Bethenny Frankel floats possible media rivalry angle in Nancy Guthrie case
CATALINA FOOTHILLS, ARIZONA: As the search for Nancy Guthrie entered its 12th day on Thursday, Feb 12, Bethenny Frankel added her own theory to the growing speculation surrounding the shocking case.
The 55-year-old reality star took to Instagram to share what she called a logical possibility behind the alleged kidnapping of Savannah Guthrie’s 84-year-old mother.
Frankel suggested that a rival journalist from Savannah’s past might somehow be connected to the crime. While she admitted she could be missing key details, she openly questioned whether professional jealousy could be at play.
Bethenny Frankel questions whether rival journalist could be involved
In her Instagram video, the former ‘Real Housewives of New York City’ star said investigators have described the ransom note as being written by someone “extremely articulate” with alleged ties to television stations in Arizona.
Frankel noted that Savannah previously worked at a TV station in Arizona early in her career and said that detail made her question whether someone from that professional circle could be connected to the case.
“So is it some competitive journalist that Savannah won, got the gig, broke out, and made all the big bucks, and that person has resentment and wants to get their payday that they deserve?” Frankel asked her more than 4 million followers.
She quickly acknowledged that she has no proof. “I have not heard anything like that, and why does that type of thing sound logical to me?” she added.
Still, Frankel admitted she is “probably missing many pieces” in the case and even asked her followers to help connect dots.
“Help me with the missing details please,” she captioned the video, calling her fans “part-time reporters.”
What we know about Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance
Nancy Guthrie was last seen around 9:30 PM on January 31 after being dropped off at her Catalina Foothills home by her son-in-law, Tommaso Cioni, following a family dinner.
She was reported missing the following afternoon after failing to attend her usual virtual church service.
Investigators believe Savannah Guthrie’s mother may have been kidnapped in her sleep and possibly harmed. Authorities confirmed that a trail of blood found outside the front door of her home belonged to Nancy.
A ransom note was later sent to TMZ and several Tucson news outlets demanding $6 million in bitcoin by February 9. After the deadline passed, it was confirmed that about $152 worth of bitcoin appeared in the account linked to the demand.
Savannah Guthrie steps away from ‘Today’ amid family crisis
Savannah Guthrie, who previously worked as a reporter and anchor at Tucson’s NBC affiliate KVOA-TV, has stepped away from her role on ‘Today’ to focus on the search for her mother.
She has shared emotional videos alongside her siblings, Camron and Annie Guthrie, directly appealing to the suspected abductor. The family has publicly agreed to pay the $6 million ransom in hopes of bringing Nancy home safely.
“Someone out there recognizes this person,” Savannah said in one video after authorities released images and footage of the suspected abductor outside her mother’s home.
“We believe she is still out there,” she added. “Bring her home.”
