Nancy Guthrie Kidnapping: Experts Warn, Don't Pay! What Happens Next?!

As the Monday deadline fast approaches for the family of Nancy Guthrie – yes, including "Today" show host Savannah Guthrie – to pay a ransom in what authorities are calling a possible Kidnapping, experts are advising extreme caution. There's simply too much uncertainty swirling around this case to justify handing over any money, they say.

Nancy Guthrie Kidnapping: Experts Warn, Don't Pay!...

Savannah Guthrie and her siblings are, understandably, desperate for proof that their 84-year-old mother is even still alive. Law enforcement is working overtime, trying to determine whether the individuals making these demands are actually holding Nancy captive. This is crucial. You can't just hand money over to anyone who claims to have her.

The note sent to various media outlets – and importantly, not directly to the family – is definitely raising eyebrows. It claims Nancy was snatched from her Arizona home and demands Bitcoin by 5 p.m. PT. Law enforcement are treating the notes seriously, which they have to do, but haven't confirmed they're legitimate. That's the key word here: legitimate. It's a delicate dance between acknowledging the threat and not playing into the hands of potential scammers.

Over the weekend, Savannah and her siblings released their third video appeal, a heartfelt plea to whoever might be holding their mother. "We believe our mom is still out there," she said in the video. "We need your help. Law enforcement is working tirelessly, around the clock, trying to bring her home." It’s heartbreaking to watch, honestly. You can feel the family’s desperation.

Pima County Sheriff's Investigators have been all over the Guthrie property, examining everything from a rooftop camera to the septic tank (yikes). They even took items from the home of Nancy's daughter, Annie, where Nancy had dinner shortly before she vanished. It's a thorough investigation, but some experts are raising concerns about the initial handling of the scene.

And here's where it gets a little troubling. Investigators confirmed finding drops of blood on the porch, matching Nancy’s DNA. A propped-open door, a disconnected doorbell camera... it all paints a disturbing picture. Her cellphone, Apple Watch (disconnected from her pacemaker!), and critical heart medication were all left behind. That last bit is particularly worrying, given her age and health needs.

"They're still identifying stuff at the house. I mean, the house should have been completely gone through by an evidence response team," one expert pointed out. "You would think that stuff would have been done during the original search." This suggests that potential evidence might have been overlooked or compromised – a real problem in a case like this.

The expert went on to suggest that crucial electronic evidence, like security footage, might be getting overwritten, a common issue if protocols weren't followed immediately. "At this point, it would be something where you would say we need a picture, we need a video, we need to hear her voice right now," the expert stated. Proof of life, plain and simple.

Monday is being called a "big day" in the investigation, and rightfully so. The pressure is on. "What they will do is they will keep trying to communicate or investigate until that time and through that time, because you don't want that to be the deadline," the expert said. The goal isn't to give in to the demands, but to use the deadline as a tool to keep the lines of communication open and, hopefully, find Nancy safe and sound.