like Nancy Guthriemother Savannah Guthriea set of “Today” programs is still missing, and an experienced private investigator shares his perspective on the case.
Bill Garcia, who has worked in this field for over 35 years, is well known in Southern California for solving some of the region’s toughest missing persons investigations.
In 2002, he discovered the place where the body of a young girl had been left after authorities searched for it for weeks to no avail. In another major case, a Loomis armored truck driver who disappeared was found with $3 million in cash. Garcia finds him staying at a luxury resort in Cabo San Lucas and spending money.
Focusing on the disappearance of a high-profile figure
“It’s become a really high-profile case,” Garcia told Border Report.
He said he has dealt with cases in the same area and believes he knows who might be responsible.
“This particular area of Arizona is a high traffic area for drugs and money,” he said. “It has deepened my belief that this is somehow linked to a money-making enterprise by people involved in the cartel.”
Surveillance video raises questions
Authorities released surveillance photos showing a person at Guthrie’s front door the night she disappeared. Garcia said the person’s behavior was distinctive.
“The person doesn’t seem to be very sophisticated, he’s doing things that a professional can’t do. For example, the way he approaches the camera… Why does he pick up some bushes because they don’t cover the camera effectively?”
He also pointed out the suspect’s clothing, backpack and wallet.
“Just the looks and mannerisms make me think he’s a low-level associate,” he told the outlet. “if Nancy I got to the front door and called this person, and I think there would probably be some sort of conflict after the camera was removed.
Read also: Nancy Guthrie’s case takes a dramatic turn; Investigators find new evidence in a suspicious video
The theory of what happened
Police said blood was found on the porch but none of it came out of the house. According to Border Report reports, Garcia believes she may have been forced to go back inside, where someone else was waiting for her.
“It had to be taken out the back.”
Some reports have suggested she may have been transferred to Mexico but Garcia disagrees. He said intense surveillance and law enforcement between Tucson and the border will make that difficult.
“They’re going to have to choose a location that’s safe and where they’re less likely to be caught red-handed — which is why I suspect it’s going to be somewhat north of Tucson in that hundred to 130 mile area between Tucson and outside of Phoenix and Mesa Arizona. To me, that would be a more logical place to look for Nancy.”
Garcia also told Border Report that he is not trying to join the investigation unless asked to do so but is open to helping.
“I would be happy to help,” he said. “Maybe we can put our theory into practice.”
Timeline of Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance
Nancy She was reported missing on Sunday, February 1, having last been seen at her home late on the night of January 31. Multiple media outlets reported that investigators believe a masked person wearing a hood, captured on a doorbell camera, kidnapped her during the early morning hours of February 1.
Authorities said the doorbell camera went off at 1:47 a.m. local time. A person was discovered at the property at 2:12 a.m., and again at 2:28 a.m. Nancy’s defibrillator was disconnected from the mobile app on her mobile phone.
