What are the potential motives behind Nancy Guthrie's abduction?

Investigators are considering both financial motives, indicated by a ransom note demanding cryptocurrency, and non-financial motives such as obsession with or resentment towards Savannah Guthrie's public profile.

What details did the ransom note for Nancy Guthrie contain?

The ransom note reportedly mentioned specific items linked to Nancy, including an Apple Watch, and suggested a limited geographic area around Tucson, Arizona. It also included two deadlines and a valid bitcoin address.

What is the significance of the security footage gap in Nancy Guthrie's abduction?

A 20-minute gap in surveillance footage, where Nancy's doorbell camera went offline before motion was still detected, has led investigators to suspect the abduction was pre-planned and not random.

Home / Crime and Justice / Ex-FBI Agent: Obsession May Drive Guthrie's Mom's Abduction

Ex-FBI Agent: Obsession May Drive Guthrie's Mom's Abduction

7 Feb

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Summary

Abduction motive debated: ransom vs. obsession with Savannah.
Ransom note mentions specific items and a limited geographic area.
A 20-minute gap in security footage raises pre-planned suspicions.

Ex-FBI Agent: Obsession May Drive Guthrie's Mom's Abduction

Federal officials have escalated their involvement in the abduction of Nancy Guthrie, mother of "Today" show anchor Savannah Guthrie. While an alleged ransom note demanding millions in cryptocurrency has surfaced, former CIA and FBI agent Tracy Walder suggests the motive may stem from an obsession with or resentment towards Savannah's high public profile rather than pure financial gain.

Walder believes the abduction was pre-planned, noting the perpetrator's apparent familiarity with the home's security. Investigators are examining a concerning 20-minute gap in surveillance footage from Nancy's home, which went offline shortly before 2 a.m. on Sunday, February 1. Blood found outside the home indicates Nancy was harmed.

The alleged ransom note, reportedly carefully crafted, referenced specific items linked to Nancy, such as her Apple Watch, and suggested a limited geographic radius around Tucson, Arizona. The note also contained two deadlines, with a "Monday deadline" noted as more consequential, and confirmed a valid bitcoin address. Authorities are treating the case as an active abduction, pursuing all leads.