A brief synopsis: Cameras around Nancy’s home were smashed. Daughter Annie’s vehicle has been seized as evidence. Annie’s boyfriend, Tommaso Cioni is being discussed as a suspect. The back door had been left open. Annie and Tommaso were the last to see Nancy prior to her being reported missing.
I am working this morning but trying to stay updated with the latest.
2/4 – Not a popular opinion. I still think the ransom notes are BS. I think someone close to Nancy, in some way, had something to gain from her death. They then sent the notes to distract, to remove attention from themselves. Or maybe still for monetary gain.
Kidnapping for ransom is just too unusual. Too rare. Nothing to be gained. Bitcoin transactions can be traced.
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Update: Two ransom notes were sent. KOLD News 13, the CBS affiliate in Tucson received a ransom note on Monday. TMZ reported receiving a note on Tuesday.
This tells us that the alleged kidnapper wanted the attention or suspected the first note was not received. They wanted the note to be public therefore a second note went to TMZ.
Was the ‘note’ sent electronically or by mail. We will assume it was electronically. That information will be analyzed.
Something to consider, it may be a real kidnapper or it could be a cover up for a different motive. A kidnapping for ransom is extremely rare. I am told it happened in TX with a news anchor and will search for tha story. Therefore it is not impossible.
Why Nancy Guthrie? Savannah’s net worth is about $30 million. She earns approximately $8 a year for her anchor position. It is unknown how much the ransom note has asked for. A smart kidnapper would ask for an amount they expect the family could come up with. Most net worth is tied up in assets and not readily available.
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Update: A ransom note was sent into a local Tucson affiliate station. The note did provide detail about Nancy’s home, the clothing she wore, the state of the home at the time, etc. Investigators are taking the note seriously, however, these types of scams are common, again, in high profile cases. The kidnappers would need to provide proof of life and more details to prove validity. Even so, it is very unlikely that a ransom for millions in Bitcoins would be paid. These days, Bitcoin transactions can usually be traced. Investigators do not typically pay ransoms.
TMZ overstepped and released the ransom lead against investigators wishes.
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Keep in mind – fake ransoms are often called in on cases that are high profile. While it is possible that it is a true ransom demand, it is highly unlikely. I can tell you one thing, NO ransom will be paid. Not for millions.
Missing – Nancy Guthrie – Case Updates
I still believe this is a solvable case and it will be within Nancy’s inner to intermediate circle. Someone who knew her well. I still do not believe this is a stranger.
My take on press conference, which is only my opinion: No family member statements. No urgency in locating Nancy. No reward mentioned. No POI or POI vehicle. No known motive.
Press conferences are often geared for the suspect. This is a direct msg to the person responsible.
There is no urgency and no reward. No family begging for the return of their loved one. Either they know she has been murdered and the family can’t stand there and pretend to ask for her return or they don’t want to placate a suspect by giving them what they want, a grieving Savannah Guthrie. No reward – potentially because there is a ransom or because she is no longer alive and they cannot give up their hand.
Ultimately they do not want the suspect to destroy evidence. I don’t think it’s a ransom situation but they are close to the border and ransoms are common for cartels.
Removing the cameras and disabling the alarm system is premeditated. Almost sounds like a pro. Yet is usually someone known to the victim.
Update: What seems relevant from press conference. Sheriff Nanos takes questions.
Not random, no danger to public. Doesn’t want to narrow timeline. No suspect DNA return as of yet, many samples submitted. Camera missing, unsure if suspect took it. Camera data being analyzed. Investigation at home is complete. No tire tracks, no footprints. No prior incidents at home and no prior reason for concern. Won’t comfirm blood evidence.
Evident they do not yet have video. No confirmation death has occurred although no urgency stated.
That’s it. Next conference on Thursday unless something breaks.
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Pima County to hold press conference at 1:30PM ET.
Who is the person most likely to benefit from Nancy’s death?
Although Nancy has allegedly sold items from her home to strangers, this doesn’t appear to be a stranger abduction/homicide.
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Update: Nancy’s pacemaker stopped syncing with her Apple watch around 2am Sunday morning. Being someone that has an implanted device, you can see logs of when a heartbeat speeds up, slows down, has an abnormal rhythm or stops. It appears that the watch remained on but the device stopped syncing. Adding: There are other reasons a device might stop syncing. The watch could have been removed and discarded. Either way, the device can still be read by the device’s manufacturer.
A press conference will take place, likely announcing that this is now a homicide case.
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Added note but not an update: It is possible that blood evidence found at the scene indictated that Nancy lost enough blood to indicate an unsurvivable injury.
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Update: The suspect somehow disabled the alarm system. This took place at 12:50am. This indicates premeditation. This was someone who knew the home, at least well enough to know the alarm system would be turned on. They knew how to disable the alarm system by either cutting wires or entering the correct code.
Questions: Was something missing from the home…jewelry, medication, saved cash, other valuables? A kidnapping for ransom would be unusual and it doesn’t appear that a ransom note was found. It appears that evidence was found that points to injury/homicide.
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Update: This is no longer a search but is now a crime scene. There was forced entry believed to take place between 1-4am. DNA was recovered from the scene and fast-tracked for analysis. While not confirmed, it appears her walking aid was still in the home. Her purse, vehicle and phone were at the home.
DNA could be touch DNA, blood, bodily fluids, saliva, etc. It is still unknown if she wore her Apple Watch. Unknown if her pacemaker had location services.
This will likely lead to a search if remote areas near the home but nothing announced yet
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Was Savannah Guthrie’s Mother targeted or was this a random crime? Savannah did feature her Mother on the Today Show. In one video, located in the comments, they did disclose that her Mother lived in Tucson. Video in comments.
Most homicides are committed by someone known to the victim. Although homicide detectives are working on this case, we do not yet know that we are looking at a homicide but they likely have evidence to believe that it was. It is being labeled as a crime scene.
Due to the notoriety of Nancy’s daughter, Savannah, it increases the likelihood that a stranger or strangers are responsible for Nancy’s disappearance. However, stanger abductions/homicides are very rare. You would need to ask ‘why?’ Why would a stranger harm Nancy?
It is not a robbery as valuables were left behind. It is unknown if medication was missing. Someone of Nancy’s age, 84, and health conditions, may rely on Fentanyl or other controlled substances. It’s not a sexual assault as the victim would have been found in the residence. She did not wander off as she was unable to walk more than a few steps.
It is either a personal vendetta, someone angry with Nancy, or someone obsessed or angry with Savannah or another family member. Unlikely to be a hostage situation. 75 miles from the border but, again, valuables were not taken.
All things in this case point to investigators knowing a homicide occurred and now they are attempting to locate a suspect and recover the victim.
It is believed that Nancy was taken during the night. The front door was left open. She did not take her medication, phone, purse or other belongings. Items around the home suggest she was forcibly removed from the home.
There were cameras located around the property and we do not know what was observed or if the cameras were disabled.
By now, investigators are narrowing down a suspect vehicle based on surveillance footage from Nancy’s property, neighbor’s homes and all points in and out of the area. They will triangulate cell phones and pinpoint any devices that pinged near Nancy’s home at the time of her disappearance. She wore an Apple Watch but it is unknown if she wore it when she was taken. If so, this data will provide location tracking and vitals about her heart rate, etc.
This will be a solvable crime.
Nancy lived in the Catalina Foothills community in unincorporated Pima County on the outskirts of Tucson. She lived alone. She is 84 years old.
This post will be updated as more information is known. In the meantime, we can only pray that Nancy is found safe.
