Guthrie family’s latest plea likely vetted by FBI: Former agent
The latest video from Savannah Guthrie directed at people who may have taken her 84-year-old mother suggests the family is being coached by FBI specialists, a former agent says.
Guthrie, a “Today” show co-anchor, posted a brief statement on Instagram Saturday saying the family has “received your message … and we will pay.”
The language she used indicates the Guthrie family is being advised by the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit, says Jennifer Coffindaffer, a NewsNation law and justice contributor who served as an FBI special agent.
“This is very directed,” she told “NewsNation Prime” on Saturday. “What they’re trying to make happen is, hopefully, contact and hopefully a way to open up communication and, if payment can be made, hopefully to track that.”
Nancy Guthrie was last seen Jan. 31 at her home near Tucson, Arizona. At least two messages have been sent to two media outlets by potential abductors, including one that could be considered a ransom demand, according to published reports.
It wasn’t clear from Saturday’s video posted by Savannah Guthrie whether the family had received additional contact from people purporting to be holding Nancy Guthrie.
Coffindaffer says the vagueness of the known messages suggests the sender is more interested in tormenting the family, rather than collecting a ransom.
“The kidnapper typically truly cares about the money, so they make contact early, before law enforcement is involved. They don’t ever involve the media,” she said.
Guthrie family may have gotten ‘proof of life’: Mark Geragos
In a previous message the family posted online, Savannah Guthrie requested “proof of life,” or an indication that Nancy Guthrie is still alive. Saturday’s Instagram post did not include that request.
“The reason I think they made this next step is they do have proof of life,” criminal defense attorney Mark Geragos said. “I hope I’m right because there were quite a few people speculating (about) a lot more negative outcomes.”
Nancy Guthrie Kidnapping Case Update: Family Pleads for Her Return, Her Birthday Celebration and Net Worth Revealed
Nancy Guthrie’s family pleads for her safe return as details of her birthday and net worth draw public attention amid her kidnapping
Nancy Guthrie’s birthday became a trending topic on social media on Saturday, February 7, after her daughter, Savannah Guthrie, shared a new Instagram video. The wording in the video sparked curiosity among followers
In the clip, Savannah held hands with her siblings, Annie and Camron, while speaking to the audience, “We received your message,” Savannah said. “And we understand. We beg you now, to return our mother to us, so that we can celebrate with her. This is the only way we will have peace. This is very valuable to us and we will pay.”
The abduction of Nancy Guthrie has raised questions about the motive. Pima County police have not identified a suspect, although unverified claims have linked Nancy’s son-in-law, Tommaso Cioni, to the case.
Nancy Guthrie Birthday Sparks Speculation
The family wanted to celebrate with Nancy Guthrie, leading them to look up her birthday. According to Tucson.com, Nancy turned 84 on January 27, just four days before her disappearance.
The timing of the kidnapping has led to speculation about why anyone would target an elderly woman. Some believe her wealth and property could be connected to the incident.
Nancy Guthrie’s Early Life and Career
Nancy Guthrie moved from Australia to Arizona after her husband, Charles, a mining engineer, died of a heart attack in 1988. He left behind to raise three children Annie, Savannah, and Camron. Nancy worked as a clerk in the public affairs department at the University of Arizona. She never remarried.
Her wealth comes partly from her husband’s inheritance and partly from her own savings. Savannah Guthrie noted that Nancy’s position at the University also allowed her to study there at discounted tuition fees.
Nancy Guthrie Net Worth
Nancy Guthrie owns a home in Catalina, Arizona, just north of Tucson. The property was purchased in 1985 while her husband was alive, and ownership has remained unchanged since then. Zillow estimates the home’s current market value at around $1.1 million. Her eldest daughter, Annie Guthrie, and son-in-law, Tommaso Cioni, live nearby in a house valued at $650,000, only 10 minutes away.
Nancy Guthrie Disappearance Timeline
Nancy Guthrie has been missing since February 1. Authorities report that she had dinner at Annie Guthrie’s home, located about four miles from her own. Nancy took an Uber to the dinner and was driven home later that night by Tommaso Cioni.
The kidnapping continues to raise questions about Nancy Guthrie’s wealth, the motive behind the abduction, and the involvement of family members.
Why was Nancy Guthrie abducted? Ex-NYPD Sergeant sheds light on possible motives, ‘A revenge factor, a cover-up factor…’
Retired NYPD Sergeant Joe Giacalone has shed some light on motives in missing persons cases amid the search for Nancy Guthrie.
Talking about ransom notes, Giacalone told Parade, “Investigators are going to take these serious no matter what. And they have the capability of being able to investigate this as a potential, viable situation, or they can also rule it out as a potential hoax. We’ve already got one person found out and arrested.”
Giacalone was referring to the arrest of Derrick Callella, who admitted to sending a phony ransom request to Nancy’s family.
Read More | Floodlight outside Nancy Guthrie’s home removed? Mystery deepens as new details emerge
Giacalone also revealed what the motive can be if it isn’t money.
“The three biggest ones that we know is love, money, and drugs, right?” Giacalone said. “Those are the three biggest motives that people do this stuff. But in a situation like this, you also have to consider a revenge factor, a cover-up factor, meaning that the person found out something within the family and now they’re trying to keep it under wraps, that kind of thing.
“The investigators gather and they sit there and they huddle up, so to speak, and they try to create their hypothesis. And listen, most people are victimized by someone they know, and that’s always the starting point. And then you let the evidence in the information direct you into which one of those categories it’s going to be,” he added.
Guthrie family agrees to pay ransom
Savannah released a new video message on Instagram Saturday evening, February 6, saying they have agreed to pay ransom for Nancy’s release. She was joined by her siblings Camron and Annie in the video.
“We received your message and we understand,” Savannah said in the video. “We beg you now to return our mother to us, so that we can celebrate with her. This is the only way that we can have peace. This is very valuable to us and we will pay.”
Authorities have said that no suspects have been identified yet. The Pima County Sheriff’s Office stated on Saturday, February 7, that they have “not identified any suspects, persons of interest, or vehicles connected to this case.”
