A former FBI agent says there’s no guarantee Nancy Guthrie is still alive, because no proof of life was included with a second ransom note demanding payment tied to the “Today” show host’s mother.
Officials think Nancy, who has been missing for eight days, was taken against her will from her home on the outskirts of Tucson last weekend. No suspects have been identified yet, they said.
Ken Gray told CTV News Channel on Saturday, that there is “always a possibility” a family member could be involved.
“Despite the fact that she (Savannah Guthrie) is participating in the negotiations here to get her mother back, (she) and her husband remain potential suspects,” Gray added.
“But as the sheriff has said, they have no prime suspect ... (and) nobody is ruled out.”
DNA testing confirmed that blood found on Guthrie’s porch belonged to Nancy, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said.
Officials also said a camera at the home did not capture images or evidence of another person. They added that the home’s doorbell camera had been disconnected on Sunday, and no footage could be recovered because Nancy did not have an active subscription.
Concerns have also been raised about Nancy’s health, as she requires daily medication.
According to Gray, law enforcement always knows more than what they say to the media and public.
“You do not compromise the integrity of your case just to inform the public,” he said.
Gray said information is released only when investigators need the public’s help, and even then, details are limited.
One reason, he said, is to protect the integrity of the case. Another is to prevent individuals, like the California resident who attempted to demand Bitcoin while posing as the kidnapper, from inserting themselves into the case.
“You reveal details, you increase the possibility of somebody else getting involved with the case,” Gray said, adding he is positive that the FBI director is keeping U.S. President Donald Trump informed about the developments.
“After all, the president did guarantee that he would provide federal bodies to help work this case,” he said.
The high-profile abduction has drawn national attention in the U.S., with Trump ordering federal authorities to help with the investigation.
