Savannah Guthrie’s Mom Nancy Was ‘Coughing Up Blood or Dripping From the Nose’ During Abduction, Says Expert

The blood found at the entrance of Nancy Guthrie‘s home provides vital context for what may have happened the night of her disappearance, according to a forensic expert.

“Nancy Guthrie is bleeding from some area, either the hands or the face,” forensic pathologist Dr. Michael Baden suggested, a news outlet reported on Thursday, February 12. “The nature of the blood spots with little pale centers or donut shapes is typical for drops that come from the nose or mouth, because they’re mixed with air.”

The NBC anchor’s mother was reported missing on February 1. Her disappearance was soon considered a crime after “concerning evidence” was found by the Pima County Sheriff’s Department, eventually revealed as blood in the Tucson, Ariz., home. The blood was later confirmed to belong to Guthrie.

According to the blood splatter, Baden suggested that the 84-year-old was either “coughing up blood or dropping from the face.”

“Otherwise, there would be a dripping from a cut from above, possibly from the hands or face,” he added.

The forensic expert also pointed out that the senior was either unable or did not attempt to stop the bleeding as she moved from the front of her house to the driveway.

“This blood dropped onto the porch area during an abduction. They indicate that it did not occur by innocent means,” he stated. “They happened not in a normal, innocent way where it could be covered up or have iodine and bandages put on it.”

Baden highlighted that the location and the nature of the blood droplets indicated that Nancy was bleeding while being abducted.

“These are not innocent droplets,” he emphasized. “From the shape, number of droplets and the place of the droplets outside the house on the porch, they are entirely consistent and indicative of occurring during an abduction.”

The FBI released new footage of Guthrie’s believed kidnapper on February 11.

In the chilling photos taken from Guthrie’s front door camera, a masked suspect, dressed in a zip-up jacket, light-colored pants and black gloves, could be seen approaching Guthrie’s front door at around 1:45 a.m.

In another shot, the suspect appeared to grab a shrub from the front yard before disabling the recording device.

The FBI continues to ask the public for their cooperation on the case, sharing in a statement, “We appreciate the assistance and support we have received from the Tucson community. The FBI continues to offer a $50,000 reward for information leading to the recovery of Nancy Guthrie. You can help by submitting tips to the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI.”