{"id":2281200,"date":"2026-02-13T22:39:19","date_gmt":"2026-02-13T22:39:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/?p=2281200"},"modified":"2026-02-13T22:39:19","modified_gmt":"2026-02-13T22:39:19","slug":"expert-breaks-down-suspects-spiral-after-pivotal-moment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/expert-breaks-down-suspects-spiral-after-pivotal-moment\/","title":{"rendered":"expert breaks down suspect&#8217;s spiral after &#8216;pivotal&#8217; moment"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div>\n<p>Nancy Guthrie\u2019s kidnapper is likely spiraling after <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/pagesix.com\/2026\/02\/10\/celebrity-news\/watch-disturbing-video-of-armed-nancy-guthrie-suspect-breaking-in\/\">video<\/a> and <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/pagesix.com\/2026\/02\/10\/celebrity-news\/photo-of-potential-subject-in-nancy-guthrie-kidnapping-released-by-cops\/\">photos<\/a> of the suspect <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/pagesix.com\/2026\/02\/04\/celebrity-news\/timeline-of-savannah-guthries-moms-disappearance\/\">breaking into her Tucson, Ariz., home on Feb. 1<\/a> were shared by the FBI.<\/p>\n<p>As the desperate search for \u201cToday\u201d show host Savannah Guthrie\u2019s 84-year-old mother approaches the two-week mark, Page Six spoke with Chip Massey, a retired FBI hostage negotiator and special agent, who described the release of videos and pictures of the suspect as a \u201cpivotal moment\u201d in the case.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe captor wanted this family\u2019s money, but what they got was America looking for them,\u201d Massey theorized. \u201cNow that your face is everywhere, your environment has to be very controlled, and that\u2019s a very hard thing to do.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><figcaption>Nancy Guthrie\u2019s kidnapper is likely spiraling after footage and photos of him breaking into her Tucson, Ariz., home on Feb. 1 were shared by the FBI, an expert told Page Six.  <span class=\"credit\">Courtesy NBC Universal<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><figcaption>The desperate search for \u201cToday\u201d show host Savannah Guthrie\u2019s 84-year-old mother is approaching the two-week mark. <span class=\"credit\">savannahguthrie\/Instagram<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<aside class=\"single__inline-module aligncenter wp-block-nypost-editor-primary-tag\">\n<\/aside>\n<p>Massey told us, adding that up until that point, the abductor had complete control of the situation.<\/p>\n<p>Not only does the perpetrator now have to ensure that his \u201ccomings and goings\u201d aren\u2019t being monitored, but he also has to care for his victim, who is \u201cmedically fragile,\u201d \u201cadvanced in age\u201d and was \u201cinjured\u201d when she was taken, as Nancy requires daily medication, and a trail of her blood was found just outside her front door.<\/p>\n<p>Massey noted that this person\u2019s \u201cworld was already small to begin with\u201d because their job is to \u201ccontrol another human being.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSo you\u2019re dealing with somebody who has medical needs for sure,\u201d the CEO and co-founder of the <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/convincingcompany.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Convincing Company<\/a> said. \u201cAnd our concern is: Is this captor set up to handle this? Are they equipped both mentally and emotionally? Because this thing, the longer it goes, there\u2019s so many emotional ups and downs, even for the captor.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><figcaption>Page Six spoke with Chip Massey, a retired FBI hostage negotiator and special agent, who described the release of those videos and pictures as a \u201cpivotal moment\u201d in the case. <span class=\"credit\">Facebook\/Nancy Guthrie<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><figcaption>\u201cThe captor wanted this family\u2019s money, but what they got was America looking for them,\u201d Massey explained. <span class=\"credit\">FBI<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Pointing to the publication of the images and clips, Massey theorized that \u201cwould\u2019ve created a lot of apprehension and stress and anxiety\u201d for the kidnapper, which can be a double-edged sword.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOn the one hand, it could produce some errors, and we want that. We want them to make mistakes,\u201d Massey told us, noting that the suspect\u2019s heightened emotions can also be \u201cbad\u201d because \u201cwe don\u2019t want them to do anything rash or that wouldn\u2019t be of advantage to Nancy\u2019s wellbeing.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>While he acknowledged that the length of time Nancy has been gone is \u201cexcruciating,\u201d he explained why it isn\u2019t necessarily \u201ca bad thing in terms of the negotiation process.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe want to do our best to establish that connection. We want to humanize Nancy as much as possible,\u201d he said, praising Savannah, 54, for <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/pagesix.com\/2026\/02\/12\/celebrity-news\/savannah-guthrie-shares-home-videos-of-mom-nancy-after-kidnapping\/\">posting home videos of her \u201clovely mom\u201d<\/a> amid her various public pleas for her safe return.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><figcaption>Massey said the suspect\u2019s \u201cworld was already small to begin with\u201d because their job is to \u201ccontrol another human being.\u201d <span class=\"credit\">FBI<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><figcaption>Based on the recently recovered Google Nest camera footage, investigators were able to determine the sex and general body proportions. <span class=\"credit\">FBI<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Massey went on to share how he is trained to metaphorically disarm an abductor in order to physically disarm them.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s realizing that you have to meet people where they are. This is somebody that is not afraid of violence. \u2026 But what you have to focus in on \u2014 as strange as this is \u2014 is the stress that they\u2019re dealing with right now,\u201d he pointed out.<\/p>\n<p>Massey applauded Savannah and her siblings \u2014 sister Annie Guthrie, 56, and brother Camron Guthrie, 61 \u2014 for speaking directly to the suspect in a few of their Instagram videos, letting him know that they want to \u201ccommunicate\u201d and \u201cwill pay.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSo what they\u2019re doing is they\u2019re telling that person, \u2018Hey, I\u2019m connecting with you.\u2019 You are absolutely gonna want to key in on the fact that the captor \u2014 again, as strange as this is \u2014 is dealing himself with the stresses and strains of this event. You\u2019re dealing with somebody who is holding the life of their mother in their hands,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><figcaption>Pointing to the publication of the images and clips, Massey theorized that \u201cwould\u2019ve created a lot of apprehension and stress and anxiety\u201d for the abductor, which can be a double-edged sword. <span class=\"credit\">FBI<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><figcaption>While it can prompt the perpetrator to make \u201cmistakes,\u201d it can also be \u201cbad\u201d because \u201cwe don\u2019t want them to do anything rash or that wouldn\u2019t be of advantage to Nancy\u2019s wellbeing.\u201d <span class=\"credit\">Instagram\/savannahguthrie<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>In spite of his actions, Massey emphasized that the perpetrator still has \u201cbasic universal human emotions and needs, so when you can hit those things that are universally connected \u2014 not that you\u2019re gonna agree in any way, shape or form with their lifestyle and what they\u2019ve decided to do \u2014 you\u2019re going to start to make end roads.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Massey made sure to add that the negotiation process is the same whether the victim is alive or dead. <\/p>\n<p>However, like the Guthrie family, he\u2019s operating on the belief that Nancy is alive.<\/p>\n<p>Though the suspect in the <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/pagesix.com\/2026\/02\/10\/celebrity-news\/rookie-nancy-guthrie-suspect-made-grave-error-on-night-of-kidnapping-expert\/\">recently recovered Google Nest camera footage<\/a> was fully disguised during the break-in, investigators <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/pagesix.com\/2026\/02\/12\/celebrity-news\/fbi-releases-description-of-nancy-guthrie-kidnapping-suspect-as-they-increase-reward-for-key-information-to-100k\/\">were able to determine the sex and general body proportions<\/a>, estimating that he\u2019s 5\u20199\u2033 or 5\u201910\u201d tall.<\/p>\n<p>Since her abduction, multiple ransom notes\u00a0have been sent to news organizations describing demands for a large bitcoin payment\u00a0by specific deadlines.<\/p>\n<p>On Tuesday, a small deposit <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/pagesix.com\/2026\/02\/11\/celebrity-news\/bitcoin-account-tied-to-nancy-guthries-ransom-note-suddenly-shows-activity\/\">was made into a bitcoin wallet related to the case<\/a>, which a cryptocurrency expert told Page Six <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/pagesix.com\/2026\/02\/11\/celebrity-news\/how-bitcoin-exchange-gave-authorities-control-over-nancy-guthries-kidnapper-crypto-expert\/\">was another moment the captor lost \u201ccontrol\u201d of the situation<\/a>, as the transaction is traceable.<\/p>\n<p>Nancy was last seen the night of Jan. 31 and was declared missing the next day. <\/p>\n<p>The reward for information about the case has been increased to $100,000.<\/p>\n<p>The FBI is working closely with the Pima County Sheriff\u2019s Department on the case.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><em> \u2018 The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n<p><em> \u2018 Some details of this article were extracted from the following source pagesix.com \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Nancy Guthrie\u2019s kidnapper is likely spiraling after video and photos of the suspect breaking into her Tucson, Ariz., home on Feb. 1 were shared by the FBI. As the desperate search for \u201cToday\u201d show host Savannah Guthrie\u2019s 84-year-old mother approaches the two-week mark, Page Six spoke with Chip Massey, a retired FBI hostage negotiator and [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2281201,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"jnews-multi-image_gallery":[],"jnews_single_post":[],"jnews_primary_category":[],"jnews_social_meta":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[25177],"tags":[30058,351942,30055,24003,25404,351221,351836,350134],"class_list":["post-2281200","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-celebrities","tag-celebrity-children","tag-celebrity-crimes","tag-celebrity-moms","tag-celebrity-news","tag-exclusive","tag-missing-persons","tag-savannah-guthrie","tag-today-show"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/expert-breaks-down-suspects-spiral-after-pivotal-moment.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2281200","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2281200"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2281200\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2281202,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2281200\/revisions\/2281202"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2281201"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2281200"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2281200"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2281200"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}