Ex-NYPD Negotiator Warns Multiple Suspects Likely Involved in Abduction of Savannah Guthrie’s Mother [WATCH]

The circumstances surrounding the alleged abduction of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of Today show co-host Savannah Guthrie, suggest more than one person may have been involved, according to a former NYPD hostage negotiator, as reported by The New York Post.

Wallace Zeins, who previously served as a hostage negotiator with the New York Police Department, said late Tuesday that details tied to a purported ransom note demanding cryptocurrency raise questions about how many individuals participated in the alleged crime.

Zeins made the remarks during an interview on CNN.

Growing up I watched the Today Show for years with Savanah Guthrie. The disappearance of her mother is personal to all of us who has watched her daughter on TV and living in Arizona it is even more personal as this is a fellow resident and neighbor.

Praying for her safe return! pic.twitter.com/vkEYWADuun

— Anthony DeWitt (@AnthonyDeWitt7) February 3, 2026

Warning: Account balances and purchasing power no longer tell the same story. Know in 2 minutes if your retirement is working for you.

Nancy Guthrie was reported missing Sunday from her rural, million-dollar home in Arizona, prompting an ongoing investigation by the Pima County Sheriff’s Department. Authorities have said they fear she was abducted.

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“I believe the possibility of more than one person. She’s 150 pounds, 5’5, waking up in the middle of the night, not in the best of health – can’t walk or run, so I would think there’s more than one person involved in this particular crime,” Zeins said.

He also focused on the contents of the alleged ransom note, which reportedly demanded millions of dollars in Bitcoin. The note was first sent to TMZ and implied consequences if the payment was not made.

“What does that tell you, it tells you that it’s some type of group that knows what Bitcoin is all about, and social media, and they know the system,” Zeins said.

According to TMZ, the note also allegedly referenced details left behind at the crime scene. Zeins said the method used to create the note could be significant to investigators.

“It’s not known if the ransom note was handwritten,” Zeins said. “If it were scribed, then it would have to go through forensic testing.”

“If it was on a computer, then that helps also because the FBI is so good at what they do when it comes down to electronic surveillance and electronic stuff of that nature, then they will be able to further that investigation,” he added.

“I would think there’s more than one person involved in this particular crime.”

Former NYPD hostage negotiator Wallace Zeins tells @ErinBurnett the circumstances surrounding Nancy Guthrie’s abduction suggest multiple perpetrators, and warns that her health is “paramount” without… pic.twitter.com/1QmhoeD07W

— Erin Burnett OutFront (@OutFrontCNN) February 4, 2026

Nancy Guthrie, who requires critical medication every 24 hours, was last seen Saturday night.

Her daughter Annie had dinner with her, after which Nancy returned home around 9:30 p.m., according to authorities. Annie was the last person known to have seen her.

Nancy was reported missing by family members around noon Sunday after she failed to appear for a service.

During a search of her home in the Catalina Hills area, investigators found blood spatters outside the residence, and part of a Ring doorbell camera was missing.

Authorities also recovered Nancy’s Apple Watch. A law enforcement source said her pacemaker stopped syncing with the device at approximately 2 a.m. Sunday.

Watching the Today Show yesterday I was suspicious that a family member was involved in the abduction of Nancy Guthrie. At her front door, they would have seen the trail of blood & her door cam missing. They searched her house for an HOUR before they called police. Red flag. pic.twitter.com/QLwhSConKt

— Kelynme ✝️ (@Kelynme) February 4, 2026

FBI agents visited Annie Guthrie’s home on Tuesday as part of the investigation.

Investigators said they have not found evidence indicating the disappearance was targeted.

“At this point, there is no credible information indicating this was a targeted incident,” the sheriff’s department told KSAZ.

Officials confirmed that reports of a ransom note are being taken seriously.

“Anything that comes in, goes directly to our detectives, who are coordinating with the FBI,” the department said.

Statement on the Nancy Guthrie investigation – pic.twitter.com/81w1qPXPNx

— Pima County Sheriff’s Department (@PimaSheriff) February 4, 2026

President Donald Trump said he would offer federal assistance to help resolve the case and stated he planned to call Savannah Guthrie.

The investigation remains ongoing.

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