The ongoing investigation by local and federal agencies has yielded no significant breakthroughs despite numerous tips. A $100,000 reward has been offered for information.
As Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance case drags on for over one-and-a-half months now, a pioneer in FBI’s criminal profiling techniques has stated that the real motive behind the kidnapping maybe fuelled by personal motives. Nancy Guthrie, 84, was reported missing from her home in Tucson on February 1, 2026 with investigators later revealing that she was kidnapped from her house.
Surveillance footage released by police shows a masked person approaching the front door of her home shortly before she disappeared.
Speaking about the case on the “Surviving the Survivor” podcast, criminologist Ann Burgess said the behaviour seen in the video suggests the suspect may have had a specific reason for targeting the victim.
“It doesn’t appear to be random behaviour,” she said. “The individual seems to have a purpose for being there.”
Dr Burgess is widely known for her role in developing modern criminal profiling methods. Her research in the late 1970s contributed to the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Behavioural Science Unit, which helped establish techniques for analysing violent offenders.
Working with former FBI agents Robert Ressler and John Douglas, she conducted interviews with convicted killers and sexual offenders to better understand how perpetrators choose victims and carry out attacks.
Their work later contributed to the creation of the FBI’s National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime, which assists in complex criminal investigations.
In the case of Ms Guthrie, Dr Burgess said the suspect’s actions outside the house could indicate they expected the victim to answer the door willingly.
“If someone intends to break into a home, there are simpler methods,” she said, adding that the person’s behaviour suggested they may have wanted the occupant to respond directly.
Such details can be important in behavioural analysis, as they may indicate whether a suspect knew the victim, understood their routine or had a grievance.
Dr Burgess also pointed to the importance of “victimology” — the study of a victim’s life, relationships and habits — which can sometimes reveal why a particular individual was targeted.
“I think this is much more of a personal kind of a crime, that there is some grievance out there that is playing its… trying to play itself out,” she said.
She added that investigators may consider who would be most affected by the disappearance.
“Who’s this going to affect the most? You have to ask those kinds of questions,” she said.
Dr Burgess noted that nothing in Ms Guthrie’s background immediately suggested a reason she might have been singled out, but suggested the public profile of her daughter could potentially be relevant.
Her daughter is television journalist Savannah Guthrie.
Authorities have not publicly identified a suspect. However, local officials have indicated the crime does not appear to have been random.
The investigation, involving local police and federal authorities, is ongoing. Officials have released images of the masked individual and urged anyone with information to come forward.
The FBI has also announced a reward of $100,000 (£79,000) for information that leads to Ms Guthrie’s recovery or the arrest of the person responsible.
