Did Kidnappers Target the Wrong House? Ex-Lieutenant Weighs In on Nancy Guthrie Case

February 10, 2026 – Tucson, Arizona: The mystery around the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of NBC anchor Savannah Guthrie, continues to deepen. Investigators are now examining whether the kidnappers may have targeted the wrong house by mistake, according to a former law enforcement officer.

Nancy Guthrie has been missing since the night of January 31, 2026. A missing person report was filed the next morning. Since then, more than 100 investigators, including the FBI, have been involved in the search.

New Theory Raises Questions

A former Pima County Sheriff’s Department lieutenant recently discussed a new angle. He said that while it is unlikely, it is still possible that Nancy Guthrie was not the intended target.

During a Fox News segment, the former lieutenant explained that in rare cases, organized criminals can hit the wrong address. This can happen when new residents move into a home previously linked to criminal disputes.

He stressed that this theory is not confirmed, but also said it cannot be fully ruled out at this stage.

Could This Be a Case of Mistaken Identity?

The ex-lieutenant explained that he handled many home invasion cases during his career. In some incidents, criminals entered the wrong home due to outdated information.

However, he added that Nancy Guthrie had lived in her home for a long time. This makes a cartel-related mistake less likely, but not impossible.

Tucson has previously seen cases of violent home invasions, which is why investigators are keeping all possibilities open.

Investigation Still Ongoing

So far, no prime suspect has been named. Authorities say they are following new leads, which has led to expanded searches at multiple locations connected to the Guthrie family.

The homes of Annie Guthrie and her husband Tommaso Cioni have been searched more than once. Law enforcement says this is part of standard procedure in missing person cases.

Earlier reports suggested Tommaso Cioni could be a person of interest. Officials later clarified that family members are routinely questioned, especially when they were among the last to see the missing person.

Ransom Notes Add More Complexity

The case became more serious after ransom notes were sent to media outlets. The first note demanded USD 4 million in Bitcoin. A second note later increased the demand to USD 6 million, with a deadline of February 9, 2026.

The FBI confirmed the notes are being investigated. However, they have not confirmed whether any payment was made or if direct contact occurred with the kidnappers.

Savannah Guthrie released video messages pleading for her mother’s safe return. She also confirmed that Nancy has heart issues and needs daily medication, raising serious concerns about her health.

What Happens Next?

Authorities say searches will continue through February 11, 2026, as new tips come in. The FBI has announced a USD 50,000 reward for information that leads to Nancy Guthrie’s recovery.

Investigators say all theories remain open, including mistaken targeting, personal motives, and organized crime.