responded to.
One ransom note sent to CNN affiliate KGUN in Arizona included a threat to Nancy’s life if the demand is not met, the outlet reported.
Saturday’s video is the third plea the Guthries have made to the purported abductors.
The family has already been targeted by a ransom hoax.
On Thursday, Derrick Callella from California was arrested and charged for sending fake text messages demanding Bitcoin payments.
Authorities have not shared if they have verified the authenticity of the ransom notes sent to the family.
SEARCH CONTINUES
Law enforcement officials were seen leaving Annie Guthrie’s property on Saturday night with a bag.
Investigators returned to Nancy’s property the following morning to search the water septic tanks.
There are currently no suspects in the case as it drags into the ninth day.
Nancy was reported missing on Sunday by her family.
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She was last seen by her son-in-law, Tommaso Cioni, after enjoying a family dinner with him and her daughter, Annie on Saturday.
Law enforcement believes that the 84-year-old grandmother was snatched from her bed that night.
Timeline of Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance
Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of Today show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, disappeared from her home on February 1, 2026.
Timeline:
January 31, 5:32 pm: Nancy Guthrie jumps in an Uber and travels to a relative’s house for dinner.
January 31, 9:48 pm: Family members drop off Nancy, 84, at her home in Tucson, Arizona, after having dinner with her.
January 31, 9:50 pm: Nancy’s garage door closes.
February 1, 1:47 am: Nancy’s doorbell camera disconnects.
February 1, 2:12 am: Software detects person on camera (No video available, no subscription).
February 1, 2:28 am: Nancy’s pacemaker app shows disconnect from her phone.
February 1, 11:00 am: A parishioner at Nancy’s church calls the mom’s children and says she failed to show up for service.
February 1, 11:56 am: The family goes to Nancy’s home to check on her.
February 1, 12:03 pm: A 911 to the Pima County Sheriff’s Department is placed by the family.
February 1, 12:15 pm: Pima County deputies arrive at Nancy’s residence.
February 1, 8:55 pm: The Pima County Sheriff’s Office gives their first press conference, and reveals some clues found at Nancy’s home caused “grave concern.” They say helicopters, drones, and infrared cameras are all being utilized in the search.
February 2, 9:17 am: Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos says search crews have been pulled back, as Nancy’s home is considered a crime scene.
February 2, morning: Savannah releases a statement that’s read by her co-hosts on Today, and thanks supporters for their prayers.
February 2, evening: Nanos tells the media they fear Nancy has been abducted.
February 3: Nanos admits they have no suspects, no leads, and no videos that could lead to Nancy’s recovery. He and the FBI beg for more tips and accounts from residents.
February 3: A trail of blood is pictured outside Nancy’s home, where there were reportedly signs of forced entry.
February 6: Police seize car from Nancy’s home
February 7: Savannah says ‘we will pay’ ransom for her mom’s return
Investigators returned to Nancy’s property on Sunday and searched the septic tank behind her houseCredit: Getty
Law enforcement has no suspects in the caseCredit: AP
