As the search for Nancy Guthrie enters its second week, former FBI agent and CIA member Tracy Walder opened up to Page Six about the “skills” her alleged kidnappers possess that pose a “problem” in the investigation.
‘Problems’ in Nancy Guthrie Investigation
Walder claims Guthrie’s abductor “definitely knows what they’re doing,” as local news outlet KGUN9 revealed the kidnappers demanded $6 million in bitcoin in their ransom letter. They set a Monday, February 9, at 5 p.m. local time as their deadline, the outlet claimed.
“Obviously nothing is completely untraceable, but [demanding bitcoin] buys them more time because it makes that traceability more difficult…The FBI is getting much better at tracing bitcoin than they have in the past. It’s a newer form of money and you have to develop skills to get there,” Walder told Page Six on Sunday, February 8.
Despite Pima County Sheriff confirming earlier that day that they currently have “no suspects [or] persons of interest” in Guthrie’s disappearance, Walder added, “I think anyone could be caught.”
“The question is, how long does that take? You have that added sense of urgency with a potential life being in jeopardy,” Walder continued. “I do think the problem is the length of time. The more tech savvy you are adds an extra layer of difficulty.”
Walder concluded, “I think I do feel they will be caught. I just wish it was now. That’s the problem.”
Another former FBI agent, Stuart Kaplan, seemingly seconded Walder’s claim, telling “Fox & Friends Weekend,” “I think the FBI and its partners are zeroing in and that the noose is getting tighter and tighter.”
Kaplan added, “I think every time you see law enforcement go back to the house, they have in some capacity, additional digital footprints that require them to go back and corroborate or to dismiss or dispel or to confirm.”
Search for Nancy Guthrie Continues
Guthrie, the mother of “Today” host Savannah Guthrie, was last seen on Saturday, January 31, when her daughter, Annie Guthrie, dropped her off at home following a family dinner. After friends noticed she was absent from her regular church service the following morning, her children called 911.
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos revealed during a press conference on Monday that investigators believe the 84-year-old was taken from her home against her will.
In the days that followed, various news outlets received alleged ransom notes in connection with her disappearance. According to TMZ, which was the first to report on the note, the alleged ransom letter included two deadlines: Thursday, February 5, and Monday, February 9.
