Nancy Guthrie update: FBI profilers theory about who really kidnapped her may surprise you

FBI profilers suggest Nancy Guthrie's abduction may relate to her daughter Savannah, indicating a stalking scenario.

Published on: May 2, 2026, 22:04:04 IST

By Shweta Kukreti

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

Three months following the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie from her residence in Tucson, Arizona, two of the FBI's most seasoned criminal profilers have provided their insights on the case — and their hypothesis regarding the people responsible for the abduction of the 84-year-old mother of Today anchor Savannah Guthrie is quite stunning.

Retired FBI profilers claim Nancy Guthrie's kidnapping may relate to her daughter Savannah, proposing a stalking motive. (X/@CoffindafferFBI)

'Stalking-type scenario'

Retired FBI Supervisory Special Agent Jim Clemente, who was previously part of the Bureau's Behavioral Analysis Unit, along with fellow retired profiler Jim Fitzgerald, both contend that the kidnapping is linked to Savannah and that the primary target may not have been Nancy at all.

Also Read: Nancy Guthrie ‘denied’ loan to Annie, Tommaso Cioni before disappearance: Chilling claim surfaces amid probe

“This has something to do with Savannah on a stalking-type scenario,” Fitzgerald stated to NewsNation.

He stated that investigators must scrutinize all forms of correspondence that Savannah Guthrie has received in the last five years, which encompasses social media messages and emails sent following Nancy Guthrie's appearance on the Today show.

The hypothesis is that an individual who was unable to reach the television personality directly redirected their focus towards her mother instead.

Nancy Guthrie case: Are ransom demands not genuine?

Fitzgerald also challenged the importance of the ransom demands that were sent following Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance, expressing his belief that they were not genuine. Instead of suggesting a kidnapping motivated by financial reasons, Fitzgerald described the demands as opportunistic — a secondary aspect of what he perceives to be a crime driven by psychological factors.

“The crime appeared driven by psychological need rather than financial gain,” he stated.

Current status of Nancy Guthrie probe

The case of Guthrie's disappearance is still unresolved. Investigators continue to sift through over 30,000 tips, and a source familiar with the investigation informed NewsNation that progress has slowed, with limited actionable leads. Nancy Guthrie was last observed at her residence in the Catalina Foothills area of Tucson on February 1. Authorities suspect she was abducted, as blood droplets were discovered on her front porch, and surveillance footage captured a masked figure near her door on the night of her disappearance.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Shweta Kukreti
Shweta Kukreti has over 8 years of experience in covering Indian and world politics. She joined the Hindustan Times in 2024 and is primarily assigned to the US desk. She currently works as Deputy Chief Content Producer and reports on a wide range of topics, including US politics, immigration issues (especially H-1B visa) and major global events. Shweta strongly emphasizes team operations, which encompasses monitoring news, delegating tasks, editing, developing comprehensive coverage strategies, and crafting engaging, and data-informed narratives. She received the Digi Star Award at the Hindustan Times within a year of joining for her broad coverage of US politics. In 2025, she earned both a promotion and a redesignation, a significant achievement recognising her contributions and the strong value she brings to the team. She has previously worked with the Indian Express, HTDS, ANI and Republic World. Seniors in all the media organisations recognised her work. Regarding education, she earned a BA (Hons.) in Political Science and a master's degree from Delhi University, and she pursued a PG Diploma in English Journalism from the Indian Institution of Mass Communication (IIMC). She also holds a diploma in Women's Empowerment and Development from IGNOU University and a French certification course from Alliance Française de Delhi. If not working, you can find her exploring the hills and engaging in adventurous activities in Rishikesh and Himachal Pradesh. She loves to play badminton, volleyball, and chess, and spend time with her friends and family. She also enjoys spiritual activities.Read More

Stay updated with US News covering politics, crime, weather, local events, and sports highlights. Get the latest on Donald Trump and American politics along with Horoscope 2026.