Savannah Guthrie’s emotional interview with Hoda Kotb offers new details on the Nancy Guthrie abduction.
The “TODAY” co-anchor revealed that her mother’s back doors were “propped open,” raising questions about the suspect’s possible entry point.
In the latest episode of “Brian Entin Investigates,” a retired FBI agent shared some useful tips on how to stay safe during a home invasion.
Maureen O’Connell, who spent 25 years as a special agent, stressed that failing to lock your door is a major security risk for homeowners.
“It’s just one of the worst things you can do. And I don’t care where you live,” O’Connell told Brian Entin. “I know that we all want to live in these idyllic places where crime like this doesn’t happen. But guys, if you look at so many of these heinous crimes, they all happened in places where no one thought crime like that could exist or flourish.”
Nancy Guthrie Abduction: Retired FBI Agent Highlights Why Homeowners Need a Plan
O’Connell emphasized that it’s very important to have a plan in case of a home invasion.
“Put a plan together. And even if the plan is like, if someone breaks into my house, I’m calling 911,” she explained. “And I’m throwing my phone under the heaviest dresser or under the bed. Because what does that mean? The bad guy can’t pick it up and hang it up. And you can yell even while you’re being attacked.”
O’Connell also recommended having a reliable contact to call during such an emergency and walk them through the steps they should take.
She explained, “If you hear someone at your door, you can first call someone and just hang up with the understanding, ‘hey, if I ever call you and hang up, call 911, I need either a welfare check or someone’s breaking in the house. The only time I’m going to call you is if someone’s breaking into my house, and then I’m going to hang up and dial 911, too. But if I’m unable to, you have to call also.’ You know, have a plan like that.”
Expert Shares Crucial Safety Advice: Lock Your Doors
However, O’Connell pointed out that if the back door was left wide open, the plan is out of the window.
“Because you’re not even to see it coming,” she stressed. “Sometimes all you need, you know, like a lot of gun owners, we may not need a whole lot of time, but we need some time.”
The retired FBI agent suggested locking the bedroom door, as it could give the homeowner more time to call for help.
Nancy Guthrie was abducted from her home in the early morning hours of February 1.
