Expert: Ransom Deadlines Mean Control, Not Cash

Security expert Dan Donovan has offered insights into the ongoing search for Savannah Guthrie's mother, Nancy, emphasizing that ransom note deadlines often represent a strategy for control rather than a strict cutoff.

Reports indicate that Nancy Guthrie, 84, was last seen on January 31 and later reported missing from her Arizona home after failing to appear at church. A ransom note allegedly demanding $6 million in bitcoin was reportedly sent to multiple news outlets. Savannah Guthrie and her siblings appeared in a video pleading for their mother's safe return, stating their willingness to pay.

Donovan highlighted the critical absence of confirmed proof of life as a significant concern. He explained that without such verification, negotiations are clouded by uncertainty. The FBI previously noted that the ransom note included two deadlines, with the latest passing on Monday at 5 p.m. Donovan advised that the priority in such critical hours is to maintain communication control and push for verification.

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos confirmed that unusual circumstances at Nancy's home led authorities to treat the scene as a crime scene, indicating the potential danger she faces. However, no persons of interest have been identified or apprehended, and no new briefings are scheduled as the investigation proceeds.