A forensic expert has made a harrowing claim about the kidnapper of Savannah Guthrie's mom.
Nancy Guthrie, 84, was abducted from her Tucson, Arizona, home in the early hours of Sunday, February 1.
Now, as the timeline of events grows more detailed, so does the possibility that multiple offenders were involved.
Forensics Expert Speaks Out
Mary Ellen O'Toole, a retired FBI agent and profiler, shared her professional insight into the ongoing investigation, pointing to a chilling conclusion.
The evidence - which includes forced entry, a missing security camera, a trail of blood, and the potential need to physically move and restrain an elderly woman - strongly suggests the involvement of more than one abductor.
"I've worked kidnapping cases that have involved one person. But if they're strictly a kidnapping, meaning the offender offenders are doing it for ransom money, then it's been multiple people," she explained.
"The reason that I say that is because when you do go into somebody's home, with the purpose of kidnapping them... You have to be prepared to physically move them. You have to be prepared to restrain them. You have to be prepared to drive away from the location, and it's hard for one person to do all of that," she added.
The expert further explained the logistical challenges of keeping a victim for an extended period, noting that holding someone "for hours or even days" would eventually require one of the offenders to take a break for basic needs, such as using the bathroom or needing to eat.
"They have to take care of themselves. It's nearly impossible for one person to do it. So when we're talking about the likelihood 2 people, I think that that's very reasonable to consider that," she concluded.
The 2:12AM Timestamp That May Hold the Key
Authorities say the abduction timeline begins Saturday evening (January 31), when Nancy had dinner with family.
She was dropped off at home around 9:48PM. Her garage door was seen closing minutes later, and it’s believed she went to bed shortly after.
At 1:47AM, her doorbell camera disconnected. Then, at 2:12AM, now seen as a crucial moment, movement was detected by camera software, though no video was saved due to a lack of cloud storage.
By 2:28AM, her pacemaker disconnected from its app, suggesting a disruption in proximity to her phone or a medical emergency. That same morning, a small trail of blood was found leading from her driveway to the front door.
Sheriff Chris Nanos confirmed the blood belonged to Nancy and that there were signs of forced entry. A front-facing security camera had also been removed.
Despite the disturbing evidence, there are currently no named suspects. “We’re just not there yet,” Nanos said at a recent press conference.
FBI Investigating Ransom Demands - And Impostors
Investigators have received several ransom notes, including one sent to TMZ demanding millions in Bitcoin and another sent to CBS affiliate KOLD containing specific details “only the abductor would know,” according to anchor Mary Coleman.
FBI Special Agent Heith Janke confirmed the FBI is “taking [the notes] seriously,” citing credible references such as an Apple Watch and a floodlight.
But agents are also dealing with impostors trying to exploit the case. One person has already been arrested for sending a fraudulent ransom note.
“We will investigate and ensure you are held accountable,” Janke warned.
Savannah, joined by her siblings Annie and Camron, released a tearful video message on Wednesday night.
“We want to hear from you, and we are ready to listen,” Savannah said. “However, 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.”
She also underscored the urgency of her mother’s medical condition. “She is without any medicine. She needs it to survive. She needs it not to suffer.”
Nancy’s son Camron echoed the appeal on Thursday, saying: “We need a way to communicate with you so we can move forward.”
President Donald Trump has also announced he had spoken with the news anchor and directed federal law enforcement to assist “IMMEDIATELY,” adding: “The prayers of our Nation are with her and her family.”
Community members gathered at Saint Philip’s in the Hills Episcopal Church for a candlelight vigil, praying for Nancy’s safe return.