Nancy Guthrie suspect theory divides ex-FBI agents

Two former FBI agents weighed in on a potential suspect theory in the case of Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance. 

Stuart Kaplan, a lawyer and former Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) special agent, said law enforcement is “circling in” on a potential suspect during a Fox News appearance. 

“I think the FBI has a lot more information. I think they’re circling in with respect to a home care attendant or someone who looked after her or who dropped in to watch her,” Kaplan said. 

Jennifer Coffindaffer, a former FBI special agent, reacted to the interview, writing on X, “We haven’t even heard of a home care nurse.” 

“Meanwhile, billboards are being put up, rewards are being jacked up, and the sheriff is saying No Suspects while the family pleads to a phantom kidnapper?” Coffindaffer wrote. “When you see that sort of activity, it means LE [law enforcement] is looking for help. A tip came in about a white van being in the neighborhood.  I hope this proves useful. As far as a Healthcare nurse’s involvement, show me the proof of that?” 

The Pima County Sheriff’s Department told Newsweek, “At this point we have not identified a person of interest or suspect in this case.” 

The Context 

Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of Today show host Savannah Guthrie, has been missing for several days, with her disappearance receiving national attention. She was last seen at her home in the Catalina Foothills neighborhood of Tucson, Arizona, on Saturday. A purported ransom note was sent to local Arizona news stations and TMZ after her disappearance.

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said the matter is being treated as a criminal investigation. The FBI and other law enforcement agencies are now assisting in the case.

Nanos said at a press conference on Monday there were things at the crime scene that indicated the 84-year-old “did not leave on her own.” The sheriff has also said Nancy needs daily medication and it could be fatal if she did not have the medication every 24 hours. 

What To Know 

“The family, because she’s 84 and she lives on her own, they routinely have people that drop in and look after her and assist her,” Kaplan told Newsweek. “That obviously opens up the web to include those people who may have a relationship with her on a professional level, a home health care aide, a home health care caretaker, care provider, driver, those types of things. And so when you couple that type of information outside just the inner circle of the family, you would have to include those people.” 

He said law enforcement is keeping information “close to the vest.” 

“One of the things we don’t want to do is tip off someone who may be implicated in assisting or facilitating or actually being the perpetrator,” Kaplan said. “We always want that person to feel that the light, so to speak, is not on him or her. We actually want to draw as far away any attention to them, so they kind of let their guard down a little bit. Because, generally, when people let their guard down, that’s when they tend to slip up.” 

He added that he thinks “the FBI has a lot more information, and they’re just going to be as methodical as possible to make sure, that if there’s an apprehension, to get the right person.” 

“In studying this case from the minute this disappearance happened and really taking in all the information, I have never even heard about a home health aide, not saying she doesn’t have one,” Coffindaffer told Newsweek, adding that anyone associated with Nancy “will obviously be interviewed and polygraphed.” 

“But to say that they are circling in on a health care aide is something I’m just 100 percent not familiar with. That did not come from law enforcement,” she said who agreed that law enforcement is keeping information “close to the vest,” but added that a recently announced $50,000 reward made her “take notice.” 

“When you see $50,000, a reward added, you’re going to add to the number of people that now are going to take note, that now are going to call. They’re going to be interested in getting that money, whether their information is good or not,” Coffindaffer said. 

She added: “Typically, you don’t raise a reward amount unless you’re running dry on usable leads.” 

What People Are Saying 

Pima County Sheriff’s Department, on Facebook on Wednesday: “At this point, investigators have not identified a suspect or person of interest in this case. Detectives continue to speak to anyone who may have had contact with Mrs. Guthrie. Detectives are working closely with the Guthrie family. While we appreciate the public’s concern, the sharing of unverified accusations or false information is irresponsible and does not assist the investigation.” 

Heith Janke, FBI special agent in charge of the FBI Phoenix division, at a press conference on Thursday: “This is an 84-year-old grandma that needs vital medication for her wellbeing. You still have time to do the right thing before this becomes a worse, much worse scenario for you. Please return Nancy home.” 

Savannah Guthrie, Today show host and Nancy Guthrie’s daughter, in a video message posted on Instagram on Wednesday: “We are ready to talk. 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. We want to hear from you and we are ready to listen. Please reach out to us.” 

What Happens Next 

Anyone with information is asked to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324).

People can also contact their local FBI office or the nearest American Embassy or Consulate. Tips can also be submitted online at tips.fbi.gov. The FBI is offering a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to the recovery of Nancy Guthrie and/or the arrest and conviction of anyone involved in her disappearance. 

Do you have a story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have any questions about this story? Contact LiveNews@newsweek.com.