Potential Motive Revealed in Nancy Guthrie Kidnapping

Expert suggests the abduction may have been retaliation against one of her loved ones.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 5:19pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a bloodied doorknob, capturing the stark, gritty details of the crime scene in dramatic lighting.The discovery of blood at the scene suggests a violent struggle occurred during the brazen kidnapping of Nancy Guthrie.Tucson Today

A criminal profiler believes the kidnapping of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of TODAY Show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, could have been an act of retribution based on the blood found spattered on the front porch on January 31. The expert suggests the abduction may not have been targeting Nancy directly, but rather someone close to her in an effort to hurt Savannah Guthrie.

Why it matters

The potential motive of retaliation against Savannah Guthrie's family raises concerning questions about the high-profile nature of the case and whether Nancy Guthrie was specifically targeted or caught in the crossfire of a larger dispute. This could have implications for the ongoing investigation and the safety of the Guthrie family.

The details

Former FBI Behavioral Analysis Unit researcher Dr. Ann Burgess believes 'something went very wrong inside the house' during the kidnapping, noting the presence of blood on the front porch. Burgess suggested Nancy Guthrie may not have been the initial target, and that the abduction could have been retaliation against one of her loved ones who would hurt Savannah Guthrie the most. The FBI has released doorbell camera footage of an armed and masked man outside Nancy Guthrie's home on the morning she was reported missing, but have not named any suspects.

  • Nancy Guthrie was reported missing from her Tucson, Arizona home on February 1, 2026.
  • Multiple purported ransom notes were sent since her disappearance.
  • Savannah Guthrie made her return to the TODAY Show's anchor desk hours before the new ransom notes were sent to TMZ on April 6, 2026.

The players

Nancy Guthrie

The 84-year-old mother of TODAY Show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, who was kidnapped from her home in Tucson, Arizona.

Savannah Guthrie

The co-anchor of the TODAY Show, whose mother Nancy Guthrie was kidnapped.

Dr. Ann Burgess

A former FBI Behavioral Analysis Unit researcher and psychiatric clinical nurse specialist who provided expert analysis on the potential motive behind Nancy Guthrie's kidnapping.

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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

“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

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 complex and concerning dynamics that can arise when a high-profile individual's family member is targeted, raising questions about security, motive, and the broader implications for the Guthrie family's safety.