‘Is this really a kidnapping?’: Former FBI official flags ‘third party’ angle in Nancy Guthrie case

TUCSON, ARIZONA: A former top FBI official has shared his doubts about the reported kidnapping of Savannah Guthrie’s mother, Nancy. The 84-year-old was reported missing on February 1 after disappearing in the middle of the night from her home in Tucson, Arizona, on January 31, and a probe has been underway since then. 

However, no suspect or person of interest has been identified so far. Amid this, Savannah shared a new video online, saying, “We are at an hour of desperation, and we need your help.”

She also requested people to report to law enforcement "if you see anything, if you hear anything, if there's anything at all that seems strange to you."

Ex-FBI official asks if Nancy Guthrie is 'really alive'

Reacting to the recent plea, former FBI Assistant Director Chris Swecker said on 'The Big Weekend Show' on Sunday, February 8, that he was “very skeptical of this."

“Is this really a kidnapping? Does somebody really have her, and is she really alive?” he asked.

Swecker then pointed to the lack of proof of life in the case. “If this was a kidnapping, it would be a very simple matter to authenticate and provide proof of life,” he stated, adding that such proof has not been “credibly authenticated at this point.”

Further in the interview, Swecker asked investigators “to allow for the possibility that this was something more or something other than a kidnapping.”

Addressing the ransom demands, Swecker explained, “Remember now, it was one million not too long ago. All of a sudden, it’s six million. I really think there’s a third party here that’s just playing with them, opportunists who think they can exploit this situation.”

Experts question Nancy Guthrie kidnapping narrative

This comes as a retired NYPD sergeant also shared his thoughts on the complicated case. According to retired NYPD Sgt Joe Giacalone, the disappearance of the mother of the NBC News anchor does not resemble a typical ransom kidnapping.

“Why would you choose an 84-year-old woman in the physical condition that she’s in? She’s on medication. There’s so many things that could go wrong... the risk far outweighs the benefits,” he pointed out.

“Especially a news reporter at NBC News, where it’s going to be major news, and then send the thing to TMZ on top of it,” Giacalone added.

Meanwhile, in a statement, the Federal Bureau of Investigation urged the public to help solve the case. “We are currently operating a 24-hour command post that includes crisis management experts, analytic support, and investigative teams. But we still need the public's help,” it added.