Nancy Guthrie‘s disappearance has prompted growing concern as investigators work to determine whether her abduction was financially motivated or tied to her famous daughter, Savannah Guthrie.

While an alleged ransom note demands millions in cryptocurrency, a former CIA and FBI official believes the crime may stem from fixation or resentment linked to the TV personality’s visibility.

As more troubling details emerge, the case of Savannah Guthrie’s mom’s disappearance is being increasingly viewed as a deliberate, targeted act rather than a random crime.

According to former CIA officer and FBI special agent Tracy Walder, Nancy Guthrie’s abduction may be driven more by her daughter Savannah Guthrie’s public profile than by financial motives, despite an alleged ransom note demanding millions in cryptocurrency.

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Speaking to Page Six, Walder stated that while Savannah’s earnings as a “Today” show anchor are largely public knowledge, far wealthier individuals exist.

“I am not convinced it’s fully about money,” she said. Instead, Walder suggested the abduction could be rooted in either an unhealthy fixation on Savannah or resentment tied to her work as a journalist.

“I, in my gut, feel like this is someone that either had some kind of obsession with Savannah because of how high profile she is, and this was a way to potentially get to her. Or this is a person that has some kind of beef with Savannah because of whatever story she covered or whoever she interviewed,” Walder continued. “I think you can kind of go two different ways. Someone who had a full obsession with her, or someone that was upset with her.”

Walder further noted that Savannah’s visibility may have made her family a target in ways they never anticipated.

“Savannah is such a public person,” the ex-FBI agent said. “I don’t think she would have ever thought something like this could happen, but I think it’s a reminder to us that we need to make sure [personal information] stays private.”

Walder believes the circumstances surrounding Nancy’s disappearance point to planning rather than chance.

She previously suggested Nancy may have been “stalked for some time,” noting the perpetrator’s apparent familiarity with the home and its security systems.

Based on the timeline released by authorities, Walder estimated the individual may have spent up to 45 minutes at the property.

“There’s no way this is a robbery gone wrong,” she said. “You’re not going to bring the person with you. There’s no way this is random.”

As investigators assess motive, authorities have revealed new details about the case timeline.

Nancy, 84, was reported missing on Sunday, February 1, after failing to attend church.

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos later confirmed that her doorbell camera went offline at approximately 1:47 a.m., and investigators believe she was taken from her home while asleep.

Investigators are now focused on a troubling gap in the surveillance timeline. Although the camera went offline shortly before 2 a.m., motion was still recorded at 2:12 a.m., leaving approximately 20 minutes unaccounted for.

NBC News law enforcement analyst Tom Winter suggested the disruption may have been intentional.

According to Winter, the person responsible may have removed the camera as a way to “test” whether authorities would respond immediately, returning to the property only after determining it was safe to do so.

He cautioned, however, that details about which camera detected the later motion remain unclear.

During a Thursday press conference, Sheriff Nanos said authorities are treating the case as an active abduction and are pursuing all leads.

He also confirmed that the blood found outside the home belonged to Nancy, indicating she was harmed during the incident.

Federal officials have since intensified their involvement. FBI Phoenix Special Agent in Charge Heith Janke disclosed that an alleged ransom note referenced specific items linked to Nancy, including an Apple Watch and a floodlight near her home.

TMZ founder Harvey Levin, whose outlet received the letters, said it also suggested a limited geographic area around Tucson, though he emphasized that the email’s origin could not be traced.

“There is a radius around Tucson, [Ariz.], that they kind of disclose in this demand letter,” Levin noted. “There are real reasons, based on what’s written there, that I believe that this person is in the radius of the Tucson area. Authorities … have a radius, and that’s something.”

According to the LA Times, the alleged ransom note has further intensified concern. Sources familiar with the letters described them as “carefully crafted” and containing details not previously made public.

The message reportedly outlines two deadlines, one on February 5 at 5 p.m. and a second on Monday, with unspecified consequences if demands are not met.

As reported by The Blast, Levin, who reviewed one of three identical letters, said the upcoming “Monday deadline is far more consequential” and confirmed the bitcoin address listed was valid.

The note reportedly opens by stating that Nancy is fine but “scared” and urges that all communication remain anonymous.