AZ Nancy Guthrie, 84, (mother of TODAY Show host Savannah Guthrie) missing - last seen in the Catalina foothills area on Jan 31, 2026

[Sunshynn]

They definitely are not dumb. They are probably not professional, but most criminals are not. You can be a non professional, but also be far more meticulous than the average criminal. I think some experts are missing that middle ground.

MOO - but this seems like the work of someone who's watched a lot of movies. Like Hollywood level criminals.

We have several ransom notes, demands for bitcoin, a missing and then found camera, attempts to mask their identity to the point that they are (possibly) wearing two masks over their face.
Sounds straight from a summer blockbuster movie, MOO.

IMO, I find this so much work for the kidnapping of an 83 year old lady.
I just can't put my finger on a motive that makes since based on the evidence we have been made aware of thus far.

 

[BigCityAccountant]

At one point, somewhere in this thread, someone had put together a list of possible motives. I can’t find it so I’m going to try to make a list.
1) kidnapping for ransom
2) killed by someone she knew and the rest of it is a staged cover up
3) someone obsessed with SG or trying to target SG for some reason
4) random SA / murder by someone who targets elderly - maybe a serial offender who is escalating?
5) robbery gone wrong - he didn’t think anyone was home, harmed her and then decided to get rid of her (the evidence)

Anything else?
Honestly none of these make a lot of sense. Who does this to an 84 year old woman???

I would add someone who feels scorned by SG or one of her family members.

As to your question about who does this to an 84 year old woman. I have learned from following cases that you will never understand these type of people unless you are one of them. They are sick, twisted, and evil.

 

[CandyKiss]

Some men tattoo their wrist with a cross. When they extend their arm, the cross is placed as seen in copied pic. Looking at perp’s wrist, I’m wondering if the tat is a cross due to the spacing from top to mid-section?

 

[Inthedetails]

It looked like he was unloading a sign and signpost. It may be that he was hired for the limited purpose of putting up “no trespassing” signs at NG’s home since LE has not otherwise prevented access (by media members and pizza delivery persons) in recent days.

After the attempted 3-pizza delivery yesterday, if I were family I’d probably do likewise. To them, it does not matter that LE believes they have ready finished processing the scene; rather, they’d consider that further processing may be necessary up to and until this crime is solved and the perpetrator(s) not just charged, but convicted.

That pizza stunt annoys me to no end. People, stay out of the way.

jmo

 

[Eli9]

THANK YOU! I am interested in the image of perp without the backpack or the gun holster. Trying to discern if that image was taken before the video we've all at this point seen of perp walking up to door and fidgeting with the door cam or after.

In my opinion this screen grab would have had to have happened before the longer video. Although we don't have actual video of him removing the door cam I do believe it happened shortly after he used the lantana to obscure his face. If that were true than the lantana man would already be in possession of the door cam. Also presumably why we don't have any images and or video of NG or the perp leaving the residence. All MOO

 

[VioletBoxcar]

RE: the jacket and backpack.

The jacket looks fleece to me, and very generic. It's not screaming LL Bean or Carhartt or Nike. It looks like something generic off a Walmart rack or even a Dollar General (some stores have clothing) or an off-brand from a sporting goods store.

Getting the same vibe from the backpack, very generic. Probably on purpose. moo

Yeah the strip on the chest makes it look generic imo. Other brands are usually stitched and just look nicer. I know a couple under cover officers and they wear clothes from Ross, dollar store or goodwill. Why wear something easily recognizable?

 

[EJB123456]

Oh sure, I knew exactly what you meant. It’s just when you mentioned refrigerator, my mind went somewhere morbid, and I gave myself the creeps wondering if NG had a large chest type deep freezer. I don’t remember the documentary but a man that had killed his mother, hid her body at the bottom of the deep freezer at his home/hunting lodge.

I would just like confirmation that they looked in here. What even is that? Is it locked? (Yes I know a lot of time has passed.)

Image from this article:

https://www.azcentral.com/picture-g...earch-nancy-guthrie-house-photos/88560357007/

 

[moonglow123]

Just wish LE would give us an idea of his vehicle. Nancy lives off of a major road. He would’ve had to be on it at some point. Someone’s cameras must’ve gotten him. Since it seems they’re heavily relying on tips from the public, would be helpful if the public could get more pieces to put together.

 

[LRinCA]

Some men tattoo their wrist with a cross. When they extend their arm, the cross is placed as seen in copied pic. Looking at perp’s wrist, I’m wondering if the tat is a cross due to the spacing from top to mid-section?

Great closeup on the sleeve. At that zoom level it almost looks like there's pilling on the sleeve, which makes me wonder if it's a fleece-type jacket versus a windbreaker.

 

[Inthedetails]

I would just like confirmation that they looked in here. What even is that? Is it locked? (Yes I know a lot of time has passed.)

View attachment 643886
Image from this article:

https://www.azcentral.com/picture-g...earch-nancy-guthrie-house-photos/88560357007/

Looks like utility/maintence access doors to me. jmo

 

[allboys]

I know experts are saying this person doesn’t seem professional or intelligent based on some of the things that were done (picking flowers, trying to hide from the camera, etc.). But if this person is truly that ‘stupid,’ then how have they managed to avoid being caught this long? IMO, they don’t seem as dumb as people are making them out to be, this could be far more organized and professional than assumed. Unless that’s exactly the point? …maybe they’re downplaying this person publicly to provoke a reaction or get them to make a mistake.

Not implying it’s the case here… but sometimes dump people just get lucky. (Or at least for a longer period of time than expected.) In this case, just the darkness alone is to any perp’s advantage.

 

[submarine7]

THANK YOU! I am interested in the image of perp without the backpack or the gun holster. Trying to discern if that image was taken before the video we've all at this point seen of perp walking up to door and fidgeting with the door cam or after.

 

[cherryleaf]

I would just like confirmation that they looked in here. What even is that? Is it locked? (Yes I know a lot of time has passed.)

View attachment 643886
Image from this article:

https://www.azcentral.com/picture-g...earch-nancy-guthrie-house-photos/88560357007/

No idea but same. Maybe a storage shed for yard tools? NG has such a beautiful home. You can tell just by the upkeep and landscaping and clear pool how much it meant to her. Everything looks so well manicured and maintained.

 

[Spectrix]

Wondered what are the lights in the distance? is it a waiting car., You can see some reflection of something in the road in the 1st photo that the fbi released. maybe front door was planned.

As far as I can tell, the lights belong to the house across the road from Nancy -

 

[LRinCA]

Random thought here which is all JMO/IMHO, etc.

If this was a kidnapping/ransom case, wouldn't it have behooved the perpetrator(s) to film a video of Nancy saying "Savannah/kids - please pay the ransom." Or hold up a newspaper with the date and a big note saying "please pay them what they want."

I don't think they've ever intended to show proof of life. Again, all my conjecture/opinion/musings.

Editing to add: and yes, I do understand the AI wrinkle in all of this and there is plenty of footage of her from The Today Show to work with on that front.

 

[submarine7]

Some men tattoo their wrist with a cross. When they extend their arm, the cross is placed as seen in copied pic. Looking at perp’s wrist, I’m wondering if the tat is a cross due to the spacing from top to mid-section?

I finally see it. There's something there that could be a tattoo

 

[nerosleuth]

I doubt it. The purpose of terrorist groups is to inflict maximum carnage, damage, and then make it known who was responsible to strike fear into the public, but also try to make a name for yourself to recruit other people to your cause. This has nothing of the sort. I don't believe terrorists are involved. Or cartels for that matter.

Here's what I am thinking.

I believe this is the work of a criminal gang. The problem here is what kind of criminal gang is involved in this type of activity.

Is this the work of a cyber criminal gang? Or is it the work of a ethnic criminal gang such as the MS-13?

 

[tlcya]

In my opinion this screen grab would have had to have happened before the longer video. Although we don't have actual video of him removing the door cam I do believe it happened shortly after he used the lantana to obscure his face. If that were true than the lantana man would already be in possession of the door cam. Also presumably why we don't have any images and or video of NG or the perp leaving the residence. All MOO

My thinking too, I'm trying to imagine why the perp would walk up with no backpack and no gun, see the camera ad then go put on the (stuffed full) backpack and weapon to return and disable the camera. IMO everything about this case is weird including this part.

 

[Wsimm]

Looks like utility/maintence access doors to me. jmo

Pool pump possibly?

 

[submarine7]

As far as I can tell, the lights belong to the house across the road from Nancy -

View attachment 643889
View attachment 643890

It does seem strange that many of their lights are on at such a late hour. The lights stand out.