The disappearance of 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie continues to hold the nation’s attention — especially after multiple ransom notes surfaced demanding $6 million for her return.
But now, a former senior FBI official is questioning whether this case fits the profile of a kidnapping at all.
The frantic search for Nancy, the missing mother of “Today” co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, has entered its fourteenth day. Investigators were seen setting up a tent outside the Tucson-area crime scene early Thursday morning — just hours after Savannah shared an emotional video pleading for her mother’s safe return. Authorities have canvassed the neighborhood and asked residents to hand over any home surveillance footage that might assist the investigation. Arizona officials say they’ve now received nearly 20,000 tips connected to the disappearance of the 84-year-old grandmother.
Amid the growing urgency, a new and troubling development emerged: a third ransom note, reportedly sent to TMZ. In the message, the sender claimed they were “not being taken seriously,” raising fresh questions about who is behind the communication — and whether it is credible.
Former FBI Assistant Director Chris Swecker says he is deeply skeptical. I just don’t think anything TMZ has brought forward has panned out,” Swecker said during an appearance on Fox News’ The Faulkner Focus. He suggested that such public platforms can become vehicles for opportunists. “It’s a good vehicle for people to come in and do this. TMZ gets some viewership, and it sort of ties up the investigative team trying to run this down. But I sense a scam here.”
Swecker was careful to add that he could be mistaken. “I may be absolutely wrong,” he acknowledged. “But bottom line, I’m very skeptical of it.”
His doubts go beyond the ransom letters themselves. In recent days, Swecker has openly questioned whether the case resembles a traditional kidnapping-for-ransom scenario at all.
“I’m very skeptical of this,” he told Fox News. “Is this really a kidnapping? Does somebody really have her, and is she really alive?”
