Ex-FBI Agent Connects Nancy Guthrie Abduction to Recent Arizona Arrests

How the cases may be linked, according to a retired FBI agent's theory

Mar. 16, 2026 at 1:20pm

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A retired FBI agent, Jennifer Coffindaffer, believes the recent arrest of two California teenagers in Arizona for an alleged cryptocurrency robbery scheme could be connected to the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the mother of Today show host Savannah Guthrie. Coffindaffer points to similarities between the two cases, including the location and the use of the encrypted messaging app Signal.

Why it matters

The potential connection between these cases could provide new leads in the investigation into Nancy Guthrie's disappearance, which has remained a mystery since she was last seen outside her home in Tucson, Arizona. Coffindaffer's theory also raises questions about whether the recent ransom notes received by news outlets regarding Guthrie's case could be authentic.

The details

On January 31, just hours before Nancy Guthrie was last seen, two teenage boys from California were arrested in Scottsdale, Arizona, for allegedly dressing as delivery drivers, duct-taping and assaulting two adults, and extorting them for $66 million in cryptocurrency. The teenagers claimed they got the information from individuals known as 'Red' and '8', and all communications were through the Signal app. Retired FBI agent Jennifer Coffindaffer believes this scheme could be 'somehow related' to what happened to Nancy Guthrie, as Scottsdale is not far from Tucson, where Guthrie lives. Coffindaffer also pointed to a billboard in Woodland Hills, California, about Guthrie's disappearance, noting that it's located near where the arrested teenagers are from, and questioned why the FBI would be paying for a billboard in California.

  • On January 31, two California teenagers were arrested in Scottsdale, Arizona, for an alleged cryptocurrency robbery scheme.
  • Just hours after the arrests, Nancy Guthrie was last seen outside her home in Tucson, Arizona.

The players

Jennifer Coffindaffer

A retired FBI agent who believes the recent arrests in Arizona could be connected to the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie.

Nancy Guthrie

The mother of Today show host Savannah Guthrie, who went missing from her home in Tucson, Arizona.

Savannah Guthrie

The host of the Today show and the daughter of Nancy Guthrie.

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What they’re saying

“What? Glad the FBI is paying for billboards, but why in California?”

— Jennifer Coffindaffer, Retired FBI agent

“Those boys were bumblers, but these cases have similarities and I have no doubt the FBI is making sure that Red and 8 have no connection to Nancy or funding other kidnapping attempts.”

— Jennifer Coffindaffer, Retired FBI agent

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow the two California teenagers out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights the potential connections between seemingly unrelated crimes and the importance of thorough investigations to uncover any potential links. The FBI's involvement in the billboard campaign in California also raises questions about the scope of their investigation into Nancy Guthrie's disappearance.