NBC's discomfort revealed when discussing Nancy Guthrie's kidnapping

Nearly two weeks after Nancy Guthrie vanished, attention has shifted to NBC, where executives are reportedly uneasy about how to address the alleged kidnapping on their own air.

The 84-year-old mother of "Today" co-anchor Savannah Guthrie disappeared on January 31, and her case has since dominated headlines nationwide.

According to reports, network leaders are debating whether Dateline should dedicate an episode to the case, as the search for Nancy stretches toward the 14-day mark.

Nancy was last seen after dining with her daughter Annie, before Annie's husband, Tommaso Cioni, allegedly drove her home just before 10 p.m.

When she failed to attend church plans the next morning, relatives raised the alarm, and she was reported missing on February 1.

In the days that followed, ransom notes demanding $6 million in bitcoin were sent to the family and some media outlets, although authorities have not verified their authenticity.

Local deputies and federal agents have continued pursuing leads, releasing images of a masked figure captured on a doorbell camera outside Nancy's home.

While the case has fueled intense public interest, NBC executives are said to be weighing the optics of covering the ordeal so closely tied to one of their own anchors.

Sources told the Daily Mail that senior figures feel uncomfortable about appearing to capitalize on a tragedy affecting a colleague.

"Let's be honest - Dateline wants a hit," a source told the publication. "And everyone knows this could be the highest-rated episode they've ever had.

"There's no pretending otherwise. This story would pull massive numbers."

However, internal hesitation reportedly extends beyond ratings, as some fear potential ethical and security consequences.

Did Nancy Guthrie suspect mess up?

Earlier this month, the FBI released still images and video of a suspect seen outside Nancy's Tucson home on the night she disappeared.

The footage shows a man in a ski mask and plain clothing standing near the front door, apparently interacting with the doorbell camera system.

The images, recovered after technical efforts to retrieve data, have generated thousands of public tips, although no arrests have followed.

Only one individual has been detained so far, and he was later released without charges, as investigators continue evaluating evidence.

Criminal justice expert Kevin Hale said that the suspect appeared organized, but may have overlooked critical details.

"The person likely put some thought into this event," Hale said to Radar Online. "The full facial covering with a ski mask is a bit odd, given the normal temperature in Tucson.

"This could have been ordered online, but there are certainly masks made of a lighter material. While they may have tried to prepare their outfit, I find it interesting that they did not prepare for the possibility of a door camera.

"Why not just bring a can of spray paint, or simply rip it out and take it to dispose of later?"

Despite mounting scrutiny and continued forensic review, authorities have yet to identify the masked figure, leaving both investigators and NBC facing ongoing uncertainty.