Nancy Guthrie Likely Died in Mexico After Kidnapping, Says Veteran Pima County Cop
What To Know
- Rick Kastigar, former boss of Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos, theorizes that multiple people abducted Nancy Guthrie and took her to Mexico to obtain medication.
- Kastigar believes the kidnappers intended to keep Nancy alive to use her as leverage for a ransom.
- Nancy Guthrie, who has been missing since January 31, required daily medication and had limited mobility.
As the search for Nancy Guthrie continues into its seventh week, Rick Kastigar, the former boss of Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos, has shared a grim theory on what he believes happened to the missing 84-year-old.
Speaking to NewsNation’s Brian Entin on the latest edition of Brian Entin Investigates, Kastigar said he thinks multiple people were involved in Nancy’s abduction and that it’s likely she was taken to Mexico in hopes of getting her the medication she needed to keep her alive.
Nancy, the mother of Today co-host Savannah Guthrie, has been missing since January 31, when police believe she was abducted from her home in Tucson, Arizona. Since then, investigators have released doorbell camera footage of a masked suspect and shared a description of the potential abductor.
Kastigar said it would be in the kidnappers’ interests to keep Nancy alive so they could bargain with the family, most likely for money. Therefore, he thinks it’s reasonable to assume they would have taken Nancy to Mexico to address any potential medical issues.
“What would prevent an individual who had planned this out—to the level that I think he did—from going into Mexico and harboring her someplace in Mexico where, theoretically, they could deal with her medical issues,” the former police chief told Entin.
However, Kasitgar added that he believes Nancy “died somehow, while that plan may have been attempted.”
“And I believe that negated their opportunity to get what they wanted from the family. A lot of us think it’s money—and that very well may be,” he continued.
Kasitgar also pointed to pleas from Savannah and the Guthrie family, which state they want Nancy brought home, but don’t specify “alive.”
“My theory is that she’s passed,” he stated. “My theory is that they have nothing—they being the perpetrators—really have nothing with which to bargain any further. and what they may have done with her, I don’t know.”
Previous reports noted that Nancy’s pacemaker stopped syncing with her Apple Watch on February 1. Nanos also revealed Nancy had limited mobility and required daily medication for high blood pressure and heart issues.
Conversation60 Comments
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K
In my opinion, there are HUGE red flags when it comes to the whole investigation:
Crime scene not adequately preserved. Sheriff insisting his own department was capable of processing and handling the evidence/dna even though they obviously weren't. FBI were there for a reason. They should have been allowed to take over the investigation weeks ago. Too small of a search radius. It should have covered more area. Sheriff prematurely "eliminating" all immediate family. I know they're a family in pain right now and my heart goes out to them, but in cases like these, the perpetrators often have or have had close ties to the victim. It would take any 84 year old I know longer than 2 minutes to get out of the car and get inside. Garage opened and 2 minutes later it closed? HOW? Has the son-in-law REALLY been excluded? He's the last person to see Nancy alive...I want to know how they verified that he did indeed drop her off there. Do we have footage of him arriving with her and leaving without her? No, we don't. So how can he be eliminated if we can't verify those details? If you ask me, I don't understand how Savannah can be smiling while talking about how Nancy could be "dancing in heaven with her dear brother." Her behavior and demeanor makes me wonder.
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C
My husband said the whole thing is crazy but he still trying to piece it together
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G
Well thank goodness for your husband, hope he solves it soon.. lol
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L
You don't know anything
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V
Do not blame poor savannah.this poor family has been through enough grief to kill them from the stress.so she smiled that her mom may be in heaven. Those who believe in God know it's a better life in heaven with God and those gone before you.savannah has no other reason to smile through this horror.im sure her poor mom is dead considering age health problems she has length of time gone and the sheer horror of what she's gone through. I'm sure savannah and family realize by now she is probably dead though sometimes miracles happen.the cruelty of this situation is unimaginable.no one needs to add hurt blaming the family.they have been proven innocent of this tragedy.
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Y
Wait, this was her Grandma, wasnt it?
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R
Unfortunately, I think they killed this poor lady before they transported her out of her home. I think that was the purpose of the large backpack. I suspect it was holding a tarp of some sorts to wrap her body in to carry her out. I hope and pray that I am wrong. It is heart wrenching 💔
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3
If she was passed already, why bother taking her body out of the Country, plus Mexico expects passports to enter their country. Why wasn't the mom alone, if she had all those health issues.
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H
You dont need a passport to get into Mexico.
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T
true you do not, i said same though why was she living alone with such medical conditions and money to take care of her ??
they would take the body because of all the dna on it, plus probably was alive for a bit after being taken. They may not have known her medical conditions entirely .
I think the backpack contained a knock out drug of some sort and probably, blind fold and tape.
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T
i also at first thought the cartel, for something deeper ?? anybody else ?
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Q
Yes you do
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R
A passport is not needed driving into Mexico
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C
There was a private plane that left Tuscan 2 hours after she went missing and it went to Mexico.
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M
Even if your parent has health issues doesn't mean the elder parent would ever accept help from YOU or anybody else (home health, nurses, social workers, clergy) you name it. Now hear this -- I'm telling you that just about ANYONE over the age of 65 who can walk, drive, dress themselves, cook, etc. doesn't want or need help. This is called independence. People get sick and have illness but blessed is she who has a supportive family who loves them, checks in on them, and lets them make their own decisions. And although the elder parent "needs you", most parents don't want to burden or pester.
Personally I was honored to take care of my parent(s) from 20 minutes away from where they lived. Call often. Bring them a treat. Tell them you are always on call for them. Please God - whatever happened to this woman, help the world deal with the epitome of this insane cruelty. There are more missing elders in the USA than you can fathom. This is so scary and we are all afraid but let the officials do their job. Justice will prevail. #WHEREISJODIHUISENTRUIT missing since June 27, 1995.
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Y
SO TRUE!
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A
I agree! What else should have been in this backpack?!!
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M
My opinion as well - the big stuffed backpack gives you a clue !
Tarp - I said it from day one. Isn’t the police picking up on this?
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W
This is such a tragedy! Kidnapping an old lady, in need of her medication! She must be or must have been so afraid and confused. Why are they drawing this out so long? If she had passed away, surely they can leave her body at the border area for someone to find her and return her to her family so they can get closure. Why are they holding out? I am sure poor Nancy did not want to become famous in these sad circumstances! Apparently she was going to visit her attorney the day after she was abducted to remove her SIL from managing her financial business. How come I see a red flag? PLEASE prove me wrong! I truly hope she is found sooner rather than later. The family has suffered a lot already!!
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Y
i AGREE WITH YOU. wHY HAVE THIS DRAMA AND PUT AN OLD LADY THROUGH THIS. I AM SURE THERE WAS A BETER WAY.
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T
Fire the Sheriff. What a bum. Day one, it should have been a roped-off crime scene.
Day two, have FBI take over investigation since she could have been taken over state lines or out of country.
None of this was done.
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3
It's the Family's responsibility to watch over their mom who was in bad health.
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G
I think this guy hit the nail on the head . I believe the intention was to focus on her pacemaker. Why else would anyone know or care about disconnecting it from the app? These guys probably have a family member who needed one . You don’t need a prescription in Mexico to get meds , at least it used to be that way . There also wasn’t a ransom for 4 days later .
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M
I think pacemaker disconnected when she left home, because it was too far to be connected.
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G
Yes a few feet from watch or app will disconnect her
Pacemaker. Plus heart patients can’t have any stress at her age.
Get the Cajon Navy to find her?
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Q
He may have thought the pacemaker hooked up could have has a gps on it so he discinnected it
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S
Despicable disgusting people who would do this to an old woman, a grandmother! Who does things like this? These are the sickening people who ICE should have gotten rid of.
I also thought from day 1, that it was a kidnapping gone bad. She died fast and they had to abandon the plan.
I hope DNA captures these awful people. Capture the criminals, then send their family back to Mexico.
Awful people who did this. I was against ICE at first, now I hope they send criminals back to Mexico and wherever else they’re all from.
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C
Someone evil that don't believe in Jesus
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G
Perps should be put to death when found hopefully our God will do it.
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G
Your god puts innocent children to death!!! Well after making them suffer for a while…..
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M
Did I miss something? Do we know if the captures are illegals? If yes I agree.
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G
Checking in every night from Switzerland. I wish they would find her
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B
Respect
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W
I think Nancy died before she left the house. Maybe scared, had heart attack. Whichever, seems they got away with murder. Her body could be anywhere. Poor thing.
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F
I think that she died within 24 - 48 hours of being kidnapped and I agree with this man that they took her into Mexico.
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E
What was the point in removing Nancy from her home?
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D
I believe she died. Taking her to Mexico would have been an advantage for her kidnappers. But this story saying that she was taken there for her drugs. It would have been easier to bring prescription drugs into the US. Then it would to take her there.
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P
But it would be easier for her to receive any required medical care in Mexico with a crooked doctor. Also, when authorities are looking in the vicinity of Tucson, it makes more sense for the perps to seek safety in another country.
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S
Crossing the border with someone so sought, would be tricky. They would have had to smuggle her in.
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G
As Rick the previous Sheriff very long time said it is very easy to get into Mexico!
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C
sounds little whacked out to some people but it has worked in the past! why didn't they consult psychics, in the past there's crimes as psychics has solved with certain key visions it's been done in history of solving crimes or locating people still alive... why didn't police consult people with psychic ability that are known to be good not frauds.
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A
That was my first thought and I still do not understand, why the police did not do it!!
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G
🙄 yea go ahead and get me the winning lotto numbers while getting info on this case… Go ahead and just solve all the Murders while you’re with the psychic on this case.
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S
I think she could be alive and close by. I feel it's Annie and her hubby. Debt issues and jealousy, Nancy was making changes to her will. Keep the Faith she will be found.
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J
I won't believe it until Megyn Kelly says it. She seems to be the expert these days. And I agree that the sheriff seems to be useless, more interested in giving interviews than doing the job.
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C
Megyn Kelly is not the expert. Unfortunately, so much time has past. It’s such a tragic story. God Bless them all!
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P
I believe that dumb sheriff should be fired how can that man go to the gym 3 to 4 days a week go for drives inhis convertible live in almost a million dollar home he only a sheriff should have been fired a long time a go did not do his job matlock or columbo ot murder she wrote would have done better!!
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N
Is the damn rug and shrubbery still on the porch!! That is mega DNA!!They did not take the camera bracket until FBI arrived either!!!
This is a tragedy alright and the Guthrie family and all other families with missing loved ones in the Tucson area, deserve much better!!!
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Q
How is that mega dna he had gloves on??
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E
Nancy should be returned no matter what... with no new DNA - its an inside job - those who knew Nancy...
but not the answer - we hoped for.
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N
The front door rug -never bagged for DNA , as well as the shrubs he used to conceal his face, and broken shards from security camera??? He had to have taken the flashlight out of his mouth with the gloves on, and transferred some DNA somewhere. Oh that rug, a piece of skin that fell, an eyelash?? Pictures I saw 2/28, it was still there- why???
Next- the doors were propped open and immaculate in the house. Hello, they cleaned it!!
They used bleach, or cleaning solutions, so as not to leave a trace of any DNA??? By the time the police arrived, the place was aired out. THAT IS WHY THE FRONT DOOR RUG WAS SO IMPORTANT TO TAKE RIGHT AWAY!!!
Last I saw, was Annie taking boxes from the house???
Interesting. That was on Utube from a phone camera on the scene.
It is someone close to the family, who knew the layout of the house , a worker, laborer, or envious friend or family member.
Praying for Mrs Guthrie and her family.
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Q
He had gloves on bd I am sure they would not have left prints on that scrub or rug They spent about 40 mins there probably cleaning up some
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N
Really horrible! Hope they find Mrs Guthrie soon.
There are some evil individuals out there!!!
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A
Why didn't they take her medication with them? It was sitting right there on the counter.
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L
That is so sad. The depravity of man knows no limits. What did an elderly woman get this treatment while trying to live out the rest of her life beats the imagination.
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T
Honestly Savannah is an evil liberal and God punished her
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E
I don't think God Punishes .... the other arc angel is the devil himself... but what has that to do with Guthries family? I hope Nancy is found... as she deserves better too.... so he family can have closure...
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L
There Is A reason why this woman was kidnapped,And I hope she was not cannabalized.
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S
i hope she live
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B
that was definitely one of the things that I would have known about if I was in charge of it.
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