The latest communication from the individual suspected of kidnapping Nancy Guthrie appears to be an attempt to avoid the death penalty, according to a former FBI agent.
Jennifer Coffindaffer, an ex-FBI agent, stated that the most recent ransom note, which claimed 84-year-old Guthrie died shortly after her February abduction, functions more as a self-serving apology than a demand for ransom. Coffindaffer suggested this note is a strategy to mitigate potential charges, especially given that the death penalty is a possibility in Arizona for murder. "This is some sort of pretext to kind of say, 'Listen, we didn’t mean for this to happen.' …You know, mea culpa, if you will, for the event that they are caught," Coffindaffer said.
The anonymous emailer previously claimed to possess a video of Guthrie with her abductor on the day she died. This individual also demanded a single Bitcoin, then worth approximately $60,000, in exchange for the location of a cellphone containing purported footage of the suspects and their identities. Coffindaffer believes this communication is driven by a need for attention and control, with the hope of obtaining a Bitcoin payment being secondary. "It’s about attention. It’s about control. And he hopes he can get a Bitcoin out of it, too, but it’s mainly about controlling this narrative at this point," she stated.
Last week, it was revealed that a second ransom note asserted Guthrie had died and was "buried with nature." Coffindaffer expressed belief in the accuracy of this claim, suggesting that the kidnapper(s) may not have intended for Guthrie to die before the ransom was paid. "They didn’t want her to die before they could make the claim and send proof of life and get their ransom, so this went horribly wrong for them. So I do really believe that, unfortunately, Nancy Guthrie is not with us," Coffindaffer said.
No arrests have been made in connection with the disappearance and suspected death of Guthrie, who was last seen on February 2. The FBI is currently leading the investigation into the case. Coffindaffer indicated that investigators are making progress, despite the limited visibility of their efforts. "Behind the scenes, it’s red hot. We just can’t see everything going on by these investigators… There is so much," she said.
Guthrie, the mother of "Today" show host Savannah Guthrie, was abducted from her home near Tucson, Arizona. The Pima County Sheriff, Chris Nanos, has faced criticism regarding his handling of the case.