A former New York Police Department hostage negotiator is offering a stark assessment of what may have happened to Nancy Guthrie, and his analysis suggests a carefully coordinated crime rather than a spontaneous act.
Wallace Zeins, who spent years handling abductions and high-risk negotiations, says the circumstances strongly indicate that more than one person was involved in Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance from her Tucson, Arizona home late Saturday night.
Speaking in a television interview on Tuesday, Zeins pointed to Nancy’s age and physical condition as key factors.
“She is 150 pounds, 5 feet 5, waking up in the middle of the night, not in the best health, cannot walk or run,” he said, adding that a solo abductor would have faced significant difficulty. “I would think there is more than one person involved in this particular crime.”
What investigators have confirmed so far
Nancy, 84, was last seen on Saturday evening, January 31, after having dinner with her daughter Annie. She was dropped off at her home around 9:30 p.m. Family members grew concerned the next morning when she failed to attend church, something relatives say she never missed. By midday Sunday, she was officially reported missing.
Authorities have been clear on one point: Nancy did not leave voluntarily. Chris Nanos, the Pima County sheriff, has publicly ruled out dementia or confusion.
“She is as sharp as a tack,” Nanos said. “Her family wants everybody to know this is not somebody that just wandered off.”
During a search of the home, deputies found Nancy’s Apple Watch left behind. A law-enforcement source later revealed that her pacemaker stopped syncing with the device around 2:00 a.m. Sunday—an unsettling detail that has sharpened the investigation’s focus. Video footage showing what appears to be blood outside her front door has circulated, though police have not confirmed whether it belongs to Nancy.
A direct plea to whoever is responsible
As concern intensified, Sheriff Nanos issued a rare and emotional appeal.
“Just call us. Let her go. Just call us,” he said. “We do not need another bad, tragic ending.”
Detectives are now working to fill in critical gaps: what Nancy was wearing, whether a vehicle was used, and why a security camera from the front of her home appears to be missing. Fingerprints and DNA recovered from the house have been sent to laboratories for analysis.
Ransom notes deepen the mystery
The case took another troubling turn when several outlets—including TMZ and local Arizona stations—reported receiving alleged ransom notes demanding millions of dollars in Bitcoin in exchange for Nancy’s safe return. The notes reportedly referenced details from inside the home. While Sheriff Nanos has not confirmed whether those details match evidence at the scene, he did acknowledge that the notes were shared with Nancy’s daughter, Savannah Guthrie.
Zeins believes the ransom demands themselves could become a crucial investigative tool. Requests for cryptocurrency suggest a degree of digital sophistication, and either handwritten or typed notes may yield forensic or electronic trails—areas where federal agencies often play a role.
Managing a flood of tips
High-profile cases can attract misinformation as well as genuine leads. CNN correspondent Josh Campbell cautioned that investigators are likely being inundated with tips of varying quality, some of them misleading or even malicious.
Former FBI profiler Candice DeLong added broader context, noting that in many kidnappings involving elderly victims, the offender is often someone the victim knows—an observation investigators have not publicly confirmed or denied in this case.
Search efforts and federal involvement
Police helicopters have been seen conducting systematic grid searches in the desert areas near Nancy’s home, a method used to ensure no terrain is overlooked. Zeins explained that such searches can help determine whether a victim was moved through nearby areas or taken directly by vehicle.
On Wednesday night, Donald Trump said he had spoken with Savannah Guthrie and that federal resources were being deployed to assist in bringing her mother home safely.
Savannah Guthrie’s plea
Savannah has stepped away from professional commitments, including her planned role in the 2026 Winter Olympics coverage, to remain with her family. In a video shared on Instagram alongside her siblings, she issued a careful but emotional message to whoever may be holding her mother.
“We are ready to talk,” she said, while also warning that in a digital age, voices and images can be manipulated. “We need to know, without a doubt, that she is alive and that you have her.”
As investigators continue working around the clock, one sentiment has echoed widely online and among law-enforcement professionals alike: targeting an elderly person in this way is deeply disturbing. Authorities urge anyone with information to contact the Pima County Sheriff’s Department at 520-351-4900. The Federal Bureau of Investigation is offering a $2,500 reward for tips that lead to helpful information.
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