Retired FBI Agent Spots Potential Walkie-Talkie Clue in Nancy Guthrie Disappearance

Coffindaffer says the use of walkie-talkies could mean the perpetrator(s) avoided cell phone tracking.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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A retired FBI agent, Jennifer Coffindaffer, said she noticed what appeared to be a walkie-talkie in surveillance footage of a potential subject in the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of "Today" show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie. Coffindaffer believes the use of walkie-talkies could mean the person or persons involved did not have cell phones at Nancy's home, avoiding cell tower tracking.

Why it matters

Nancy Guthrie has been missing for over a month, prompting a multiagency search involving local law enforcement and the FBI. Alleged ransom notes were sent to multiple news outlets after her disappearance. Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said there were clues at the crime scene indicating Nancy Guthrie "did not leave on her own" and believes she was a victim of a targeted kidnapping.

The details

Coffindaffer said she was reviewing the footage of a potential subject when she noticed what appeared to be a square shape and an antenna protruding from the person's pants pocket, which she believes was a walkie-talkie. She said this "bolstered the belief" that the incident was not the act of a single person, but rather involved at least one other person. The FBI and Pima County Sheriff's Department released surveillance photos and video of a potential subject as part of the investigation, showing an armed individual appearing to have tampered with the camera at Nancy Guthrie's front door the morning of her disappearance.

  • Nancy Guthrie was last seen at her home in the Catalina Foothills neighborhood of Tucson, Arizona, on January 31.
  • Alleged ransom notes were sent to multiple news outlets after her disappearance.

The players

Jennifer Coffindaffer

A retired FBI special agent who reviewed surveillance footage and noticed what appeared to be a walkie-talkie on a potential subject in the Nancy Guthrie disappearance case.

Chris Nanos

The Pima County Sheriff who said there were clues at the crime scene indicating Nancy Guthrie "did not leave on her own" and believes she was a victim of a targeted kidnapping.

Savannah Guthrie

The co-anchor of the "Today" show and Nancy Guthrie's daughter.

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What they’re saying

“Just imagine, down the road, if an individual is arrested, that they will be able to go back and show their nexus with a walkie talkie as an example. So not only is it useful as you're investigating, but it's useful in the adjudication of the case when they're trying to show all these different areas that connect porch guy to the crime.”

— Jennifer Coffindaffer, Former FBI agent (Newsweek)

“We also know that she may be lost, she may already be gone. She may have already gone home to the Lord that she loves and is dancing in heaven with her mom and her dad, and with her beloved brother Pierce, and with our daddy. And if this is what is to be, then we will accept it. But we need to know where she is, we need her to come home.”

— Savannah Guthrie (Instagram)

What’s next

Anyone with information is asked to contact 1-800-CALL-FBI, 520-351-4900, 88-CRIME or visit tips.fbi.gov. The FBI is offering a reward of up to $100,000 for information leading to the recovery of Nancy and/or the arrest and conviction of anyone involved in her disappearance. A reward of $102,500 is also being offered by 88-CRIME for the arrest of the person or persons involved in the disappearance. Savannah Guthrie announced on Instagram the family is also offering a reward of up to $1 million, payable only for her mother's recovery.

The takeaway

The potential use of walkie-talkies by the perpetrator(s) in the Nancy Guthrie disappearance case suggests a level of sophistication in avoiding cell phone tracking, complicating the investigation. This highlights the challenges law enforcement faces in solving high-profile missing persons cases, especially when advanced technology may be employed by the suspects.