Nancy Guthrie Search Update: Private Investigator Claims Cartel Abducted Star's Mother

A private investigator with more than 35 years of experience has claimed that Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of NBC Today co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, was abducted by individuals linked to a drug cartel but not taken into Mexico.

Bill Garcia, who is based in California, told Border Report the disappearance was financially motivated and tied to organised crime in southern Arizona. 'That particular area of Arizona is a high drug and money transporting area,' Garcia said. 'It has deepened my belief that this is in some way related to a money-making venture by people involved with a cartel.'

Guthrie was reported missing from her Catalina Foothills home in Tucson on 1 February after failing to appear for a scheduled church livestream. Her son-in-law, Tommaso Cioni, had dropped her off at approximately 9.50 p.m. on 31 January. Relatives who checked on her around 11 a.m. found her phone and belongings still inside.

Surveillance Footage Shows Suspect At Nancy Guthrie's Door

The FBI released doorbell camera footage showing a masked, armed man at Guthrie's front door the night she vanished. The bureau described the suspect as roughly 5 feet 9 to 10 inches tall, of average build, and carrying a black 25-litre Ozark Trail backpack.

Garcia said the suspect's behaviour pointed to someone without criminal experience. 'He does things a professional would not do,' he said. 'For instance, the way he approaches the camera. Why would he pick up some shrubbery, as it didn't effectively cover up the camera?' He noted a holster that appeared to be manufactured in Mexico and looked oversized for the weapon. 'Just the appearance and mannerisms make me believe it is a low-level associate.'

Blood was confirmed on Guthrie's porch, though no trail led away from the property. Garcia said he suspects a struggle took place after the camera was removed and that she may have been forced back inside.

PI Claims Nancy Guthrie Held North Of Tucson, Not In Mexico

Garcia said the level of law enforcement between Tucson and the Mexican border would make a crossing extremely difficult. He believes Guthrie is being held somewhere in the 100- to 130-mile stretch between Tucson and the Phoenix-Mesa area. 'They would have to choose a location that's safe and where they're less likely to be caught in the act,' he said.

Border Patrol officer Leon Boyer has disputed the cartel theory. 'Cartels target people in Mexico. They do not target people in the US,' he said, according to Front Page Detectives. Authorities have not publicly endorsed Garcia's theory.

Garcia Quit Nancy Guthrie Case Over Safety Fears

Garcia withdrew from the case on 1 March. He told Crossroads Report he no longer felt safe. 'It's not safe. 100 per cent not safe,' he said. 'My family is concerned, not only for my safety, but for their safety as well.' Garcia was kidnapped by a cartel in 2019 while working on a separate case in Mexico and held for eight hours. He described the Guthrie investigation as 'too much of a circus' and said he believed 'something is being withheld.' Asked whether the case would be solved, he said no.

Sheriff Says Investigators Are 'Definitely Closer'

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said on 2 March that progress was being made. 'I think the investigators are definitely closer,' he told NBC News.

'I personally believe Nancy Guthrie is alive.' Two men were briefly detained for questioning but released within 24 hours. Neither is considered a suspect, CNN reported. DNA recovered from the property does not match Guthrie, her family, or anyone who worked at the home.

The Guthrie family has offered $1 million (£810,000) for information leading to Nancy's recovery. The FBI posted a separate $100,000 (£81,000) reward, and an anonymous donor contributed $102,500 (£83,000).

Savannah Guthrie and her siblings laid flowers outside their mother's home on 2 March. 'Please don't stop praying and hoping with us,' she wrote on social media. 'Bring her home.' The sheriff's department said it is refocusing resources to detectives assigned to the case.