Tucson Kidnapping Case: Bloodstains Indicate Victim’s Struggle
TUCSON, Ariz. — Bloodstains found on Nancy Guthrie’s porch suggest she was still alive when a kidnapper forced her from her home in Tucson’s Catalina foothills, according to a former FBI profiler. Investigators believe the masked suspect made mistakes that might lead to his eventual identification.
“The fact that she was alive at that time is at least something we can confirm,” said Jim Clemente, who has a 22-year tenure with the FBI.
This conclusion comes from examining the blood patterns on her doorstep. There’s a noticeable cluster of round droplets by the front door that leads to a trail tapering off towards her driveway.
Details Emerge from Guthrie’s Disappearance
Nancy Guthrie, who is 84 and the mother of “Today” co-host Savannah Guthrie, was taken from her home around 2:30 a.m. on February 1. Initially, investigators had limited clues, but the FBI and Google were able to recover footage from her Nest doorbell camera. This video reportedly shows a masked individual wearing gloves and a holstered firearm arriving at her residence on the night she went missing.
The suspect is described as being taller than average and of solid build. Nearly 100 days after the incident, his identity has yet to be uncovered.
Despite this, the video is filled with potential clues, according to Clemente. He noted that the suspect seemed to have scouted the area beforehand, attempting to conceal the camera lens with nearby foliage. In doing so, he potentially revealed a tattoo on his wrist, suggesting a hasty attempt to prepare for the situation.
The Investigation Continues
“He’s clearly not a seasoned criminal. His mistakes have likely put him in a position where identifying him is possible,” Clemente remarked.
Details about the interior of the home remain confidential, but some leaks indicate what transpired. Clemente theorizes that the suspect may have threatened her with a firearm while she was in bed, guiding her toward the door where she realized she was being taken. This prompted her to resist, which, in hindsight, could explain the blood evidence at the scene.
The doorbell footage did not capture the moment she was taken but showed her stone walkway marked with blood. When deputies arrived later that morning, the camera was missing. However, the recovery of the video may have heightened the kidnapper’s stress, making him careless—mistakes that those around him could observe and perhaps link back to him.
Unidentified hair samples were also found at the scene and sent for analysis. Clemente suggested that if this hair can be identified as belonging to a criminal, it could lead to naming the suspect.
A combined reward exceeding $1.2 million is available for information regarding this case. The family urges anyone with knowledge to reach out to local authorities or the FBI.
