Bethenny Frankel believes a rival journalist may be involved in the recent abduction of Savannah Guthrie’s mother, Nancy Guthrie, from her Arizona home.
The “Real Housewives of New York City” alum, 55, shared a baffling theory on Instagram Wednesday night as the search for a missing 84-year-old man approaches its 12th day.
Frankel said investigators believe “the ransom note was written by a very clear-minded person” and “someone with ties to an Arizona television station,” before pointing out that Savannah worked for an Arizona television station several years ago.
The Skinnygirl founder then pondered the fact that the suspected kidnappers had claimed that once the ransom was paid, Nancy would be returned to her home in Tucson “within hours.”
“So the person who helped Savannah win, get the job, break out and make a lot of money is a competitive journalist who is angry and wants to get what she deserves?” Frankel asked her more than 4 million followers.
“I’ve never heard of anything like that. Why does something like that sound logical?” she added.
However, the reality star also admitted that there is “probably a lot missing” regarding the mysterious incident and that she “could use” help from fans as they are “part-time reporters.”
“Tell me the missing details,” she captioned the video.
Frankel’s fans then flooded the comments section, with many agreeing with the Bravo darling’s post. Some shared their own interesting theories about the kidnapping.
One person wrote: “I don’t think you’re wrong.” “All theories are plausible at this point.”
Another person commented: “Oh no, I can’t live with this anymore.”
“That’s a good story, but I haven’t heard it yet. I hope the FBI investigates all that type of thing,” a third shared. “Poor woman.”
Representatives for Mr. Frankel did not respond to Page Six’s request for comment.
Nancy was last seen at around 9:30 pm on January 31st, after her son-in-law, Tommaso Sioni, had given her a ride home after a family dinner.
She was officially reported missing the next afternoon after failing to attend her regular virtual church service.
Investigators believe Savannah’s mother was abducted and “harmed” as she slept outside the front door of her Catalina Foothills home. Blood stains that authorities later confirmed were the mother’s were found.
The purported ransom note, which Frankel mentioned in her Instagram video, was sent to TMZ and multiple Tucson news outlets, demanding the Guthrie family pay $6 million in Bitcoin by February 9th.
The day after that deadline passed, Page Six confirmed that approximately $152 worth of Bitcoin appeared in the account.
Savannah worked as a reporter and anchor for local NBC affiliate KVOA-TV in Tucson early in her career, but she has since left “Today” to focus on her mother’s disappearance.
She, along with her brothers Camron Guthrie and Annie Guthrie, have made several emotional videos pleading with their mother’s kidnappers and agreeing to pay a $6 million ransom.
“Someone recognizes this person,” Savannah said in one video after authorities released photos and videos of the suspected kidnapper outside 84-year-old Nancy’s home.
“We believe she’s still there,” the “Today” co-anchor added. “Take her home.”
