Former FBI Assistant Director Chris Swecker commented on the ongoing investigation into the disappearance of Savannah Guthrie‘s 84 year old mother, Nancy Guthrie.
He highlighted key aspects of the case, including the handling of ransom demands and the lack of verified proof of life.
Chris Swecker’s remarks came as the family issued public appeals for her safe return. At the same time, law enforcement continues to collect evidence at the scene of Nancy Guthrie’s alleged kidnapping.
Ex-FBI Official Expresses Doubts In Nancy Guthrie Case
Instagram | Savannah Guthrie
A former senior FBI official is casting doubt on claims that Savannah Guthrie’s 84-year-old mother, Nancy, is alive and being held by kidnappers.
Chris Swecker, who previously served as Assistant Director of the FBI, said he finds the situation highly questionable during an appearance on Fox News’ “The Big Weekend Show” on Sunday.
“I’m very skeptical of that,” Swecker said, according to the New York Post. “Is this really a kidnapping? Someone really has her, and is she really alive?”
His comments came after Savannah and her two sisters shared emotional appeals on social media, urging those who claim to have their mother to bring her home.
The family has reportedly agreed to meet ransom demands of up to $6 million.
Swecker pointed out that in cases of genuine kidnapping, proof of life is usually simple to provide, something he says did not happen here in any credible or verified way.
“If this was a kidnapping, it would be a very simple matter to verify and provide proof of life,” he explained. “You have to allow for the possibility that this was something more or something other than a kidnapping.”
Ex-FBI Officer Raises Concerns Over Change of Ransom in Nancy Guthrie’s Disappearance
MPI28/Capital Pictures / MEGA
Swecker also questioned the rapidly changing ransom amounts, noting that demand reportedly jumped from $1 million to $6 million in a short period of time.
“I really think there is a third party playing with them, opportunists who think they can exploit this situation,” he said.
Since Nancy’s disappearance from her Tucson home, at least two messages claiming to be ransom notes have circulated.
One of them, sent to several media organizations last week, described two deadlines, one that has already passed and another set for Monday, according to FBI officials.
The Last Sighting Of Savannah Guthrie’s Mother Before Her Disappearance
Lisa O’Connor/AFF-USA.com / MEGA
Authorities said Nancy was last seen on January 31st. She was reported missing the next day after a friend from church said she never came to a service on February 1st.
The Police believe that the old woman was taken “against her will”. On February 6, the FBI and the Pima County Sheriff’s Department confirmed they were reviewing another note connected to the case.
“Investigators are actively inspecting the information provided in the message for its authenticity,” the sheriff’s department said in a statement posted on X.
Meanwhile, law enforcement activity increased Friday at Nancy’s Tucson residence as investigators stepped up efforts to uncover new information about her disappearance.
Several police vehicles were stationed at the home for much of the day, and authorities were later seen towing a blue SUV from the property.
Search Expands As Law Enforcement Increases Efforts In Nancy Guthrie Case
Instagram | Savannah Guthrie
In addition to towing the SUV, investigators were also observed removing what appeared to be a device from the roof, although officials did not clarify what role, if any, the items play in the ongoing case.
The Pima County Sheriff’s Office has not yet said why the vehicle was taken for examination.
While detectives continue to search the home, officials said the investigation is expanding beyond Arizona’s borders.
FBI Phoenix Public Affairs Officer Brooke A. Brennan confirmed that billboards displaying Nancy’s image and FBI contact details will soon be displayed in parts of Texas, New Mexico, and California in hopes of generating new leads.
Authorities are again urging anyone with information to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI. A $50,000 reward remains available for tips that result in the safe recovery of Nancy “and/or the arrest and conviction of anyone involved in her disappearance.”
Investigators review timeline in Savannah Guthrie’s mother’s disappearance over missing bell cam
ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA
Investigators are also working to piece together a clearer timeline of Nancy’s last known hours.
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said her doorbell camera stopped working around 1:47 a.m. early Sunday, a time when investigators believe she was still inside the home and asleep.
Although the camera went offline, the motion was later recorded at around 2:12 in the morning, leaving a gap of about 20 minutes that remains unexplained.
NBC News Law enforcement analyst Tom Winter said the interruption may have been intentional. He suggested the camera may have been tampered with as a way to “test” whether law enforcement would respond immediately, although he cautioned that investigators have not yet identified which camera detected the later motion.
The authorities also confirmed that the blood discovered outside the residence was identified as Nancy’s. Speaking at a press briefing, Sheriff Nanos said the evidence makes it clear that she did not leave voluntarily and that the home is being treated as an active crime scene.