Nancy Guthrie, the mother of “Today” co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, disappeared from her Tucson home on February 1, and the FBI has treated the case as a kidnapping while they follow leads that now include a person of interest, aka a potential suspect. Now, as the search for Guthrie continues, a former top FBI official has questioned whether investigators really have proof that this is a kidnapping with a living victim.
Ex-FBI official questions if Nancy Guthrie case is ‘something other than kidnapping’
While FBI officials chase tips, review reported ransom messages, detain a potential suspect or a person of interest, and conduct a home search in Rio Rico, the alleged kidnapping of Nancy Guthrie is raising suspicion. Among those who question is a former FBI Assistant Director, Chris Swecker.
During an appearance on Fox News’ “The Big Weekend Show,” the former FBI official voiced his doubts, stating, “I’m very skeptical of this,” and questioning, “Is this really a kidnapping? Does somebody really have her, and is she really alive?”
Swecker pointed to what he called a key missing piece, a verified proof of life. He suggested, “If this was a kidnapping, it would be a very simple matter to authenticate and provide proof of life,” adding that such proof has not been “credibly authenticated at this point.”
Additionally, Fox News reported that a ransom note sent to local station KGUN9 demanded $6 million from the Guthrie family, with a threat with a deadline. Swecker said that the jump in the reported ransom amount only deepened his concern. He said, “Remember now, it was one million not too long ago. All of a sudden, it’s six million,” adding, “I really think there’s a third party here that’s just playing with them, opportunists who think they can exploit this situation.”
Swecker stressed, “You have to allow for the possibility that this was something more or something other than a kidnapping.” As of the latest update in Guthrie’s alleged kidnapping case, the FBI authorities still have not publicly confirmed her whereabouts. Notably, though, investigators continue to review evidence, including recovered surveillance video and the reported ransom communications.
