Expert suggests Savannah Guthrie’s mother Nancy was 'stalked' before 'planned' kidnapping

According to the expert, the lack of DNA indicating a suspect and evidence of doorbell camera tampering point to a calculated move
Tracy Walder, a former CIA and FBI agent, suggested the kidnapper stalked Savannah Guthrie's mother, Nancy Guthrie, for 'some time' to get a pattern of her daily life (Don Arnold/WireImage)
Tracy Walder, a former CIA and FBI agent, suggested the kidnapper stalked Savannah Guthrie's mother, Nancy Guthrie, for 'some time' to get a pattern of her daily life (Don Arnold/WireImage)

TUCSON, ARIZONA: Savannah Guthrie's mother, Nancy Guthrie, was likely targeted and monitored by a stalker for a significant period before being kidnapped from her Arizona home, according to a former CIA and FBI agent, Tracy Walder. 

With the ongoing search for the 84-year-old entering its fifth day, Walder suggests the person who took Nancy was familiar with her residence and daily patterns.

Savannah Guthrie's mother Nancy was reported missing on February 1 (Savannah Guthrie/ Facebook)
Savannah Guthrie's mother Nancy Guthrie was reported missing on February 1 (Savannah Guthrie/ Facebook)

Expert suggests a stalker, not a relative, could be responsible 

Tracy Walder told Page Six that the kidnapper was likely "clearly suited up and gloved up" because no DNA indicating a suspect was found at the house. 

Even though Nancy is older and in poor health, Walder noted, “I find it very hard to believe that she wouldn’t have fought back a little bit in some way,” which usually means a suspect would leave DNA behind.

It may be noted that the Pima County Sheriff’s Department confirmed that Nancy’s doorbell camera was disconnected at 1.47 am on Sunday, February 1, and evidence suggests the kidnapper remained on the property for approximately 45 minutes.

Walder pointed out that the suspect seemed to know exactly where the security cameras were located in order to disable them.

While some might suspect an insider, Walder clarified, “Now, that doesn’t always mean it’s a family member. That could mean it’s a stalker.”

Walder believes the kidnapper “probably stalked her for some time and got a pattern life” to learn when she was home alone.

Investigators find a ‘start point’ in search for Nancy Guthrie (@savannahguthrie/Instagram)
An expert believes the kidnapper probably stalked Nancy Guthrie for some time and 'got a pattern life' to learn when she was home alone (@savannahguthrie/Instagram)

Expert doesn't believe Nancy Guthrie's kidnapping was just a 'robbery gone wrong'

Tracy Walder also noted that Nancy Guthrie’s private information was easy to find online, which is dangerous because her daughter, Savannah Guthrie, is a famous news anchor. 

She says there is “no way this is a robbery gone wrong” because a robber would not take the person with them. Instead, she thinks the kidnapper knew a lot about Nancy's life. 

“If this is something that was planned, which I do think it was … maybe this person knew about the condition she has, and maybe this person knew to have medication for her in it,” Walder said.  

(Screengrab/hodakotb/Instagram)
An expert believes the kidnapper might have known about Nancy Guthrie's medical condition (Screengrab/hodakotb/Instagram)

Expert unconvinced motive behind Nancy Guthrie's kidnapping is 'fully about money'

While a ransom might be involved, Walder is not convinced that money is the primary reason behind the kidnapping.

“I just in my gut, feel like this is someone that either had some kind of obsession with Savannah because of how high-profile she is, and this was a way to potentially get to her,” she said.

Walder added, "Or this is a person that has some kind of beef with Savannah because of whatever story she covered, whoever she interviewed, any of those. I am not convinced it’s fully about money. I’m not completely convinced this is solely about the ransom.”

As the investigation continues, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos has stated that authorities are “actively looking at everyone” and confirmed that Savannah’s family has “been very cooperative.” 

However, the situation is very serious because the police found a trail of blood outside the front door that belongs to Nancy.

The sheriff believes Nancy was taken while she was sleeping and was likely “harmed” during the kidnapping. 

GET BREAKING U.S. NEWS & POLITICAL UPDATES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

Lindsay Clancy’s first trial ended in a mistrial after jurors failed to reach a unanimous verdict on charges tied to her three children’s deaths
7 hours ago
First-time voters can avoid last-minute confusion by checking their registration status, ID rules, and polling location before the 2026 midterms
8 hours ago
Christa Pike’s legal team described her ordeal after Tennessee’s September 30 lethal injection attempt failed, leaving her in critical condition
11 hours ago
Sokol was reporting outside the Bangor Comprehensive Treatment Center when a man objected to his presence just before the vehicle moved toward him
17 hours ago
According to her lawyers, Pike’s arm became discoloured during the later stages of the process, with burning reported around injection sites
18 hours ago
The family alleged that Renee Good was driving away when the agent fired and that the shooting violated federal use-of-force rules
19 hours ago
Pike was taken to the death chamber at Riverbend and placed on the execution gurney
22 hours ago
Adam Polo described the aircraft's sudden plunge and chaos inside the cabin after the captain was reportedly stabbed during the flight
1 day ago
Through his attorney, Bryon Noem said he is saddened by the end of the relationship and hopes the couple can resolve the matter privately and amicably
1 day ago
Shili Chen and Shouyong Zhang faced felony murder charges as prosecutors alleged they had “lied in wait” for Jonathan McKinsey
1 day ago