The case of missing 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie is seeing a new development as experts question whether her reported abduction was genuine or staged.
Forensic psychologist Dr Gary Brucato has suggested the case could fall under what he describes as an "elimination murder," where a victim may already be dead, while a secondary crime, such as a kidnapping, is staged to mislead investigators.
Brucato believes the circumstances point to more than a random crime, with the possibility that someone close to the victim created a "charade" to make a homicide appear like an abduction.
Clues raise doubts about the original narrative, including signs that the crime scene may have been staged and essential health-related items left behind.
Former FBI profiler Jim Clemente suggested Guthrie may have died early in the incident, possibly even before ransom negotiations began.
With no confirmed proof of life and conflicting claims emerging, authorities are continuing their investigation.
