Apple Watch Aids in Nancy Guthrie Abduction Investigation Timeline

Pima County authorities are leveraging data from an Apple Watch to narrow down the timeframe of Nancy Guthrie’s abduction, the 84-year-old mother of NBC Today co-anchor Savannah Guthrie. The elderly woman was taken from her Tucson residence over the weekend, with digital forensics playing a crucial role in the investigation, as per NBC News.

Guthrie went missing from her Tucson home between the evening of Saturday, February 1, and the early morning hours of Sunday, February 2. Law enforcement now considers the case as a suspected abduction, ruling out voluntary disappearance based on evidence.

Savannah Guthrie, a veteran NBC News journalist and co-anchor of the Today show, has temporarily stepped away from her on-air responsibilities while authorities delve into the incident. She has appealed to the public for prayers and any information regarding the abduction.

Reports indicate that Guthrie’s Apple Watch and iPhone ceased communication with her implanted pacemaker around 2 a.m. on February 2. Both devices were found inside her residence when deputies conducted a search later that Sunday afternoon.

Investigators believe Guthrie arrived home around 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, February 1, and removed her Apple Watch later that evening. The device continued to record pacemaker data even after being detached from Guthrie’s wrist.

Although the reason for the interruption in pacemaker data syncing with the wearable remains undisclosed, authorities confirm that the data collected by the Apple Watch has been instrumental in pinpointing the time of Guthrie’s disappearance, serving as a crucial forensic timestamp.

Evidence suggests that Guthrie was abducted between late Saturday and early Sunday, following the discovery of blood and signs of forced entry at the scene, prompting the classification of the area as a crime scene. Surveillance footage, forensic scrutiny, and digital evidence from Guthrie’s Apple Watch and other devices are being utilized by the police.

The Apple Watch, renowned for monitoring heart rate and sleep patterns, is proving valuable in gathering data from third-party medical devices like pacemakers. The disruption in Bluetooth synchronization between the implanted device and Guthrie’s Apple Watch and iPhone signifies the precise moment of separation between the victim and her electronic devices.

Authorities suggest that the presence of blood at the scene indicates potential injuries sustained by Guthrie during the abduction, although the nature of these injuries remains undisclosed as part of standard investigative protocol.

Law enforcement is probing into messages sent to several news outlets, purporting to be ransom demands related to Guthrie’s abduction. Some of these emails claim responsibility for the incident and demand a ransom, often containing personal details about the victim.

Verification efforts are underway to ascertain the authenticity of these messages and determine if multiple parties are involved in the abduction. Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos emphasizes the focus on locating Guthrie and identifying the responsible parties, cautioning against baseless accusations given the absence of identified suspects or persons of interest.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and US Customs Border and Protection have joined local authorities in the investigation, collaborating with homicide investigators and search-and-rescue teams.

In response to unverified ransom demands, Savannah Guthrie has publicly appealed for ‘proof of life’, expressing gratitude for the public support and urging individuals with relevant information to contact the authorities. Anyone possessing information pertaining to the abduction is encouraged to reach out to the Pima County Sheriff’s Department at 520-351-4900 or submit tips through 88-CRIME (520-882-7463).