The U.S. Border Patrol has joined in the search for Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of “Today” show co-host Savannah Guthrie, who has been reported missing since Sunday. Ali Bradley, the senior immigration correspondent for NewsNation, noted the development in a post on the social platform X.
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“NEW: Border Patrol’s Tucson Sector BORSTAR team (Border Patrol Search Trauma and Rescue) has been assisting in the search for Nancy Guthrie—It is a special operations group with extensive tracking and EMT capabilities,” she wrote. “Sources within CBP say BORSTAR agents were set up to track her whereabouts,, but nothing was leaving the house that they could see.”
Law enforcement officials are exploring the possibility that more than one person may have been involved in the disappearance of Guthrie, according to sources familiar with the investigation, the New York Post reported.
Wallace Zeins, a former NYPD hostage negotiator, spoke to CNN late Tuesday about the ransom note allegedly sent for Nancy Guthrie, 84. The note demands a significant payment in cryptocurrency, which may provide clues about the identities of the suspected kidnappers.
Desperate Arizona police have made an appeal to the alleged abductor, but Zeins believes it is possible that more than one individual is involved in the kidnapping.
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“I believe the possibility of more than one person. She’s 150 pounds, 5 foot 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 before turning his attention to an alleged ransom note sent to the entertainment website TMZ.
“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,” he said, noting that the alleged kidnappers are demanding millions in electronic funds.
The ransom note reportedly contained specifics about the crime scene left at Nancy’s home, as reported by TMZ.
It’s unclear whether the ransom note was handwritten. If it was, it would need to undergo forensic testing, according to Zeins.
“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 said.
Guthrie was last seen at her home in Tucson, and her disappearance has prompted a multi-agency search that includes local police and federal investigators. Authorities have not publicly released details about suspects or persons of interest, but recent reporting indicates investigators are considering scenarios involving multiple individuals.
Blood spattering was found in Guthrie’s home but it’s unclear who it came from at this point.
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The developments come amid an ongoing effort to piece together Guthrie’s last known movements and identify potential leads. Law enforcement has recovered items of interest, including papers and communications that are being examined for evidentiary value, though officials have not confirmed whether any of these are directly related to wrongdoing.
Investigators have been tight-lipped about specifics, and sheriff’s officials have repeatedly urged the public to come forward with any information that might assist the inquiry. They have also stressed that the investigation remains active and evolving.
No arrests have been announced, and authorities have not confirmed the number of people they believe may be involved. The investigation continues as law enforcement works to establish a timeline and determine Guthrie’s whereabouts.
Nancy, who needs critical medication every 24 hours, was reported missing on Sunday, and Pima County police fear she may have been abducted. Investigators have found no evidence to suggest that her disappearance was targeted.
