A new theory has emerged in the mysterious disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of NBC “Today Show” host Savannah Guthrie, as former FBI agent Jennifer Coffindaffer suggests the case may be linked to a violent cryptocurrency-related crime known as a “wrench attack.” With this, a retired detective and former law enforcement official gave a fresh update on the possible motive of the kidnappers.Nancy Guthrie disappeared from her home in the Catalina Foothills area near Tucson, Arizona, in the early hours of February 1. Authorities have said they believe she was taken against her will, though investigators have not publicly identified a suspect or announced any arrests.Nancy Guthrie's kidnapping may connected to possible crypto-related motiveJennifer Coffindaffer, a former FBI agent who has closely followed the case publicly, said the circumstances surrounding Guthrie’s disappearance resemble a growing trend of crimes targeting cryptocurrency wealth through physical intimidation or kidnapping.Coffindaffer has previously linked the case to an alleged home invasion in Scottsdale, Arizona, that reportedly took place the day before Guthrie disappeared and was allegedly connected to a plot involving millions of dollars in cryptocurrency.Also Read: Nancy Guthrie Case Big Breakthrough? Pajama top found on ‘disturbed land’ near Nancy’s Arizona home; here’s why this discovery can be crucial“I have been speaking about a wrench attack that took place literally about 90 minutes North of Nancy's house the day before Nancy was attacked since early March,” Coffindaffer wrote on X on Tuesday, May 26.“A wrench attack checks a lot of boxes in terms of Nancy's case. I have been concerned that this is a likely possibility for months.”— CoffindafferFBI (@CoffindafferFBI) In another post, Coffindaffer explained that the targets of such attacks are often individuals with cryptocurrency wealth or people connected to someone believed to possess large digital assets.Retired detective says Nancy Guthrie’s case may not fully match typical ‘wrench attack’Lisa J. Miller, a retired detective and former law enforcement executive at the Colorado Attorney General’s Office, also discussed the theory in comments reported by Michael Ruiz of Fox News on Wednesday, May 27.According to Miller, “mastermind hackers are swapping keyboards for guns and hired kidnappers,” as criminals turn to violent tactics to gain access to cryptocurrency-related assets.Miller described wrench attacks as situations where criminals squeeze kidnapping victims or their relatives for cash. However, she also suggested the Nancy Guthrie case may not fit the usual pattern entirely.“In the beginning of this Nancy Guthrie case, we’re all taking a look at it, and we’re seeing things that just didn’t seem to fit,” Miller said during the interview with digital outlet. “What we’re seeing with Nancy Guthrie is not a typical wrench attack.”Miller added that investigators may instead be looking at a scenario where the alleged abductor was attempting to target Savannah Guthrie’s perceived financial resources.“The street level thug theory fits with what we’re seeing in the Guthrie case, because when the FBI released the pictures of this porch guy, and I’ve referred to him from the beginning as ‘porch monster,’ I mean, the guy comes across as a bit of a doofus,” Miller added in the interview.What is a ‘wrench attack’?A wrench attack, sometimes called a “$5 wrench attack,” refers to a physical assault, robbery, or kidnapping intended to force cryptocurrency holders to reveal passwords, seed phrases, or transfer funds directly.The term originated from a satirical XKCD webcomic that joked an attacker could simply threaten someone with a wrench to obtain a password rather than trying to hack sophisticated security systems, according to Ledger. These attacks are usually carefully planned rather than random crimes.According to Miller, it started with a 2009 web comic about a disgruntled hacker who proposed beating someone until they revealed their password with a $5 wrench.How 'wrench attacks' work?According to Ledger, attackers often identify victims through online activity. Individuals who publicly discuss cryptocurrency wealth on social media, forums, podcasts, or industry events can become targets.Once identified, criminals may carry out home invasions, kidnappings, or armed robberies to force victims into unlocking crypto wallets or transferring funds immediately.“The Goal: The attacker’s objective is immediate access. They aim to bypass all digital security measures by compelling the owner to cooperate,” Ledger explains.“Whether executed as home invasions, kidnappings, or robberies, these crimes force immediate access to cryptocurrency holdings.”Unlike traditional cybercrime, wrench attacks rely on physical threats and violence instead of hacking digital systems.What investigators have said regarding Nancy Guthrie case so farNancy Guthrie was last seen at her Tucson-area home on January 31 and was reported missing the following day. Authorities later revealed that drops of blood were discovered on the front porch of the residence, strengthening concerns that she may have been abducted.In February, the FBI released surveillance footage from a doorbell camera showing a masked man outside Nancy Guthrie’s front door on the night she disappeared. Investigators described the man as a suspect but have not identified him.