Nancy Guthrie Update: New Theory Emerges Behind Abduction as Expert Weighs In
A new theory has emerged in the abduction of Today co-anchor Savannah Guthrie's mother, Nancy Guthrie, and an expert just weighed in on the possibility of the 84-year-old's abduction being a "wrench attack."
On Thursday, May 21, Lisa J. Miller-a retired detective and Colorado Attorney General's Office law enforcement executive-spoke with Fox News Digital about the theory. Reporter Michael Ruiz summarized the conversation in a post shared on X.
Traditionally, a wrench attack involves a "mastermind" criminal identifying a target remotely from a computer and then recruiting a local "thug" to carry out violence against them, Miller explained. The mastermind remotely plans out the attack and pays the local guy a portion of the money to torture information out of the victim (or, they kidnap a relative) to extort money.
Miller noted that the term "wrench attack" came from a 2009 web comic about a hacker buying a $5 wrench to beat someone to obtain a password.
"The street level thug theory fits with what we're seeing in the Guthrie case, because when the FBI released the pictures of this porch guy, and I've referred to him from the beginning as 'porch monster,' I mean, the guy comes across as a bit of a doofus," Miller told Fox News Digital. "Look at his getup, look at how he carries his firearm… Yet, there's some very sophisticated elements to this case that again falls in line with what we see in a traditional wrench attack."
🚨🔎🚨 A NEW theory in the unsolved suspected abduction of Nancy Guthrie is a so-called wrench attack.
— Michael Ruiz (@mikerreports) May 21, 2026
The emerging trend is a combination of a "mastermind" plotter sitting at a computer, probably overseas, and street-level thugs hired locally to carry out the abduction and… pic.twitter.com/nEsOUbvfbf
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Miller also pointed to Savanah's "sizable income," between her Today salary, bonuses, book deals, and more, as the motivation.
She continued, "Somehow, he came across Savannah Guthrie. Her mom was on television multiple times, on the Today show with Savannah-even, I think the latest was in 2025. So he sees a vulnerability... the vulnerability is an 84-year-old elderly woman living alone."
Additionally, she pointed out that the language Savannah used in the ransom videos indicated that the FBI "was taking these first notes seriously." Miller, ultimately, said she thinks there is still hope that someone will come forward with information.
A spokesperson for the Pima County Sheriff's Department told the outlet via email that it has not dealt with "wrench attack" crimes.
"The Pima County Sheriff's Department has not received any reports referencing ‘wrench attacks' in our community," the PCSD representative wrote. "The investigation into Nancy Guthrie's disappearance remains active and ongoing. When there is a significant update, it will be shared publicly."
As of writing, no suspect has been named in Nancy's case despite more than $1 million in reward money.
What do you think of the "wrench attack" theory?
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This story was originally published May 21, 2026 at 3:19 PM.