To the editor:

As I type this letter, it has been six months since the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the mother of NBC-TV Anchor Savannah Guthrie. This case is labeled as a kidnapping; and it certainly seems plausible.

However, her case seems especially peculiar in more ways than a person can imagine. Especially the “reaction of the family” has been zig-zag peculiar. Hopefully someday, the public will find out the truth or full backstory. Or, perhaps, we will never know. The longer the investigation hunt goes on, the slimmer the chances of a good outcome.

Instances of famous kidnappings are nothing new. The infant son of famous Aviator Charles A. Lindbergh was kidnapped in the year 1932, just five years after the elder Lindbergh flew a plane solo over the Atlantic. Tragically, the 20-month-old infant’s body was found dead.

The 19-year-old son of singer Frank Sinatra was kidnapped and released in 1963. A $240,000 ransom was paid, yet the perpetrators were caught.

Now, I would like to return to the oddity of the kidnapping of a 500 pound man in the year 1934. In the early morning of May 10, 1934, investor, oilman, and retired executive of J.C. Penney, a man named William Franklin Gettle (who was born in Murray County, Oklahoma) was kidnapped from his newly-acquired country-home in Arcadia, California (now Beverly Hills), after a house-warming event.

At the time of Mr. Gettle’s kidnapping, it is estimated his net-worth was around $3.5 million dollars. And, as noted, he weighed 500 pounds at the time. In photos, he carried his weight well. He didn’t look it. He was a kind, jolly man, noted for his philanthropy towards good charitable causes. He was a member of the Libertas Masonic Lodge #466, the Bakersfield Commandery #39 of York Rite Masons, and a life member of Al Malaikah Shriners in Los Angeles, California.

Amazingly, after only five days after the kidnapping, Mr. William F. Gettle was found tied up, but safe and unharmed in a shack six miles north of Los Angeles.

Sadly, only 14 months after the kidnapping of Mr. Gettle, his wife, Mrs. Fleeta Gettle died at age 34 on July 2, 1935. William Franklin Gettle himself died at his home in December of 1941, of chronic liver trouble.

The case of Savannah Guthrie’s mother’s disappearance is baffling. Six months and no substantial leads? Incredibly, the kidnappers of William Franklin Gettle were caught in only five days using a primitive version of a Dictaphone installed in the home of a bank-robbery suspect.

That is an early version of a tape-recorder, but even less-sophisticated. And, it succeeded! That was technology from 92 years ago! Amazing! That, is the thrust of this letter: Detectives back then, utilized methods that seem improbable of succeeding; but did succeed.

A person would think in today’s age of ring-cameras and such (which were apparently there), the Guthrie case would be easier to solve. That makes this case beyond baffling.

Aside from being a mother of a famous, wealthy personality, what was the motive? So far as we know, no body was found and no ransom paid (since Savannah is still making televised pleas for her mom’s release). So, if it was a kidnapping – those must be amazingly patient culprits: willing to wait; and knowing the logistics of doing such a deed. Plus, to evade detection this long a time.

I pray for a peaceful resolution to the Guthrie case. In any event, the circumstances of the alleged abduction and even all other aspects seem mighty strange.

James A. Marples

Ebson