Savannah Guthrie’s mom, Nancy Guthrie, was likely “stalked for some time” before her kidnapping, a former CIA member and FBI special agent believes.
As the desperate search for Nancy Guthrie continues into day 5, expert Tracy Walder tells Page Six that clues suggest she may have been stalked prior to the kidnapping.
During Thursday’s press conference, authorities confirmed no DNA indicating a suspect was found in the Arizona home, as Walder believes the perpetrator was extremely prepared.
“This is a person who is clearly suited up and gloved up, right? Even though they may have surprised [Nancy] in her sleep, I find it very hard to believe that she wouldn’t have fought back a little bit in some way,” she tells us.
“I understand that she’s 84 and not of the best health, but human nature is to respond, which means DNA
could have gone places,” she continues.
Former CIA member and FBI special agent Tracy Walder tells Page Six that Nancy Guthrie’s kidnapping was “highly targeted.”savannahguthrie/Instagram
Walder notes that there was no DNA found in Nancy’s Arizona home indicating any suspects, as the perpetrator could’ve been prepared.Rebecca Noble for the NY Post
During Thursday’s press conference, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos revealed Nancy’s doorbell camera disconnected around 1:47 a.m. on Sunday.
Walder out points that based on the timeline, the perpetrator was there for around 45 minutes and seemed to know where the security cameras were to remove them.
“Now, that doesn’t always mean it’s a family member,” Walder clarifies. “That could mean it’s a stalker.”
Walder shares that she was easily able to find Nancy’s personal information like her home address, email address and her phone number online, which is a “problem” because of Savannah’s high-profile career.
“I also think because of the fact [Nancy’s] home is set so far back, if this is just some random person, I think they probably stalked her for some time and got a pattern life … Her comings and goings and those kinds of things.”
Walder also points out that the kidnapper appeared to know where the security cameras were to remove them.savannahguthrie/Instagram
Walder also speculated that the kidnapper could possibly be obsessed with Savannah or upset with the “Today” host over a story she covered.Nathan Congleton/NBC via Getty Images
“There’s no way this is a robbery gone wrong,” she adds. “You’re not going to bring the person with you. There’s no way this is random.
“If this is something that was planned, which I do think it was … maybe this person knew about the condition she has, and maybe this person knew to have medication for her in it.”
Walder tells us that because of the level of effort and preparation the kidnapping took, she’s not convinced the motive is purely financial.
“I just in my gut, feel like this is someone that either had some kind of obsession with Savannah because of how high-profile she is, and this was a way to potentially get to her,” she says. “Or this is a person that has some kind of beef with Savannah because of whatever story she covered, whoever she interviewed, any of those.
“I am not convinced it’s fully about money. I’m not completely convinced this is solely about the ransom.”
Nancy, 84, has been missing since Sunday.Facebook/Nancy Guthrie
During a press conference Thursday, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said “everybody’s still a suspect” in law enforcement’s eyes.REUTERS
Nancy was reported missing on Sunday after she failed to show up to church.
In Thursday’s press conference, Nanos said authorities are “actively looking at everyone” as a suspect in Nancy’s kidnapping.
Nanos added that Nancy’s family has “been very cooperative” and “done everything” asked of them.
The Sheriff previously said that he and investigators believe Nancy was abducted in her sleep and “harmed” in the process.
A trail of blood was seen just outside her front door, which Nanos confirmed on Thursday belongs to Nancy.
Authorities are currently investigating a ransom note.James S. Wood for NY Post
There is a $50,000 reward for information.Pima County Sheriff’s Department
Also during the press conference, FBI Phoenix’s special agent Heith Janke shared that a ransom note they are investigating set a deadline for 5 p.m. MT.
“And if a transfer wasn’t made, the second demand was for next Monday,” he said. “I’m not going to go beyond that.”
Earlier in the press conference, the officer noted the ransom note mentioned “an Apple Watch” and a “flood light.”
A $50,000 reward has been offered for information on Nancy’s disappearance.
On Wednesday night, Savannah, alongside her siblings, Annie and Camron, emotionally begged for the safe return of their mom via an Instagram video.
