Elizabeth Smart Believes Nancy Guthrie Could Still Be Alive: Kidnapping Survivor Shares Surprising Theory

During a recent chat with CNN’s Erin Burnett that aired on May 5, the kidnapping survivor was asked if she believed Nancy might still be out there somewhere alive, just like she managed to survive her own ordeal years ago.

Her answer came without hesitation. Absolutely, Nancy could still be alive. Smart pointed out how there have been so many cases over the years where missing people turned up safe long after everyone had given up hope. We’re talking years and years in some situations. Of course the other possibility exists too, but until we know for sure, we have to keep searching. Either way, she deserves to come home.

More than three months have passed since Nancy vanished, and Smart, now 38, is speaking from hard earned experience. She was just 14 when a man took her from her bedroom in Salt Lake City back in 2002. For nine long months she endured terrible abuse every single day before authorities finally spotted her walking along a street in Utah and brought her back to her family.

Today she works as a strong advocate for sexual assault survivors and for families who have missing loved ones. She even shared more about her story than ever before in a Netflix documentary that came out earlier this year.

Nancy Guthrie is the mother of Today show co host Savannah Guthrie. The 84 year old was taken from her home in Tucson, Arizona on February 1 by a masked man in the middle of the night. No suspects have been named so far, and the investigation continues with help from the FBI.

Nancy’s blood was found on her front porch, and investigators recovered mixed DNA that has made things more complicated. The sheriff has said results could take weeks, months, or even longer.

Savannah took some time away from the show after her mom’s disappearance but returned in April with a message of strength. She said she refuses to let this break her or rob her children of their grandmother.

Anyone with information is asked to reach out to the FBI at 1 800 CALL FBI or the Pima County Sheriff’s Department.