New concerns continue to surface in the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of “Today” co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, who has been missing since February 1. As investigators work to piece together what may have happened in the early morning hours, experts are also examining how the circumstances of that night could have affected her physically and mentally.
Expert Explains How Sleep Inertia Could Leave Someone Disoriented
GettyDuring the March 7 episode of Nancy Grace’s “Crime Stories” podcast, sleep specialist Pat Byrne discussed a scenario in the case that he said left him “immediately” concerned.
Byrne focused on how the human brain responds when someone is suddenly awakened in the middle of the night, particularly during deeper stages of sleep.
He suggested that the confusion that follows such an abrupt awakening could have played a role in what unfolded inside Guthrie’s Arizona home.
The expert explained that a person abruptly woken around 2 a.m. may experience sleep inertia, a temporary state in which the brain struggles to shift from deep sleep to full awareness.
“So what I started to think about was what’s going on in her brain? What sleep stage was she at? And how did that affect her emotions and her thought process once she woke up? So our human brains do not go from fully asleep to fully awake,” he told Grace, as quoted by Parade.
“There’s this process, and it’s called sleep inertia. There’s this process of waking up. And that depends partly on how you’re woken up and what sleep stage you’re at. So, at 2 a.m., [Nancy Guthrie] was probably either in a very deep sleep or in what’s called REM sleep, which is rapid-eyed movement sleep, which is where we dream. And the interesting thing about that is if she were in a deep sleep, then she would be incredibly confused.”
According to Byrne, that confusion can last several minutes and may leave a person disoriented, unsure of their surroundings, or what is happening around them.
Heart Condition May Have Increased Risk During Sudden Wake-Up
Byrne also raised concerns about how Guthrie’s health history could have complicated the situation.
He noted that the missing Arizona woman had a pacemaker, indicating an existing heart condition.
“That concerned me immediately,” Byrne added. “The research just shows that elderly people who, even without heart conditions, are at a high risk of heart attacks and being violently woken up from a deep sleep. So that’s what the scientific research shows. And so you add on the fact that she has a pacemaker, which means she has a heart condition, makes it worse.”
According to Byrne, the combination of confusion and sudden stress could have placed Guthrie at significant medical risk.
Investigators Continue Searching for Answers in the Case
Authorities have not confirmed whether Guthrie was alive when she left her home during the early morning hours.
Investigators did find drops of blood on the front stoop of the residence, later confirmed to belong to Guthrie. Officials have not yet determined where the blood originated or what exactly happened in those moments.
Forensic pathologist Dr. Michael Baden shared his assessment of the evidence in an interview with Fox News Digital.
“The nature of the blood spots with little pale centers or donut shapes is typical for drops that come from the nose or mouth, because they’re mixed with air,” he said.
Despite the unanswered questions, authorities say the investigation remains active as detectives continue to pursue new leads.
Investigators Are ‘Closer Every Day’ to Solving Nancy Guthrie Case: Expert Reveals
GettyRetired Pima County SWAT commander Bob Krygier spoke with Parade and said investigators are steadily working through the evidence.
“They are 24 hours closer every single day,” he said.
Krygier added that progress in cases like this can take time, even when investigators are moving forward.
“No matter how you look at that statement, the investigators ARE closer every day to ending and solving this case. That doesn’t mean it’s going to happen in a week, or a month, or even a year, but they are closer today than they were yesterday.”
Guthrie, 84, has now been missing for more than a month. Authorities say they have received numerous tips but have not identified any suspects or made an arrest.
Former FBI agent Greg Rogers also believes the case remains very active behind the scenes.
“I am confident there is a good amount of familial research underway concerning the DNA samples found in the residence. There won’t be any press releases concerning that…until a potential suspect is identified,” Rogers told Parade.
As of the writing of this story, no suspect has been identified by authorities.
I wish the so called experts would go back under the rock they were hiding. I think they have caused so much harm to the family and given so much information to whoever did this. I believe they have set back this case.