Nancy Guthrie Nightmare: Terrified Arizonans Rush to Install Secret Panic Rooms

Nearly a month after 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie was abducted from her Tucson, Arizona home in a chilling home invasion, terrified Arizona residents are desperate for protection. Some homeowners in the area are even ripping apart their houses to install secret panic rooms as fears spread.

Why Nancy Guthrie's Kidnapping Is Sparking a Panic Room Boom in Arizona

Following the kidnapping of Savannah Guthrie's mom, people around the world have followed the case, hoping to see Nancy Guthrie be recovered and returned home safely. Those living near where the abduction took place have been especially shaken by the horrifying circumstances of what happened. Now, many are taking action to protect themselves and their loved ones.

The Daily Mail spoke to Kevin Hand, an expert in break-in-resistant safe rooms at the Arizona company Sportsman Steel Safes. He explained that before the Guthrie kidnapping, many customers relied on Ring and Nest cameras alone for security. That changed after the abduction made headlines. Now, he receives daily calls from Arizona residents requesting rush installations of thick steel doors and secret safe rooms in their homes.

"There has been a huge spike in calls and business since the Guthrie case... It's got people thinking, 'What would we do if someone broke in tonight?' People don't want this to happen to them or their families, and they're realizing maybe it can."

According to Hand, locals are retrofitting rooms with reinforced steel doors that weigh between 800 and 1,000 pounds. Those doors only open via digital keypads that typically activate 18 bolts that are used to keep intruders outside. Hand also told the Daily Mail that installations have also included layers of steel, concrete cores, fireboard, and anti-pry reinforcement inside the rooms.

The rush to install these security measures proves that a very real sense of fear is building among residents near Nancy Guthrie's home. Social media commentary, such as one post from retired FBI agent Jennifer Coffindaffer, have added to the sense of unease in the area. She noted that publicly released doorbell camera footage from other Tucson homes reveals numerous suspicious individuals and potential burglars in Pima County neighborhoods. In her post, she described the area as being "not safe," even though there has been a promising update in the Nancy Guthrie case."

Nancy Guthrie

Now this is a typical organized burglary. (See link)

-Make sure people aren't there.
-Have pepper spray on the ready for dogs.
-Break in swiftly and get out.
-Reconnaissance is the key.
-Burglars don't want people; They want valuables.
-Daytime

Pima County is not…

— Jennifer Coffindaffer (@CoffindafferFBI) February 25, 2026