Savannah Guthrie’s emotional appeal for the safe return of her mother, Nancy Guthrie, may be revealing more than just heartbreak. According to former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe, the family’s public message strongly suggests that no legitimate ransom demand has been made yet.
“To me, it reads like an effort to establish some sort of communication,” McCabe told CNN late Wednesday. “We don’t know this for sure, but I feel this is a fairly strong signal they don’t believe they’ve had a legitimate ransom demand yet.”
In plain English: the family appears to be waiting for proof that someone actually has Nancy — not negotiating with anyone yet. As McCabe explained, families don’t usually go public like this once real talks are underway.
“What you hear the family saying is, ‘We’re ready to talk, reach out to us, we just want to know you have our mother,’” he said. “That’s not something you would do if already in negotiations with someone you actually thought had the victim.”
McCabe added that cases like this attract scammers and fake leads, people eager to exploit tragedy for money or attention — because unfortunately, some people have no bottom.
“This experience is incredibly stressful — medically, psychologically, physically,” he said. “It’s hard to imagine that an organized kidnapping would delay a ransom demand. I would have kind of expected that to have happened.”
Savannah Guthrie made her plea as the search for her mother entered its fifth day. Nancy disappeared from her home in Catalina Hills, Arizona, and her daughter publicly begged the alleged abductor to confirm she is alive.
“We need to know, without a doubt, that she is alive, and that you have her. We want to hear from you, and we are ready to listen. Please, reach out to us,” Savannah said alongside her siblings.
More than 400 people gathered for a vigil at St. Philip’s in the Hill Episcopal Church in Tucson, lighting candles and praying for Nancy’s safe return. Community members shared memories of the Guthrie family and offered support as the search continues.
President Donald Trump personally contacted Savannah and pledged full federal assistance.
“I spoke with Savannah Guthrie, and let her know that I am directing ALL Federal Law Enforcement to be at the family’s, and Local Law Enforcement’s, complete disposal, IMMEDIATELY,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “We are deploying all resources to get her mother home safely.”
While the situation remains tense, the strong federal response and the outpouring of community support show that Nancy Guthrie is not being searched for alone. With law enforcement fully engaged and the nation watching, hope remains firmly alive that she will be brought home safely.
