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

[Bluewing3102]

Hi all new here! Here are my thoughts so far:

From a friend of someone who has met and interacted with NG, I've been told that Nancy had mobility issues but she was more than able to move around the house on her own.

I initially rejected the idea of it being someone in her family circle. If you are seeking inheritance or life insurance payout for an elderly relative with ongoing health issues. I'd imagine it's relatively easy to fake a natural death or just wait until she passes. There's not much incentive to stage an abduction and possibly murder them. Especially knowing with the family's name and resources that it would cause a thorough federal investigation.
But who knows- not all criminals are smart.

If the family intended to stage a kidnapping to demand money from SG due to personal grudges or wealth jealousy I would've hoped they would have slipped up by taking her pills from the house (we know the pills were left behind).

In terms of the blood evidence in front of house. I agree they look low viscosity meaning it dripped directly from the source of blood. The one concentrated area before the trail makes me think perhaps the abductor carrying NG, briefly paused to close the front door before heading towards a vehicle.

Something about this case really isnt adding up. I know LE keeps things close to their sleeve not to spook suspects but a little weird that nothing seems to be going right. Remember this isn't a murder investigation (yet) - this is an ABDUCTION well behind the 48-72 hour window. And unfortunately the outcome is looking more and more bleak for Nancy. I hope this is not the case and is returned safely.

JMO

 

[Lebowski]

no PoI's either is significant. casts some doubt on stuff we've been hearing <modsnip>.

 

[MadCowWisco]

I'm generally curious about what's the trigger, Savannah's money or her mother's.

or both? Following the money always tells alot.

 

[Deleted member 117884]

Hi all new here! Here are my thoughts so far:

From a friend who has met and interacted with NG, I've been told that Nancy had mobility issues but she was more than able to move around the house on her own.

I initially rejected the idea of it being someone in her family circle. If you are seeking inheritance or life insurance payout for an elderly relative with ongoing health issues. I'd imagine it's relatively easy to fake a natural death or just wait until she passes. There's not much incentive to stage an abduction and possibly murder them. Especially knowing with the family's name and resources that it would cause a thorough federal investigation.
But who knows- not all criminals are smart.

If the family intended to stage a kidnapping to demand money from SG due to personal grudges or wealth jealousy I would've hoped they would have slipped up by taking her pills from the house (we know the pills were left behind).

In terms of the blood evidence in front of house. I agree they look low viscosity meaning it dripped directly from the source of blood. The one concentrated area before the trail makes me think perhaps the abductor carrying NG, briefly paused to close the front door before heading towards a vehicle.

Something about this case really isnt adding up. I know LE keeps things close to their sleeve not to spook suspects but a little weird that nothing seems to be going right. Remember this isn't a typically murder investigation- this is an ABDUCTION well behind the 48-72 hour window. And unfortunately the outcome is looking more and more bleak for Nancy. I hope this is not the case and is returned safely.

JMO

Welcome to WS. Sorry a tragedy close to home brought you here, but welcome to the discussion.

jmo

 

[connie9030]

Me too.

I think it's reasonable is on the list.

Yes, absolutely.

Yes, I agree but without their medicine and bleeding?

 

[Emerald1328]

Did you know that burglars will often come knock or ring at the door, and if nobody answers, they figure it's safe to go on in.

Stop that. Why, in all my years of following true crime, did that actually very sensible idea never come to me? Now whenever someone comes to my door, I’m going to have a Sophie’s choice to make!

 

[Justice101]

<modsnip>

I wondered if the car impoundment was voluntary or a warrant... but you don't need a warrant according to this...

"Law enforcement can impound a car without a warrant if they have probable cause to believe it is evidence of a murder or was used in the commission of a felony. Under the "automobile exception" to the Fourth Amendment, cars can be seized without a warrant if they are readily mobile and evidence is suspected to be inside, such as blood or other signs of violence. "

 

[Cardgame]

<modsnip>

I wondered if the car impoundment was voluntary or a warrant... but you don't need a warrant according to this...

"Law enforcement can impound a car without a warrant if they have probable cause to believe it is evidence of a murder or was used in the commission of a felony. Under the "automobile exception" to the Fourth Amendment, cars can be seized without a warrant if they are readily mobile and evidence is suspected to be inside, such as blood or other signs of violence. "

I wondered if her car has a GPS tracker on it so they can confirm/rule out info given as alibi. Or - searching for an innocent explanation - if they have reason to suspect someone else has been tracking the family.

 

[allboys]

BBM:

"Arizona police still have no suspects in the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, despite reports that key individuals had been identified in the hunt for the missing mom of “Today” host Savannah Guthrie.

“At this time, no suspects have been identified. Detectives continue to speak with anyone who may have had contact with Mrs. Guthrie. We are also awaiting additional forensic results,” a spokesperson for the Pima County Sheriff’s Department told The Post Wednesday morning."

There are still no suspects in the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, police announce

From other cases I have followed- in particular, a case that was local to me (murder of Nancy Cooper), LE will state there is not a suspect even though there very much is. Nancy Cooper’s husband was the murder suspect from the beginning, but LE did not state that. They often watch the suspect as they build their case and gather evidence.

 

[KellySleuth]

<modsnip>

I wondered if the car impoundment was voluntary or a warrant... but you don't need a warrant according to this...

"Law enforcement can impound a car without a warrant if they have probable cause to believe it is evidence of a murder or was used in the commission of a felony. Under the "automobile exception" to the Fourth Amendment, cars can be seized without a warrant if they are readily mobile and evidence is suspected to be inside, such as blood or other signs of violence. "

That car is likely the car that Nancy was last in when they brought her home Saturday evening. I'm trying to think why they would need to impound it for that reason alone. Assuming that the information about the sister's car being seized is true.

 

[KellySleuth]

Or the cops aren’t being truthful, and I can’t blame them.

Is there any chance the FBI knows more than the sheriff's office?

 

[cady]

I wondered if her car has a GPS tracker on it so they can confirm/rule out info given as alibi. Or - searching for an innocent explanation - if they have reason to suspect someone else has been tracking the family.

not surprising that her car is being processed, but is her car their only car?

 

[NoseyRecluse]

Is it possible that the people who took her took 'some' of her medication out of the containers - to keep her alive, and to make the situation seem more desperate (ie, she left without her meds, and needs them to survive)? I guess I am grasping at straws.

 

[DizzyB]

Are approved sources saying anything? I am a rule follower that hates when a thread gets shut down for clean up. Today could be a big day and I want to be able to read stuff here.

 

[MadCowWisco]

Is it possible that the people who took her took 'some' of her medication out of the containers - to keep her alive, and to make the situation seem more desperate (ie, she left without her meds, and needs them to survive)? I guess I am grasping at straws.

This is what I thought to. If you had this planned for a bit, you could have squirreled away some meds without her knowing it and maybe have whatever she needs to assist her wherever you are taking her next. My god, thats what I am hoping. That she is sitting in some hotel watching old Friends reruns and is just really ticked off.

 

[StarryStarryNight]

That car is likely the car that Nancy was last in when they brought her home Saturday evening. I'm trying to think why they would need to impound it for that reason alone. Assuming that the information about the sister's car being seized is true.

I’m thinking to check if NG’s blood is in the car. She was apparently bleeding when she was taken.

 

[Only4Justice]

I agree. I would assume it would first be considered wandering off in a confusion, even if the family says she is not mentally impaired. Or maybe she went outdoors for some reason and suffered a fall or medical emergency. Neither would involve homicide detectives.

Something in the house immediately concerned LE. My mind goes to blood, tbh.

jmopinion

If this is random the criminal is in for a shock when they realize who they harmed!

The helicopter must have been looking for the body.

This is what i think too.

 

[Deleted member 117884]

<modsnip>

I wondered if the car impoundment was voluntary or a warrant... but you don't need a warrant according to this...

"Law enforcement can impound a car without a warrant if they have probable cause to believe it is evidence of a murder or was used in the commission of a felony. Under the "automobile exception" to the Fourth Amendment, cars can be seized without a warrant if they are readily mobile and evidence is suspected to be inside, such as blood or other signs of violence. "

That is interesting info to know, not just in this case but perhaps in other cases we follow. I had no idea about the automobile exception. Thanks!

jmo

 

[KellySleuth]

I’m thinking to check if NG’s blood is in the car. She was apparently bleeding when she was taken.

Oh for sure. But assuming he/they aren't suspects, is there any innocent reason to take the car? Is that standard protocol?

 

[Magic8Ball]

no PoI's either is significant. casts some doubt on stuff we've been hearing <modsnip>

LE almost always says this until they're ready to make an arrest, so it really doesn't mean anything one way or the other.

LE wants to keep everyone talking/cooperating, and avoid people lawyering up.

This statement they put out is an attempt to do damage control.