Nancy Guthrie has been missing for almost a month, but her family has not given up hope of finding the 84-year-old, who was taken from her home in Tucson, Arizona, by an unidentified man. Her daughter, Savannah Guthrie, has been publicly pleading for help, while detectives and FBI agents continue working through forensic evidence gathered at the scene.

A former FBI agent has now put forward a new theory suggesting the kidnapper may have acted out of a personal grievance rather than financial motivation — a claim that shifts the focus away from ransom and towards the possibility that Nancy may have known her abductor.

Does Nancy Guthrie Know Her Kidnapper?

Following the kidnapping, members of Nancy's family came under scrutiny as possible suspects but were cleared last week. A spokesperson for the sheriff's office said the family had been fully cooperative and that suspecting them of involvement was unfounded. Investigators have released an image of the kidnapper's face to the public, though his identity has not been confirmed.

Jonny Grusing, a former agent with the FBI's Denver Division, shared his analysis with Fox News, arguing that the kidnapper likely had a personal score to settle. Grusing noted that the suspect appeared to be wearing thick gloves, which would have made it difficult to fire a real weapon, leading him to conclude the gun may have been a prop.

'So, if the gun's a prop, if he's shielding himself from being seen, if he's actually ringing the doorbell or knocking on the door, getting her to come, he wants to confront her about something in my opinion,' he told Fox News.

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He also raised the possibility that Nancy recognised the suspect during the encounter, which may have caused both parties to panic. Grusing said ransom was unlikely to have been the primary motive because the kidnapper made no immediate contact with the family to demand money.

Pima County Sheriff's Department spokesperson Angelica Carrillo said forensic teams face challenges separating DNA collected from the property, but that laboratory experts continue working through the analysis.

Savannah Guthrie Pleads for Help

Nancy's three children have been urging the public to assist in locating their mother. Last week, Savannah uploaded a video on Instagram urging whoever is involved in the kidnapping to bring her mother home, writing in her caption that it is never too late to do the right thing.

She also shared a tribute video professing her love for Nancy and pledging that she and her siblings would never give up. In a separate clip, the siblings addressed a ransom demand from the kidnapper directly, confirming they had been unable to produce the money requested.

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Where is Nancy Guthrie Now?

Investigators have not ruled out the possibility that Nancy was transported across the Mexican border, though reports suggest this did not happen immediately after the kidnapping. According to those reports, Nancy may have been moved only after her children were unable to meet the ransom demand. Her whereabouts remain unknown as the investigation continues.

Originally published on IBTimes UK

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