Crime Expert Shares Why Nancy Guthrie's Abductor's Move To Snatch Doorbell Camera Was A Police 'Test'

Investigators are probing the mysterious disappearance of Savannah Guthrie's mother, Nancy Guthrie, focusing on a 20-minute gap in her doorbell camera footage.

Authorities are also examining a ransom note demanding millions in cryptocurrency, described as "carefully crafted" and containing private details about Nancy's home.

With the 84-year-old's health at risk due to untreated medical needs, her daughter, Savannah Guthrie, and other family members have issued emotional pleas for her swift release.

Investigators probing the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie are examining a puzzling 20-minute gap in security footage that could shed light on her abduction.

Authorities noted that Nancy's doorbell camera disconnected at 1:47 a.m. Sunday, yet motion was recorded on the device at 2:12 a.m., raising questions about what happened in the interim.

NBC News law enforcement analyst and crime expert, Tom Winter, suggested the kidnapper might have removed the camera as a "test" to see if law enforcement would respond, waiting to determine if the coast was clear before returning to the property.

"We don't know. We don't know the specifics of what camera detected the motion either," Winter said, citing anonymous sources, per the New York Post.

Technology has become a central focus of the investigation, including the analysis of a purported ransom note sent to three news outlets.

While the note referenced a floodlight and an Apple Watch, Winter cautioned that such details alone don't confirm authenticity, as many homes have floodlights, and Nancy had been seen wearing her Apple Watch publicly.

The ransom note, reportedly demanding millions in cryptocurrency for Nancy's return, has escalated the urgency of the search.

Sources who have seen the letters describe them as "carefully crafted" and containing details not previously released to the public, suggesting the note is credible.

It reportedly included two deadlines: the first on Thursday, which has passed, and a second on Monday, February 9, with unspecified consequences if the demands weren't met.

TMZ founder Harry Levin, who reviewed one of the three identical letters, noted that "the Monday deadline is far more consequential" and confirmed that the bitcoin address listed in the note was legitimate.

Law enforcement sources told The LA Times that the note referenced at least two private details about Nancy's home, including her Apple Watch and a floodlight, adding credibility to the letter.

The note reportedly begins by stating that Nancy is safe but "scared" and emphasizes the need for anonymous communication.

Authorities and the family are especially concerned for Nancy's health.

At 84, she has multiple physical ailments and requires daily medication that she currently appears to be without.

"I'm fearful of that, I think we all are," said Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos during a Thursday press conference.

He added, "This is Day 4 or 5, and still we don't know that she's getting her medication, and that could in itself be fatal."

Federal authorities have also stepped up efforts in the search, offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to Nancy's safe return or the arrest and conviction of those responsible.

FBI Special Agent in Charge Heith Janke said, "The FBI has agents, analysts, and professional staff employees working day and night with our partners at the sheriff's department. We have deployed additional intelligence and agents from our Phoenix office."

At the same briefing, Sheriff Nanos clarified that no suspects have yet been identified.

"At this time, we have not identified a suspect or a person of interest in this case," he said. "To be clear, we have nobody of interest or any suspects that you would consider a prime suspect."

Meanwhile, family members have issued emotional pleas for her safe return. Savannah and her siblings shared a video urging the suspected captors to make contact, noting that Nancy is in constant pain and without essential medication.

"We live in a world where voices and images are easily manipulated. We need to know, without a doubt, that she is alive and that you have her," Savannah said in the video shared on Instagram. "We want to hear from you, and we are ready to listen. Please reach out to us."

Nancy's son, Camron Guthrie, also recorded a message on Thursday, urging communication.

"Whoever is out there holding our mother, we want to hear from you," he said. "We need you to reach out, and we need a way to communicate with you so we can move forward."