🚨 BOMBSHELL DROP: FBI HOSTAGE NEGOTIATION TEAM ACTIVATED + SUSPECT CLUES EMERGE in Nancy Guthrie abduction case! OMG this just escalated BIG time! 😱🔥

Fresh reports: The FBI is ramping up with a dedicated task force including HOSTAGE NEGOTIATION experts, tech/digital specialists, and more agents flooding Tucson. They’re analyzing those creepy ransom notes (demanding crypto, sent to media like TMZ and local stations) — some with details only the real kidnappers would know?

Ex-hostage negotiator Wallace Zeins drops a bombshell: “More than one person involved” — Nancy (84, 150lbs, limited mobility, can’t walk/run) was likely taken by multiple suspects, possibly tech-savvy given the crypto demand and how they disabled cameras at 12:48 a.m.

This is no longer just a missing person — it’s full kidnapping protocol. Multiple perps? Ransom real or hoax? Insider or targeted hit? 👇

Full details:

The FBI has significantly bolstered its presence in the investigation into the disappearance of 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie, mother of NBC “Today” show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, by deploying additional personnel including hostage negotiation specialists, amid reports of suspicious ransom notes and expert analysis suggesting multiple perpetrators may be involved.

The Pima County Sheriff’s Department continues to lead the case, classified as an abduction, with federal agents providing support in digital forensics, behavioral analysis, and negotiation protocols. Sources tell ABC News the FBI is establishing a task force featuring experts in hostage negotiation, data storage systems, networks, and secure digital devices. A supervisor is overseeing the effort to coordinate with local law enforcement.

The escalation follows discovery of multiple alleged ransom communications sent to media outlets, including TMZ and at least two Arizona television stations. One note, reportedly received by a local CBS affiliate and forwarded to authorities, demanded cryptocurrency payment and included specific details about the home or Nancy’s condition to establish credibility. Investigators are examining whether these are legitimate or hoaxes, with no public confirmation of authenticity or contact from captors.

Former NYPD hostage negotiator Wallace Zeins, speaking on CNN, analyzed the circumstances and ransom demands, concluding the abduction likely involved more than one person. “She’s 150 pounds, 5 feet 5, waking up in the middle of the night, not in the best of health — can’t walk or run, so I would think there’s more than one person involved in this particular crime,” Zeins said. He noted the cryptocurrency request suggests tech-savvy individuals, and electronic surveillance could trace origins if the note was digitally created.

The timeline remains centered on the overnight hours of January 31 into February 1, 2026. Nancy was dropped off at her Catalina Foothills home around 9:45 p.m. on January 31 after family dinner. Cameras disabled precisely at 12:48 a.m., creating a blackout; blood trails appeared by 12:49 a.m. on a neighboring angle; and the home was empty by 12:56 a.m. Signs of forced entry, smashed Nest cameras, and a missing Ring doorbell indicate premeditation.

No suspect or person of interest has been publicly identified, per repeated statements from Sheriff Chris Nanos. He has urged the public to avoid spreading unverified claims, including earlier media speculation about family members like son-in-law Tommaso Cioni, who drove Nancy home that night. The Sheriff’s Department has described family cooperation as full and ongoing.

FBI agents were observed re-taping Nancy’s home and visiting daughter Annie Guthrie’s residence for further questioning, though officials have not linked these actions to specific leads. Increased activity, including K-9 teams and Border Patrol assistance, has continued, with searches covering desert foothills using drones, helicopters, and volunteers.

Savannah Guthrie posted an emotional Instagram video Wednesday evening, flanked by siblings Annie and Camron, pleading directly to any captors: “We need to know without a doubt that she’s alive and that you have her.” The family emphasized readiness to communicate and provide proof of life before any negotiation, a standard step in hostage cases to verify the victim’s status. Former FBI deputy director Andrew McCabe noted on CNN the plea may aim to establish direct contact if no legitimate channel exists.

Nancy requires daily heart medications and has mobility limitations, heightening urgency. Her pacemaker last synced around 2 a.m. on February 1, potentially offering timeline data. Blood evidence—some confirmed as hers—suggests a struggle, though full DNA results are pending.

Expert opinions vary on motive. Former FBI profiler Bryanna Fox suggested it was unlikely random, possibly targeted due to Nancy’s profile or family connections, though Sheriff Nanos has stated no evidence indicates targeting at this stage. Theories include ransom for perceived wealth, personal grudge, or leveraging Savannah’s national platform—though officials caution nothing is confirmed.

The case has drawn widespread attention, with cable news panels featuring former agents debating the ransom notes’ legitimacy and multiple-perp scenario. Zeins highlighted the unusual nature of sending notes to media rather than direct family contact, potentially a tactic to pressure public response or obscure true demands.

As the investigation enters its fifth day, the FBI’s negotiation expertise signals preparation for potential hostage communication, even without confirmed contact. Authorities maintain hope Nancy is alive, urging tips via the Sheriff’s line (520-351-4900), particularly any surveillance footage or unusual activity from the critical overnight window.

The deployment of specialized teams underscores the case’s complexity: a vulnerable elderly woman taken from a secure home in a low-crime area, with deliberate surveillance compromise and now ransom elements. For the Guthrie family and investigators, the priority remains proof of life and safe return amid mounting clues and federal resources.