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By Khaleda Rahman
National Correspondent
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A former Pima County Sheriff’s Department lieutenant has responded to a theory that Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance has cartel ties.
Fox News reporter Michael Ruiz shared a video of the former lieutenant, Bob Krygier, answering a question about whether it is possible that Guthrie's disappearance could be a case of "a cartel hit on the wrong address."
"It is a possibility. I think it'd be more far-fetched," the former lieutenant said.
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Why It Matters
Authorities believe Guthrie—the mother of Today show host Savannah Guthrie—was taken against her will from her home just outside Tucson, Arizona. She was last seen there on January 31 and reported missing the next day after not attending church. DNA tests showed blood on Guthrie’s front porch was a match to her and her doorbell camera was disconnected in the early hours of February 1, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos has said.
By Monday evening, a purported ransom deadline apparently set by her abductors appeared to have passed.
Her disappearance has received national attention, including from President Donald Trump's administration. Nanos has said the matter is being treated as a criminal investigation, with the FBI and other law enforcement agencies assisting in the case.
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What To Know
Krygier said: "I have responded to plenty of home invasions in my career, and there have been houses that have been hit, basically the wrong house, the wrong people would live there, where they recently moved in, and whoever was living there before had issues with whoever may have done the home invasion or had it, you know, taken care of.
"In this instance, if they've lived there for a long time, probably not a cartel-related home invasion, but it doesn't mean it's not."
The FBI on Monday said it was not aware of ongoing communication between Guthrie’s family and any suspected kidnappers.
The FBI and the Pima County Sheriff’s Department said they have not identified any suspects, persons of interest or vehicles in connection with the case. The sheriff’s department said law enforcement tip lines have received thousands of calls and investigators are reviewing them.
In a video released on Monday, Savannah Guthrie said her family was "at an hour of desperation" but continue to believe her mother is out there. She urged people nationwide who might have information that aids the search to report it to law enforcement.
In another video released on Saturday, she said the family was prepared to pay for her mother’s return.
Multiple news outlets received alleged ransom letters over the past week, including at least one that made monetary demands and set deadlines for receiving the money. The deadlines passed on Thursday and Monday evening.
Law enforcement officials have not confirmed their credibility but said all tips were being investigated.
The sheriff’s department said on Monday that investigators will continue their work at Guthrie residences in the coming days "as part of the ongoing investigative process, including the expansion of the search and follow-up on new leads."
Over the weekend, investigators searched a septic tank behind Nancy Guthrie’s property.
What People Are Saying
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department said in a statement to Newsweek and other news outlets on Monday: "Many of you observed an active law enforcement presence at the Guthrie residences over the weekend. That activity will continue tonight and into tomorrow as part of the ongoing investigative process, including the expansion of the search and follow-up on new leads. This is all part of the investigative process, as the search for Nancy expands and new leads come in. To preserve the integrity of this criminal investigation, details of that process are not being released at this time."
The FBI said in a statement on Monday: "The FBI is not aware of any continued communication between the Guthrie family and suspected kidnappers, nor have we identified a suspect or person of interest in this case. Additional personnel from FBI field offices across the nation continue to deploy to Tucson. We are currently operating a 24-hour command post that includes crisis management experts, analytic support, and investigative teams. But we still need the public’s help. Someone has that one piece of information that can help us bring Nancy home. We need that person to share what they know."
Savannah Guthrie said in a video released Monday: "We believe our mom is still out there. We need your help. Law enforcement is working tirelessly around the clock trying to bring her home, trying to find her. She was taken and we don’t know where and we need your help.
"No matter where you are, even if you’re far from Tucson, if you see anything, if you hear anything, if there’s anything at all that seems strange to you, that you report to law enforcement. We are at an hour of desperation and we need your help."
What Happens Next
The FBI and Pima County Sheriff’s Department said they would continue expanding searches and following new leads.
Anyone with information is urged to contact 1-800-CALL-FBI, the PCSD non-emergency line at 520-351-4900 or 88-CRIME.
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