The terrifying abduction of Savannah Guthrie’s mother Nancy may have been pulled off by more than one perpetrator, a former hostage negotiator believes.
Ex-NYPD hostage negotiator Wallace Zeins told CNN that evidence from the ongoing investigation suggests that Nancy, 84, may have been snatched by a coordinated group of criminals.
‘I believe the possibility of more than one person,’ Zeins said.
‘She’s 150 pounds, 5 foot 5, waking up in the middle of the night, not in the best of health — can’t walk or run, so I would think there’s more than one person involved in this particular crime.’
The law enforcement expert said although no suspects have been identified, reported ‘ransom notes’ sent to TMZ and local Tucson outlet KOLD may be a gift to investigators by offering new clues.
While noting that authorities have not verified the legitimacy of the notes, Zeins said that if they are legitimate, they can provide forensic evidence that could lead to the culprit.
He added that the notes reportedly made demands for payment through Bitcoin, and that ‘tells you that it’s some type of group that knows what Bitcoin is all about, and social media, and they know the system.’
Zeins said if the notes were written by hand they can offer DNA evidence, whereas ‘if it was on a computer, then that helps also because the FBI is so good at what they do when it comes down to electronic surveillance and electronic stuff of that nature.’
It comes as the NBC News show Guthrie anchors, Today, led on the story of her missing mother for the third consecutive day, saying there were no updates in the investigation.
Savannah Guthrie’s mother Nancy, 84, was abducted from her home late Saturday night or early Sunday morning, police say
With the investigation ongoing, police helicopters (pictured) were seen scouring the area outside Nancy’s $1 million Arizona home on Tuesday evening
Reporters outside Nancy’s Arizona home shared images to social media showing a police helicopter scouring the desert area around her property on Tuesday night, which Zeins said is likely a law enforcement tactic known as a ‘grid search.’
The former hostage negotiator said that the helicopters appeared to be carrying out a ‘grid search’, where investigators scour an area piece by piece to ensure they haven’t missed any evidence.
‘You take it one step at a time,’ he continued.
‘We all look, and stop if we see something that shouldn’t be there, we bag it up and use it as evidence.
‘The helicopters may have been cordoning off areas from above to see possibilities, such as from the abduction, maybe they took her through the fields,’ he said.
The investigation was rocked Tuesday evening by reports that supposed ‘ransom notes’ were sent to TMZ and KOLD, which the Pima County Sheriff’s Office says it is aware of but has not verified their legitimacy.
TMZ reported that its note demanded millions in Bitcoin for the release of the 84-year-old, and concluded with a deadline for the ransom to be paid ‘or else’.
The outlet said that the note demanded the Bitcoin be sent to a specific cryptocurrency address, which it has verified as a real Bitcoin address.
TMZ also said the note included details unknown to the public including damage caused to Nancy’s home and what she was wearing at the time of her abduction.
Officials say Nancy, 84, is frail and has poor mobility, and suffers from a condition that requires her to take medication daily
Ex-NYPD hostage negotiator Wallace Zeins said evidence from the ongoing investigation suggests that Nancy, 84, may have been snatched by a coordinated group of criminals
Pictured: An aerial view of Nancy Guthrie’s house, where she was allegedly abducted from
During a press conference on Tuesday afternoon, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos twice refused to answer when asked if ransom demands had been made.
‘We are taking all tips and leads very seriously,’ Nanos said. ‘Anything that comes in, goes directly to our detectives who are coordinating with the FBI.’
Another reporter in the room picked up on Nanos’ evasiveness and questioned: ‘You were asked if there was a ransom, didn’t say no… does that mean that a ransom has come in?’
Nanos again avoided the question, saying simply: ‘We are following all leads.’
The sheriff said repeatedly that investigators do not know where Nancy is, and he was unable to offer insight into a possible suspect or suspects.
The sheriff also addressed reports that a doorbell camera had been removed from Nancy’s home, saying that it was unclear if it had been removed before Nancy’s abduction.
Nanos added that no strange cars had been seen in the area around the time of Nancy’s kidnapping and that no tire tracks were found.
Officials previously said they have no reason to believe Nancy may have been targeted because of her daughter, but have also not ruled out any inquiries.
With the investigation stretching into its fourth day, police appeared to leave Nancy’s home on Tuesday evening, allowing the media to remain at the property.
Horrifying images from her home circulated social media soon after, showing a trail of blood spattered on her walkway.
The images showed blood puddled just feet from her front door, and her Ring doorbell camera was missing.
She was last seen at the house, where she lives alone, at around 9.45pm on Saturday before she was mysteriously kidnapped.
Family members then reported her missing after she failed to appear for Sunday church services.
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