Search Efforts for Nancy Guthrie Using High-Tech Tools
An “ethical hacker” has developed a sophisticated Bluetooth “signal sniffer” aimed at assisting in the search for Nancy Guthrie, who is currently missing. This tool is being utilized in conjunction with an app that he is also working on.
David Kennedy, the CEO of TrustedSec, stated that the device is mounted on a Pima County Sheriff’s helicopter flying over Tucson, Arizona, boasting a range of up to 800 feet.
Kennedy, a former Marine and expert associated with the National Security Agency’s cyber operations, recognized the potential to contribute when he learned that Savannah Guthrie’s mother had a Bluetooth-enabled pacemaker.
“Once the situation with Nancy Guthrie came to light, it became public that her pacemaker was disconnected from her cellphone, indicating it was one of the latest models with Bluetooth features,” Kennedy explained.
In earlier statements, he noted his collaboration with pacemaker manufacturers to assess their defenses against hacking and to ensure the devices remain functional.
“From our findings, we designed a software tool focused on locating Bluetooth Low Energy devices,” he added.
Bluetooth signals transmit at low power, but Elizabeth noted that using signal amplifiers and high-gain antennas can significantly enhance range, enabling scans for signals from a distance.
Kennedy has tested this technology by connecting his Bluetooth detector to a drone, achieving detection up to 800 feet away.
Soon after, he reached out to law enforcement to coordinate assistance in Arizona from a colleague of his.
Bluetooth operates around 2.4 gigahertz, a frequency shared with many other wireless devices. In an ideal scenario, Kennedy believes the sniffer could identify a pacemaker signal from as far as 5,000 feet. However, he acknowledges that physical barriers, like Nancy’s body and nearby walls, could significantly reduce this range.
He further clarified, “A Bluetooth Low Energy device transmits at only about 10 milliwatts, with an effective range of 30 to 35 feet. But it’s not about direct communication; rather, we’re looking to create a broader energy field that helps us locate signals.”
Kennedy demonstrated the sniffer’s capabilities by testing it under his arm, revealing its effectiveness. He expressed optimism about the device’s potential in locating Nancy.
“This sniffer is built to zone in on Nancy’s specific address. With so many Bluetooth devices out there, our focus is solely on her,” he said.
The sniffer sifts through interference from other devices, performing an “active scan” when nearby to establish a connection for further responses.
He emphasized that Nancy’s pacemaker was lucky enough to be a relatively new device, keeping it connected to her phone.
“Since it’s paired, the device continually seeks to check in with her phone, even when out of range,” Kennedy noted.
He added that the sniffer could “unmask” her device, despite it having a security feature that typically obscures its address.
The process, however, isn’t straightforward.
“A bit of luck is necessary. You have to be in the right place at the right time while it’s transmitting for identification, and triangulation is crucial,” he said. “If something happens to the pacemaker, that could jeopardize everything.”
Due to these factors, Kennedy is also developing an app that would help track Nancy’s Bluetooth devices.
“Together with a colleague, I’ve created both an iPhone and Android app. If it can detect the physical address of the device, it could transform the surrounding community into a scanning network,” he detailed.
According to Kennedy, the app would allow anyone to simply press ‘Find Nancy,’ sending alerts to law enforcement upon detection. “Imagine being able to roll out an app that could facilitate this within days. You’d be scanning their location, and the FBI could respond accordingly,” he described.
As of the latest information, Nancy was reported missing on February 1. Authorities have compiled a staggering 40,000 to 50,000 clues related to her disappearance.
