Nancy Guthrie has been missing for six weeks and sadly the investigation surrounding her disappearance is no closer to producing an official suspect. However, local authorities now say they may have a motive.
The sheriff leading Guthrie’s case recently shared that he and other members of the sheriff’s department believe they know why the 84-year-old was kidnapped on February 1.
Sheriff Leading Nancy Guthrie Investigation Says Authorities ‘Know Why’ She Was Abducted
Sheriff Chris Nanos of the Pima County Sheriff’s Department recently shared in an interview with NBC News, that he and other members of the sheriff’s department believe they “know why” Guthrie was kidnapped from her home.
“We believe we know why [the kidnapper] did this and we believe that it was targeted, but we’re not 100% sure of that,” Nanos said on Thursday, March 12. “So it’d be silly to tell people, ‘Don’t worry about it. You’re not his target.’ You could be. Don’t think for a minute that because it happened to the Guthrie family, you’re safe. No. Keep your wits about you.”
Speaking about the details of a possible motive, Sheriff Nanos stopped short of sharing them publicly.
“I think it’s come out from day one,” he told NBC News. “I think day one, we had some strong beliefs about what happened and those beliefs haven’t diminished. I’m not going to get into those theories. We have our beliefs. Everybody else has theirs.”
Former FBI Agent Believes Kidnapper In The Case Could ‘Strike Again’
Per the New York Post, former FBI agent Jennifer Coffindaffer shared her belief that Guthrie’s kidnapper could “strike again” before he is ultimately captured by authorities.
“There is a kidnapper (at least 1) and a potential murderer (maybe more) on the streets,” Coffindaffer said. “Yes, this seems to be a very targeted abduction (like the Idaho murders), but you still have an individual(s) capable of extreme violence on the loose.”
Coffindaffer noted that the grim nature of her opinion may cause panic, but pointed out that the community at large should be aware of potential danger.
“Finding Nancy alive was objective 1. Objective 2 was getting an abductor (and likely murderer) off the streets,” she said. “Will this person(s) strike again? This is a big issue.”
Crime Expert Suspects Nancy Guthrie Was ‘Wrapped Up’ During Kidnapping
Per Parade, former FBI agent Maureen O’Connell said during a recent appearance on the “Brian Entin Investigates” podcast, she believes Guthrie was “wrapped up in something” and carted away.
“I doubt that she walked out because there were no voids,” she said. “So, let’s say the pattern of the blood is concentrated here, but the sphere is this big, it’s round, you would have a void here from one foot or from another foot or from something. There don’t appear to be any voids.”
“So for me, it was in my mind she’s wrapped up in something, and they’re carrying her out,” O’Connell added.
Savannah Guthrie Recently Visited The ‘Today’ Show For The First Time Since Her Mother Disappeared
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Savannah Guthrie’s March 5 visit to the “Today” show set was filled with emotion, as the co-anchor saw the show’s staff for the first time since her mother’s disappearance.
During the unplanned visit with the show’s staff, Savannah reportedly thanked them for “caring about my mom as much as I do,” among other kind words.
“I wanted you to know that I’m still standing, and I still have hope and I’m still me. I don’t know what version of me that will be, but it will be,” she continued.
Savannah also used the impromptu meeting to confirm that she will indeed return to the show, as the investigation into her mother’s disappearance continues.
“I have every intention of coming back. I don’t know how to come back, but I don’t know how not to. You’re my family and I would like to try,” she said, per the outlet.
Although She Visited The Set, Savannah Guthrie’s Return Date To ‘Today’ Has Not Been Confirmed
Per PEOPLE, during Savannah’s March 5 visit she reportedly “stopped by the studio to be with and thank her ‘Today’ colleagues,” a show spokesperson said via statement, according to the outlet.
Although her visit to the show does not mean that a return date for Savannah has been set, she will reportedly be back on-air at some point.
“While she plans to return to the show on air, she remains focused right now supporting her family and working to help bring Nancy home,” the statement continued.