The sheriff leading the investigation into the mysterious disappearance of 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie has admitted he is deliberately holding back key details from the public as the hunt for answers intensifies.
Nancy wasabducted from her $1 million home in Tucson, Arizona, more than six weeks ago in circumstances that have baffled investigators and shaken the local community. Despite officers working around-the-clock,there have been no notable arrests.
As the search drags on, the grim reality is beginning to set in for those closest to her. Even family members, including Today show host Savannah Guthrie, have acknowledged there is a possibility Nancy "may already be gone." It comes after achilling new theory emerged on how Nancy Guthrie was sickeningly taken from her home.
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Authorities believe the kidnap may not have been random, stating several elements around the case suggest the disappearance could have been carefully planned. Investigators are examining everything from a possible targeted motive to potential technological interference on the night Nancy vanished.
In an interview with NBC News, Chris Nanos revealed detectives believe they have a strong sense of what may have happened but insisted that sharing the theory publicly could jeopardize the case.
During a probing exchange with NBC reporter Liz Kreutz, the sheriff acknowledged the chilling possibility that whoever is responsible could still pose a danger. "Do you think that this suspect could strike again, whoever did this?" Kreutz asked.
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Nanos replied, "Well, absolutely, we believe we know why he did this, and we believe that it was targeted. We're not 100% sure of that, and so it'd be silly to tell people, yeah, don't worry about it. You're not his target. Don't think for a minute that because it happened to the Guthrie family, you're safe. You know, keep, keep your wits about you."
The warning has heightened concern in the community as investigators continue combing through evidence from the night Nancy disappeared. Pressed further on whether detectives had uncovered a motive, Kreutz asked if developments in the investigation had provided clarity about why someone might have targeted Nancy.
Nanos responded, "I think from day one, we had some strong beliefs about what happened, and those beliefs haven't diminished." However, when asked if the incident could have been a burglary that spiraled out of control, the sheriff refused to speculate.
"Do you believe it was a burglary gone wrong?" Kreutz asked. "I'm not going to get into those theories. We have our beliefs. Everybody else has theirs," Nanos said.
Nanos confirmed investigators are intentionally withholding their main theory and other details, saying doing so is necessary to protect the integrity of the case.
Behind the scenes, detectives are exploring whether internet or electrical disruptions occurred at the Guthrie home when Nancy vanished, including the possibility a Wi-Fi jammer disabled connectivity or security systems.
The sheriff also confirmed forensic evidence recovered inside the property, including "mixed DNA," could still prove crucial in identifying a suspect. Despite the lack of arrests, authorities remain hopeful the genetic evidence could eventually lead them to the person responsible.
Meanwhile, Nancy's family have dramatically increased the reward for information, offering $1 million for details leading to her whereabouts on top of the $200,000 already pledged by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and additional funds from the Pima County Attorney's Office reward program.
It comes afterNancy Guthrie's neighbor issued a chilling eight-word description of the suspected kidnapper.