{"id":7863,"date":"2026-02-05T20:38:07","date_gmt":"2026-02-05T20:38:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tbdig.com\/divaxo\/?p=7863"},"modified":"2026-02-05T20:38:07","modified_gmt":"2026-02-05T20:38:07","slug":"something-isnt-right-former-nypd-hostage-negotiator-raises-alarming-concerns-in-nancy-guthrie-disappearance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tbdig.com\/divaxo\/something-isnt-right-former-nypd-hostage-negotiator-raises-alarming-concerns-in-nancy-guthrie-disappearance\/","title":{"rendered":"\u201cSomething Isn\u2019t Right\u201d: Former NYPD Hostage Negotiator Raises Alarming Concerns in Nancy Guthrie Disappearance"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A former New York Police Department hostage negotiator has shared a troubling assessment of the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of Today<\/em> co-host Savannah Guthrie\u2014suggesting the case may involve multiple suspects and a carefully planned abduction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wallace Zeins, who spent years handling complex kidnapping and hostage cases for the NYPD, says several factors point to the likelihood that more than one person was involved in Nancy Guthrie\u2019s disappearance from her Tucson, Arizona home late Sunday night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking during an interview on Tuesday, February 3, Zeins explained that Nancy\u2019s age and physical condition make it highly improbable that a single individual could have carried out the crime alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cShe\u2019s 5-foot-5, weighs about 150 pounds, was likely awakened in the middle of the night, and is not in peak health,\u201d Zeins told CNN. \u201cShe can\u2019t walk or run easily. That strongly suggests more than one person was involved.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nancy Guthrie was last seen Saturday evening, January 31, after having dinner with her daughter Annie, Savannah Guthrie\u2019s sister. Annie dropped her off at her home around 9:30 p.m.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By Sunday morning, alarm bells were ringing. Nancy failed to attend church\u2014something her family says she never misses. By midday, she was officially reported missing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos has publicly dismissed the theory that Nancy wandered away on her own, emphasizing that she does not suffer from dementia or cognitive decline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cShe is as sharp as a tack,\u201d Sheriff Nanos said. \u201cThis is not someone who simply wandered off.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During a search of her home, deputies discovered that Nancy\u2019s Apple Watch had been left behind. A law enforcement source later revealed that her pacemaker stopped syncing with the device around 2:00 a.m. Sunday\u2014an unsettling detail that has intensified concern among investigators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Authorities are also reviewing video footage that appears to show blood outside Nancy\u2019s front door, though police have not confirmed whether it belongs to her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the missing elderly person case escalated, Sheriff Nanos made a direct appeal to whoever may be responsible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cJust call us. Let her go,\u201d he said during a press briefing on Monday, February 2. \u201cWe don\u2019t need another tragic ending.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Investigators are still working to answer key questions, including what Nancy was wearing, whether a vehicle was involved, and why a security camera from the front of her home appears to be missing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fingerprints and DNA samples collected from the residence have been sent to forensic labs for analysis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adding another layer of complexity, several major media outlets\u2014including TMZ, CNN Tucson affiliate KOLD, and KGUN\u2014reported receiving alleged ransom messages demanding millions of dollars in Bitcoin for Nancy\u2019s safe return.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The messages reportedly referenced specific details from inside the home. While Sheriff Nanos has not confirmed whether those details align with evidence at the scene, he did confirm that the messages were shared with Savannah Guthrie.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zeins believes the ransom demands could ultimately help law enforcement. He noted that requesting cryptocurrency suggests the suspects may be technologically sophisticated and potentially active online.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If handwritten, the notes could provide DNA evidence. If digitally produced, Zeins explained, they may leave behind electronic clues\u2014an area where federal investigators excel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CNN correspondent Josh Campbell cautioned that the high-profile nature of the case could generate misleading or malicious tips.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn cases like this, police often receive an overwhelming number of tips\u2014some helpful, some inaccurate, and some intentionally disturbing,\u201d Campbell told CNN\u2019s Jake Tapper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Former FBI criminal profiler Candice DeLong also weighed in, noting that elderly abduction cases often involve someone known to the victim.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn the majority of kidnappings involving people over 80, the offender is someone the victim knows,\u201d DeLong explained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile, law enforcement helicopters have been seen conducting extensive searches over the desert near Nancy\u2019s home. Zeins described the effort as a \u201cgrid search,\u201d a methodical approach designed to ensure no area is overlooked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Authorities are attempting to determine whether Nancy was moved through nearby terrain or taken directly from her property.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On Wednesday night, President Donald Trump said he had spoken with Savannah Guthrie and confirmed that federal resources are being deployed to assist in the investigation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the search continues, Savannah Guthrie has stepped away from her professional responsibilities, including her planned role as a host for the 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony in Italy. NBC Sports confirmed she withdrew to focus on her family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Later that evening, Savannah issued an emotional public appeal for her mother\u2019s safe return, saying her family is \u201cready to talk.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a video posted on Instagram alongside her siblings, she acknowledged reports of a possible ransom letter and emphasized the need for direct communication.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe live in a world where images and voices can be manipulated,\u201d Savannah said. \u201cWe need to know\u2014with certainty\u2014that she is alive and that you have her.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She added, \u201cTargeting an elderly person like this is deeply disturbing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anyone with information related to Nancy Guthrie\u2019s disappearance is urged to contact the Pima County Sheriff\u2019s Department at 520-351-4900<\/strong>. The FBI is offering a $2,500 reward<\/strong> for tips that lead to helpful information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A former New York Police Department hostage negotiator has shared a troubling assessment of the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":7864,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7863","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-story"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tbdig.com\/divaxo\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7863","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tbdig.com\/divaxo\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tbdig.com\/divaxo\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tbdig.com\/divaxo\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tbdig.com\/divaxo\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7863"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/tbdig.com\/divaxo\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7863\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7865,"href":"https:\/\/tbdig.com\/divaxo\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7863\/revisions\/7865"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tbdig.com\/divaxo\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7864"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tbdig.com\/divaxo\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7863"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tbdig.com\/divaxo\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7863"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tbdig.com\/divaxo\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7863"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}