Nancy Guthrie kidnapping, Trump death penalty warning, Savannah Guthrie missing mother, Pima County Sheriff search, FBI investigation Nancy Guthrie
Trump said he would direct the Justice Department to pursue the death penalty if Nancy is harmed or killed, marking an unusual intervention from a former president in an active criminal investigation. (Photo: Social Media)
A dramatic turn in the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, mother of Savannah Guthrie, has drawn a rare public response from Donald Trump, who warned that anyone responsible for her possible kidnapping would face the “most severe” federal penalties, including the death penalty if she is not returned alive. The stark warning came in a brief interview with The Post as authorities continue their intense search for the 84-year-old, missing since February 1 from her Tucson, Arizona, home.
Trump said he would direct the Justice Department to pursue the death penalty if Nancy is harmed or killed, marking an unusual intervention from a former president in an active criminal investigation.
In his interview, Trump said anyone responsible must return her unharmed, warning they would confront “very, very severe, the most severe” federal consequences if Nancy is found dead. He confirmed that the Department of Justice could seek the death penalty in this case, a rare step that underscores the seriousness with which federal authorities are treating the matter.
Experts note that federal charges, including potential capital punishment, can apply when a crime crosses state lines or involves violations of federal law, choosing charges complex and dependent on the investigation’s findings.
Nancy Guthrie has been missing for more than two weeks. She was last seen by family at her home in the Catalina Foothills near Tucson on January 31, after being driven home by her son-in-law, and was reported missing the next day when she did not show up for a scheduled church service.
Authorities quickly treated her disappearance as a potential abduction, partly because security footage shows a masked figure tampering with her doorbell camera shortly after midnight, and her belongings, including her phone and wallet, remained in the house.
Sheriff Chris Nanos of the Pima County Sheriff’s Department stressed that the investigation is wide-ranging and that no suspects have been ruled out, including family members, although officials urge the public not to jump to premature conclusions.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has joined local law enforcement in the hunt for Nancy. Agents are using aerial searches, DNA testing of evidence recovered near her home, and released surveillance images to encourage public tips.
A DNA sample recovered from a glove found near the scene may match the gloves worn by a suspect seen on surveillance footage, and authorities expect to compare the print against national databases.
Investigators are also reviewing license plate camera data, interviewing neighbors, and reassessing possible leads. Despite these efforts, law enforcement has not publicly named any main suspect but continues to treat the matter as a high-priority missing person/kidnapping case.
Nancy Guthrie has been missing for more than two weeks. She was last seen by family at her home in the Catalina Foothills near Tucson on January 31, after being driven home by her son-in-law, and was reported missing the next day when she did not show up for a scheduled church service.
Authorities quickly treated her disappearance as a potential abduction, partly because security footage shows a masked figure tampering with her doorbell camera shortly after midnight, and her belongings, including her phone and wallet, remained in the house.
Sheriff Chris Nanos of the Pima County Sheriff’s Department stressed that the investigation is wide-ranging and that no suspects have been ruled out, including family members, although officials urge the public not to jump to premature conclusions.
Savannah Guthrie has repeatedly appealed for her mother’s safe return, sharing emotional messages on social media and urging anyone with information to step forward. “It’s never too late to do the right thing,” she said in a heartfelt video plea, emphasizing hope that her mother is alive and can be found.
At one point, reports of ransom demands circulated, though law enforcement has not confirmed that the demands were legitimate. A fraudulent ransom message led to the arrest of an unrelated suspect, underscoring the chaotic nature of public involvement and misinformation surrounding the case.
The sheriff has addressed speculation about family members, including Savannah’s brother-in-law, Tommaso Cioni, the last person seen with Nancy before her disappearance, but officials caution that there is no official suspect yet and emphasize that rumors should not cloud the investigation.
According to investigators, all possibilities remain open, and no definitive evidence ties any individual to Nancy’s disappearance. Authorities continue to appeal to the public for credible information that could lead to a breakthrough in the case.
The high-profile nature of the case, combined with Trump’s public warning and the FBI’s involvement, has kept national attention on the search for Nancy Guthrie. As the investigation continues, federal agents and local police are under pressure to find her safe return or determine what happened on the night she vanished.
