Ex‑FBI Agent Highlights Polygraph Gaps as FBI Arrests Impostor in Guthrie Kidnapping
Updated (6 articles)
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Image: NewsweekCATALINA, ARIZONA – FEBRUARY 3: A sign is posted at the house of Nancy Guthrie, NBC host Savannah Guthrie’s mother, on February 3, 2026 in Catalina, Arizona.The search continues in the Tucson area for Nancy Guthrie, after she was reported missing on February 1. (Photo by Jan Sonnenmair/Getty Images) Source Full size -
Image: NewsweekCATALINA, ARIZONA – FEBRUARY 3: A sign is posted at the house of Nancy Guthrie, NBC host Savannah Guthrie’s mother, on February 3, 2026 in Catalina, Arizona.The search continues in the Tucson area for Nancy Guthrie, after she was reported missing on February 1. (Photo by Jan Sonnenmair/Getty Images) Source Full size
Detailed Timeline Confirms Narrow Abduction Window Nancy Guthrie left her Catalina Foothills home at 5:32 p.m. on Jan 31 and was dropped off at 9:48 p.m.; the garage door closed at 9:50 p.m., the doorbell camera stopped recording at 1:47 a.m., motion was logged at 2:12 a.m. without video, and her pacemaker lost connection at 2:28 a.m. [1][2][4][5][6]
Forensic Evidence Shows Violence but No Forced Entry Blood matching Guthrie was found on the front porch, confirming a violent event, yet investigators could not verify reports of forced entry and have identified no suspect or person of interest despite multi‑agency involvement. [1][2][3][5]
Ransom Notes Trigger Arrest of Impostor While Authenticity Remains Unclear Several bitcoin‑based ransom notes arrived, one of which was deemed fake and led to the arrest of a California man; other notes set deadlines but have not produced further contact, and the FBI continues to assess their credibility. [1][2][5]
Law‑Enforcement Mobilizes Rewards and Federal Support The FBI posted a $50,000 reward for information, while the sheriff also offered up to $2,500 for leads; President Trump announced that all federal agencies would assist the family, and Sheriff Nanos deliberately avoided narrowing the timeline to keep tip flow active. [1][2][4][6]
Ex‑FBI Agent Calls Out Polygraph Gaps and Leak Risks Harry Trombitas warned that investigators have yet to identify who volunteered for, passed, refused, or failed a polygraph in the case, and cautioned that premature suspect disclosures could endanger the victim and compromise the investigation. [1][3]
Sources
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1.
Newsweek: Ex‑FBI Agent Raises Four Unanswered Questions as Nancy Guthrie Search Continues: Highlights four polygraph mysteries, details the precise timeline, notes the FBI reward and Trump’s pledge, and reports an arrest tied to a fraudulent ransom note.
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2.
CNN: Nancy Guthrie disappearance: timeline, evidence and ransom‑note saga: Provides a step‑by‑step timeline, describes minimal blood evidence, outlines multiple ransom notes and the California impostor arrest, and emphasizes the $50,000 reward.
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3.
WBNS (Columbus, OH): Former FBI Agent Warns of Information Leaks as Nancy Guthrie Case Remains Unsolved: Focuses on leak concerns, confirms blood evidence, discusses the 45‑minute window, and notes the lack of suspects despite extensive searches.
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4.
Newsweek: Sheriff clarifies car processing amid Nancy Guthrie disappearance investigation: Explains standard processing of a vehicle found on the property, reiterates the timeline, mentions the impostor ransom arrest, and cites the $50,000 reward and daughter’s public plea.
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5.
King5 (Seattle, WA): Nancy Guthrie’s Blood Confirmed, Kidnapping Timeline Revealed as Search Intensifies: Confirms DNA‑verified blood, details the early‑Sunday abduction window, discusses genuine and fake ransom notes, and notes Savannah Guthrie’s video appeal and missed Olympic duties.
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6.
Newsweek: Sheriff Links Pacemaker Disconnect to Nancy Guthrie Disappearance: Highlights the pacemaker loss at 2 a.m., the sheriff’s tip‑keeping strategy, mentions an unverified ransom note, and lists reward options up to $2,500.
Videos (1)
Timeline
Jan 31, 2026 – Nancy Guthrie leaves her Catalina Foothills home at 5:32 p.m. in an Uber, a ride confirmed by interior video from the driver and Sheriff Chris Nanos ([1],[2],[3],[6]).
Jan 31, 2026 – She is dropped off at her daughter’s house at 9:48 p.m.; the garage door closes at 9:50 p.m., marking her return ([1],[2],[3],[6]).
Feb 1, 2026 (1:47 a.m.) – The doorbell camera goes offline, and a motion sensor logs activity at 2:12 a.m. without video, indicating a possible intrusion ([1],[4],[6]).
Feb 1, 2026 (2:28 a.m.) – Nancy’s pacemaker app loses connection to her iPhone, suggesting she is no longer in the house ([1],[4],[6]).
Feb 1, 2026 (11:56 a.m.) – Her family discovers she is missing, files a missing‑person report at 12:03 p.m., and police arrive by 12:15 p.m. to begin a search ([1]).
Feb 1, 2026 (afternoon) – Investigators find minimal blood on the front porch that matches Nancy, confirming violence occurred ([1],[5]).
Feb 1, 2026 (late day) – Multiple bitcoin ransom notes arrive, setting deadlines of “5 p.m. Thursday and the following Monday,” but no further contact follows ([1]).
Feb 1, 2026 – A California man is arrested for submitting a false ransom demand, an “imposter” note unrelated to the case ([1],[3]).
Feb 3, 2026 – Sheriff Chris Nanos links the pacemaker disconnect to the disappearance, says “I really don’t want to get into narrowing down the time” to keep tips flowing, and notes crime‑scene evidence shows she did not leave voluntarily ([4]).
Feb 3, 2026 – Law enforcement offers a reward of up to $2,500 for information leading to arrests ([4]).
Feb 5, 2026 – A vehicle found at the home is removed and processed under a search warrant; the sheriff does not disclose the owner ([3]).
Feb 5, 2026 – The case is classified as a criminal investigation with FBI assistance; no suspect or person of interest is identified ([3]).
Feb 5, 2026 – The FBI announces a $50,000 reward and posts a wanted‑kidnap notice; Savannah Guthrie posts an Instagram video pleading for proof of life ([3],[6]).
Feb 5, 2026 – Forensic analysis confirms the porch blood belongs to Nancy, solidifying the kidnapping timeline ([6]).
Feb 5, 2026 – Savannah Guthrie announces she will miss the 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony to focus on the investigation ([6]).
Feb 6, 2026 – Former FBI agent Jennifer Coffindaffer tweets four unanswered polygraph questions, asking “who volunteered for, passed, refused, or failed a polygraph?” ([2]).
Feb 6, 2026 – Former FBI agent Harry Trombitas warns “releasing suspect information could alert abductors and endanger the victim” ([5]).
Feb 6, 2026 – Former President Donald J. Trump posts on Truth Social, “I am directing all federal law‑enforcement agencies to assist the Guthrie family immediately,” pledging federal resources ([2]).
Feb 6, 2026 – The FBI reposts the wanted‑kidnap notice and reiterates the $50,000 reward for information ([2]).
External resources (16 links)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29T8xmrWyvk (cited 1 times)
- https://www.fbi.gov/wanted/kidnap/nancy-guthrie/@@download.pdf (cited 1 times)
- https://www.foxnews.com/video/6388720657112 (cited 1 times)
- https://www.kold.com/2026/02/03/we-gotta-find-her-dna-samples-taken-nancy-guthries-home-belong-her-pcsd-says/ (cited 1 times)
- https://x.com/PimaSheriff/status/2019065207457489020 (cited 2 times)
- https://t.co/e1cc3zh8hH (cited 1 times)
- https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/116015545880326010 (cited 1 times)
- https://www.instagram.com/p/DUR7WDckeYN/ (cited 1 times)
- https://www.instagram.com/reels/DUW3mpqD8qd/ (cited 1 times)
- https://www.instagram.com/reels/DUZULrXkqXb/ (cited 1 times)
- https://x.com/PimaSheriff/status/2019216015121596568 (cited 1 times)
- https://x.com/hashtag/FBI?src=hashtag_click (cited 1 times)
- https://x.com/hashtag/NancyGuthrie?src=hashtag_click (cited 1 times)