Expert Suggests Nancy Guthrie Kidnapping Was Retribution

Criminal profiler says the 84-year-old mother's abduction may have targeted her famous daughter Savannah.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 4:34pm

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An extreme close-up of a bloodstained doormat, the harsh flash illuminating the dark, textured fibers in stark contrast, conveying a sense of the sudden violence and violation of the kidnapping incident.A grim reminder that even the families of public figures can become targets of violent crime.Tucson Today

An expert criminal profiler has suggested that the kidnapping of 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie from her home near Tucson, Arizona, on January 31 could have been an act of retribution against her family, including her famous daughter Savannah Guthrie, the 'Today' show presenter. The former FBI Behavioral Analysis Unit researcher, Dr. Ann Burgess, believes the abduction may not have been targeting Nancy directly, but rather someone close to her who would be the most hurt by her kidnapping.

Why it matters

The new theory provides a potential motive for the disturbing crime, which has left authorities searching for answers. If the kidnapping was an act of retribution, it could shed light on the perpetrator's mindset and potentially uncover other connections to the Guthrie family that may have sparked such a heinous act.

The details

Blood was found spattered on the front porch of Nancy Guthrie's home, indicating that something went wrong during the abduction. Dr. Burgess suggested the kidnappers may have been targeting someone in Nancy's 'orbit', such as a family member or close friend, in order to inflict the most harm. The criminal profiler has called on the FBI to release more information about the case to help the public better understand the potential motives and circumstances surrounding the kidnapping.

  • Nancy Guthrie was kidnapped from her home on January 31, 2026.

The players

Nancy Guthrie

The 84-year-old mother of 'Today' show presenter Savannah Guthrie, who was kidnapped from her home near Tucson, Arizona.

Savannah Guthrie

The famous television journalist and co-anchor of the 'Today' show, who is the daughter of the kidnapped Nancy Guthrie.

Dr. Ann Burgess

A former FBI Behavioral Analysis Unit researcher and expert criminal profiler who has suggested the kidnapping of Nancy Guthrie could have been an act of retribution.

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What they’re saying

“I think something went very wrong inside the house … because you know, there was blood.”

— Dr. Ann Burgess, Former FBI Behavioral Analysis Unit researcher and expert criminal profiler

“Who in her orbit, let's call it family, could be friends, would be hurt the most [by her kidnapping]? And I think you can answer… It's a very mean, angry, horrible thing to do. And then if it goes wrong, which obviously it did, I think it doesn't make sense that she would be a target to do more than abduct her.”

— Dr. Ann Burgess, Former FBI Behavioral Analysis Unit researcher and expert criminal profiler

What’s next

The FBI has been urged to release more information about the case that could help the public better understand the potential motives and circumstances surrounding Nancy Guthrie's kidnapping.

The takeaway

This disturbing new theory suggests the kidnapping of Nancy Guthrie may have been an act of retribution targeting her or her loved ones, rather than being solely focused on her. The case highlights the need for more information to be released to the public in order to uncover the true motives behind this heinous crime.