Nancy Guthrie Update: FBI Has Reason For Hope

As the investigation into the apparent kidnapping of 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie continues, the unfortunate reality is that there simply have not been many leads, suspects, or developments in the case over the past few weeks. However, that doesn't mean hope is lost.

Though there is growing fear that the investigation is becoming a cold case, with Guthrie's family even admitting that there's a chance she is already gone, there is still reason for hope as the search continues.

Cold Case Fears Emerge

Earlier this month, the FBI released a series of chilling photos and videos from a door camera that showed an armed masked person at the door of Guthrie's home on the day she disappeared and presumably a previous day, as well.

The photos mark perhaps the strongest evidence that the FBI has released in the case. However, TMZ reported this week that the photos and video have not produced any significant leads in the investigation, leading to concern that the search is becoming "a cold case."

As the investigation stretches on with few real leads, Nancy's daughter, Savannah Guthrie, shared an emotional message on social media where she conceded that there's a real chance her mother is already gone.

“We also know that she may be lost. She may already be gone. She may have already gone home to the Lord that she loves. And is dancing in heaven with her mom and her dad. And with her beloved brother Pierce. And with our daddy. If this is what it is to be, then we will accept it,” Savannah Guthrie said.

FBI Still Has Hope

In a recent video shared to social media, TMZ's Harvey Levin shared some updates on the case, where he indicated that while the "cold case" fears are real, the FBI does still have hope.

Levin said that the fears that Guthrie might already be gone did not come from the FBI, but something the family came to terms with on their own.

"We are told that the FBI never told the family that the chances of finding their mom alive was slim to none. They never said anything about it. This is something that the family kind of came to terms with on their own, we're told," Levin said in the video.

That said, Levin reiterated the fears that the case is becoming cold, but also outlined reasons for hope, citing a conversation with an FBI source.

"The reality is, this is becoming a cold case. But that doesn't mean that it's over," Levin said in the video.

Levin outlined a number of ways that more information could come out, including someone bragging about the case at a bar, or a girlfriend or loved one coming clean.

"Even though this is becoming a cold case, and it is clearly one of the reasons why the Guthrie family has upped the reward, that doesn't mean that it's over," Levin said. "As one FBI source put it, 'It just takes that one person.' And they believe it's going to happen at some point – one person who opens his or her mouth, and the case cracks wide open."

It's worth noting that since the Guthrie family upped the reward to $1 million, the FBI has seen a surge in tips coming to its hotline.