According to reports, the FBI’s elite Hostage Rescue Team (HRT) is in Tucson, Arizona to assist in the Nancy Guthrie kidnapping case. HRT is assisting the Pima County Sheriff’s Office in the investigation.
An investigator canvasses Annie Guthrie’s neighborhood after Nancy Guthrie goes missing. (Reuters)This comes after reports of the sheriff’s department mobilizing SWAT vehicles and other personnel to assist in the matter. HRT is the FBI’s equivalent of SWAT and is a highly trained team geared toward tactical operations.
Guthrie, 84, was reported missing on February 1 and authorities believe she was abducted from her home the night before. The FBI, today, released footage and photos, showing potential subjects. Since then, there have been reports of activity on the Bitcoin account referenced in the alleged ransom note sent in Guthrie’s case. A manhunt has also been launched and has spread to the New Mexico border, according to police scanners.
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Although authorities have not yet named suspects or persons of interest, the FBI and other law enforcement agents are said to have been swooping around daughter Annie Guthrie. Annie had dinner with her mother on the night of her disappearance. Her husband, Tommaso Cioni, then dropped Guthrie off at his home, which is said to be nearby. According to reports, it was probably the last person he saw before he was taken.
Among the many movements in the Guthrie case, one expert weighed in on why HRT was called in Tucson. Retired FBI Special Agent Jennifer Koffinfer shares her thoughts on X.
What experts say about the presence of HRT”SWAT 15 years and trained with Hostage Rescue Team operators. SWAT and HRT stand ready regarding Nancy Guthrie kidnapping,” Coffindaffer wrote on the social media platform.
Hinting at the upcoming move in the case, the expert added “I can tell you that with HRT as an advanced team operator with so many operations, these guys are in no position to do anything.”
He expressed hope that Guthrie might survive. HRT and SWAT often deal with sensitive hostage situations. “My God! Is it possible that she’s alive like Savannah Guthrie said in her last plea and they’re being honored in the position of kidnapper and Nancy?”
All eyes remain on investigators’ progress as they warn that time is of the essence given Guthrie’s need to take his daily medication. According to reports, the woman has cardiac problems, high blood pressure and uses a pacemaker.
