The disappearance of Savannah Guthrie’s mother may be linked to a violent form of a cryptocurrency-related crime known as a “wrench attack,” according to former FBI agent Jennifer Coffindaffer.
Nancy Guthrie, 84, disappeared from her home near Tucson, Arizona, in the early hours of February 1. Coffindaffer said the circumstances resemble a growing criminal tactic in which victims are physically threatened or abducted for access to cryptocurrency assets.
Authorities have said they believe Guthrie was taken against her will, though investigators have not publicly identified a suspect or announced any arrests.
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos has said investigators believe they know the motive, but have not disclosed further details.
Link Between Scottsdale Home Invasion
Coffindaffer has previously suggested a link between Guthrie’s case and an alleged home invasion that took place in Scottsdale, Arizona, the day before Guthrie disappeared that was reportedly tied to a plot to steal millions of dollars in cryptocurrency.
“I have been speaking about a wrench attack that took place literally about 90 minutes North of Nancy’s house the day before Nancy was attacked since early March,” Coffindaffer wrote on X on Tuesday.
“A wrench attack checks a lot of boxes in terms of Nancy’s case. I have been concerned that this is a likely possibility for months.”
In an another post, she explained that the targets of such attacks are either individuals with cryptocurrency wealth or related to someone with such wealth.
What Is a ‘Wrench Attack’?
So-called “wrench attacks” refers to a situation where physical force or intimidation is used to force a victim to surrender access to their cryptocurrency holdings, according to crypto tracing firm TRM Labs.
They are named after the hypothetical scenario where an assailant uses a wrench to coerce someone into revealing their crypto keys.
Such attacks have increased all over the world in recent years.
Crypto security firm CertiK recorded 34 verified incidents took place globally in the first four months of 2026, a 41 percent increase from the same period last year.
The estimated losses over the four-month period reached roughly $101 million.
The company projected the year could end with about 130 incidents—a record high—and several hundred million dollars in losses.
Last year, two American crypto investors were arrested and charged in connection with the kidnapping of a man who told police they tortured him for weeks to get his Bitcoin password.
In France, there have been several kidnappings of wealthy cryptocurrency holders and their relatives in ransom plots.
In one notable case, David Balland, the co-founder of French crypto-wallet firm Ledger, and his wife were kidnapped from their home. The attackers cut off one of Balland’s fingers while demanding a €10 million ($11.2 million) ransom. Both were later rescued and several suspects were arrested.
Why Are ‘Wrench Attacks’ on the Rise?
According to TRM Labs, such attacks are on the rise for several reasons, including that perpetrators believe they can get away with cryptocurrency theft because transactions are hard to trace.
Those who flaunt their cryptocurrency wealth on social media or in public also draw attention to themselves as targets, and the ease with which personal information can be gathered online has made it easier for attackers to identify and track potential victims.
How Long Has Nancy Guthrie Been Missing?
Nancy Guthrie was last seen at her home in the Catalina Foothills neighborhood of Tucson, Arizona, on January 31 and reported missing the following day. Authorities believe she was kidnapped and said drops of her blood were found on the front porch.
Her disappearance has prompted a multiagency search involving local law enforcement and the FBI. In February, the FBI released surveillance footage from a doorbell camera, showing a masked man, whom they called a suspect, outside Nancy Guthrie’s front door on the night she disappeared.
Since then, investigators have neither identified a suspect nor provided details of any significant breakthroughs in the case.
What Happens Next
The investigation into Guthrie’s disappearance remains ongoing. Anyone with information is urged to contact 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324), 520-351-4900 or 88-CRIME or visit tips.fbi.gov.
