Ex-FBI Agent Offers New Theory on Missing Nancy Guthrie Case

Retired agent suggests masked suspect may have planned robbery that went wrong, leading to 84-year-old's injury but not death.

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A former FBI agent has provided a new theory on the disappearance of 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie, the mother of Today co-host Savannah Guthrie. Retired agent Andrew Bringuel analyzed surveillance footage of a masked suspect and believes the individual was planning a robbery that went awry, leading to Guthrie being injured but not killed. Bringuel suggests the suspect underestimated Guthrie and that a struggle may have resulted in her being hurt, though her current condition remains unknown.

Why it matters

The disappearance of Nancy Guthrie has captivated national attention, with authorities working to uncover what happened to the 84-year-old. Bringuel's theory provides a potential new angle to the investigation, raising questions about the suspect's motives and whether Guthrie may still be alive despite her injuries. The case has also highlighted concerns about home security and the vulnerability of elderly residents in the Tucson, Arizona community.

The details

According to Bringuel, the masked suspect in the surveillance footage appeared to be a burglar rather than a professional criminal. The backpack and tools the suspect was carrying suggested he was planning a robbery, not a murder. Bringuel believes the suspect's intent was to kidnap Guthrie, but "something went wrong" and "violence took place," leading to Guthrie being injured but not killed. The retired agent suggests the suspect may have underestimated the 84-year-old and that a struggle ensued, resulting in Guthrie's injuries, the extent of which remain unknown.

  • On February 1, the masked suspect was captured on surveillance footage approaching Guthrie's home.
  • Over a month later, police continue to investigate the disappearance, with no clarity on whether Guthrie is alive.

The players

Andrew Bringuel

A retired FBI agent who has analyzed the surveillance footage of the masked suspect in the Nancy Guthrie disappearance case.

Nancy Guthrie

An 84-year-old woman who went missing from her home in Tucson, Arizona, and is the mother of Today co-host Savannah Guthrie.

Savannah Guthrie

The co-host of the Today show and daughter of the missing Nancy Guthrie.

Aldine Meister

A neighbor of Nancy Guthrie who claims to have seen a "strange guy" in the neighborhood before the incident, which she found concerning.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Without knowing if anything of [value] was indeed stolen, my opinion is the subject's intent was to kidnap Mrs. Guthrie but something went wrong, violence took place, and she was injured but not killed.”

— Andrew Bringuel, Retired FBI Agent (Newsweek)

“If his intent was to murder her, he could have done so with the weapon on his person. He clearly wasn't against the use of violence as the evidence suggests he caused an injury to Mrs. Guthrie.”

— Andrew Bringuel, Retired FBI Agent (Newsweek)

“I think he underestimated Mrs. Guthrie. And if she resisted, he hurt her—how badly in her compromised state may have led to tragic consequences the subject didn't plan.”

— Andrew Bringuel, Retired FBI Agent (Newsweek)

“I saw him out there. So I couldn't make out his face, although his hat was way down. He was walking down the road, I saw him, and I was like, 'Ohh that guy doesn't fit'. He was kind of hunched over, not in walking or hiking gear. He was dressed in street clothing. So I thought that was weird because that's not normal.”

— Aldine Meister, Neighbor of Nancy Guthrie (Brian Entin Investigates Podcast)

What’s next

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

The takeaway

This case highlights the vulnerability of elderly residents and the need for improved home security measures, as well as the importance of community vigilance in reporting suspicious activity to aid investigations. The new theory from the retired FBI agent also raises questions about the suspect's motives and whether Guthrie may still be alive, providing a potential new angle for the ongoing search.