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

[mpnola]

You could not pay me to do a polygraph. Those things are so easy to flop or pass, and since they can’t hold up in court, there’s no reason to do one. Yes, they can be a tool, but if somebody doesn’t pass due to nerves or whatever, then they can continually be harassed by law-enforcement or by the public at large in my opinion.

I listen to full interrogations. There was a case with a missing little girl. They interrogated several people. It was clear to me this one guy was not the guy. But they asked him to take a polygraph. He agreed, but was nervous. He failed. Luckily for him, the guy who did it was found, it was definitely him. I was horrified!!!! The innocent guy even said why would I fail since I didn't do it? She said I don't know, but I wouldn't take any more in the future.
I literally think I would fail it, too. Because just hearing questions about the crime would make me nervous. I have already decided I will always refuse one, if I am asked to take one. And I will refer to that guy I watched take one and fail!!!!

 

[nightowl2728]

This is my first post regarding this incredibly unusual case. I have noticed that the black gloves that have been discussed are used by mechanics, as well as other people. I just realized that the person in the video on Ms. Guthrie's front porch also had a "mouth" flashlight. I think mechanics also use those frequently. It may be nothing, but thought I would share. It may be a coincidence that two of the objects are used by that particular profession.

That's really interesting, thanks for sharing. To be honest, when I was thinking about the mouth flashlight I was surprised I had never thought to do that for certain household tasks and how it would be helpful... maybe a mechanic would have not had to think about it.

EDIT: It seems like there would be limited places to buy a mouth bite light as some are calling it; if that is what it is. I would think that would be more specific than the backpack or clothing for LE to trace purchases. Unless the person is in fact a mechanic or close proximity to one where they could get it easily.
---

Unrelated, could there be significance to the first sentence of the criminal complaint for the ransom imposter? It says "N.G. was last seen inside her residence in the Catalina Foothills.... on January 31, 2026" (emphasis and sniping by me).
I thought the last time anyone "saw" her was when family dropped her off? Did they SEE her go into the house and that is what is meant?
I also think it confirms that she did disappear from her house and not another location perhaps earlier in the evening. I can't imagine LE would lie in a complaint; I think they would just leave that information out if it was meant to be secret in the ongoing investigation. But I could be mistaken/MOO.
Or, was whoever wrote this just sloppy and inexact.

 

[mickey2942]

The "talking heads" on tv are driving me crazy. They really don't know anything about this crime, and are making sweeping generalizations. Specifically, about "ageism". And that an older woman should not be living alone.

No one brought issues of age up when the college kids in Moscow, ID were murdered.

 

[jtfolden]

The purpose in asking this question was not about “releasing” the footage, more about the fact we haven’t heard definitively if she ever walked into the house that evening and if she had been spotted on camera, I would think they would state that, and I haven’t heard this. Someone else mentioned she supposedly went in through the garage.

LE have never suggested that her going home was a question so why would they focus on that or comment on it?

 

[mickey2942]

You could not pay me to do a polygraph. Those things are so easy to flop or pass, and since they can’t hold up in court, there’s no reason to do one. Yes, they can be a tool, but if somebody doesn’t pass due to nerves or whatever, then they can continually be harassed by law-enforcement or by the public at large in my opinion.

My own opinion of polygraphs, is that they are a psychological tool to tell suspects who have taken a polygraph that they failed it, to coerce a confession.

The fact that results are not admissible in court, tells me that they are subject to interpretation, and therefore, junk.

 

[Gr3yW0lf78]

This is clearly a dangerous place to live. Metal doors and most nice neighborhoods have classy metal barred windows.

 

[SUNchips]

This is clearly a dangerous place to live. Metal doors and most nice neighborhoods have classy metal barred windows.

Are you joking? Or…?

 

[Mistermagoo]

This is my first post regarding this incredibly unusual case. I have noticed that the black gloves that have been discussed are used by mechanics, as well as other people. I just realized that the person in the video on Ms. Guthrie's front porch also had a "mouth" flashlight. I think mechanics also use those frequently. It may be nothing, but thought I would share. It may be a coincidence that two of the objects are used by that particular profession.

This. I posted earlier that the gloves resembled ones that Tattoo artists use, they look like black nitrile gloves being worn over thicker gloves, IMO. Mechanics also use them frequently. Just doing a little research, they are not found in that color in many places outside of Home Depot, Menards, or ordering them online. It just seems to me that unless they were seeking those specific gloves out, it maybe something that they had a personal supply of already due to a line of work they are in.

 

[PaulaDC]

This is clearly a dangerous place to live. Metal doors and most nice neighborhoods have classy metal barred windows.

I've got a security storm door on both my front and garage side door. No crime here. I just like it because you can leave it open, let air in and it feels secure.

 

[avalonisland]

Is there a confirmation from church friend she was supposed to go to friends house for service online and did not arrive so they contacted SIL and AG. I can't find a link.

Pima County Sheriff confirmed this. The church was the NY one that Savannah attends in person and NG and friends watch the online service at 9AM Tucson time. (11am Eastern). I think friends alerted AG around 11AM but it was after Noon that AG alerted 911.

 

[imstilla.grandma]

The clips, which run less than a minute in total, provided investigators and the public with their first view of someone outside Guthrie's home in the Tucson foothills. However, the footage did not indicate what happened to her or whether she is still alive.

FBI Director Kash Patel said the“armed individual” seemed to have“tampered with the camera,” though it remains unclear if the holster actually contained a firearm.

Patel added that the videos were retrieved from“back-end systems” after investigators spent several days trying to recover footage that had been lost, corrupted, or otherwise inaccessible.

White House spokesperson Karoline Leavit opened a media briefing by noting that she and President Donald Trump had just reviewed the newly released footage.

The FBI confirmed that the Guthrie family has received ransom letters demanding payment.

In Instagram videos, Savannah, Camron, and Annie Guthrie addressed media reports about a ransom letter. The family has pleaded for their mother's safe return, requesting proof of life and contact with whoever abducted her, and in one video, they indicated they would pay.

The FBI stated it was not aware of any ongoing communication between Guthrie's family and the alleged kidnappers. Savannah Guthrie shared images and video of the masked individual and urged the public to contact law enforcement with any information

Nancy Guthrie Missing Case: Man Detained From Rio Rico Breaks Silence After Release - 'Felt Like Being Kidnapped'

Nancy Guthrie Missing Case: Man Detained From Rio Rico Breaks Silence After Release - 'Felt Like Being Kidnapped'. Rio Rico man Carlos Palazuelos, who was picked up by law enforcement officials for questioning into Nancy Guthrie missing case, shared that his detention on Tuesday“felt like being...

menafn.com

 

[avalonisland]

True, but this^^^^ is a NEW timeline. The sheriff originally said the family arrived at the home to check on NG at 11:10 am.
That was incorrect info he was putting out there. LATER he complained that people were taking his statements and details so seriously...

Sheriff also called in homicide after seeing crime scene. Would love to get more info on what the house looked like inside when first responders post 911 call arrived at NG house.

 

[txsleuth70]

Polygraph tests are bogus. They’re totally subjective and attorneys advise their clients not to take them.

Attorneys often advise their clients to take them - especially in the event a client adamantly claims their innocence.

Personal experience with a college student who was cleared in part to a polygraph test. May not be admissible in court - but someone/certain parties cannot UNSEE a PASSED result.

The power of a passed result can help keep an innocent person on the right side of the street.

 

[Cindizzi]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2021808606409322953

 

[RedHaus]

I am beginning to think this was never a kidnapping. The person on camera was hired to clean up the crime scene and perhaps dispose of the body, and Nancy was murdered before his arrival. I won’t speculate on the murderer, though. I think we all have our thoughts, and that is enough. Still doesn’t explain the Apple Watch sync, if it happened earlier in the night, though. The kidnapping theory has just gotten weird and is going in too many insane directions.

Interesting theory. If his role was 'cleanup' that might explain the porch perp's lackadaisical style, his extreme layering to avoid DNA transfer, and a stuffed backpack, which could contain tools of his trade such as a sack or tarp.

If this theory has any legs, it could imply an accomplice inside already, having entered another way. And as an OP opined re: odd sized tire tracks on the driveway, perhaps NG was taken out in a trash can that the 'cleanup' guy brought.

It would also imply, if at all close to the truth, that NG's disappearance and the ransom circus may be separate crimes.

I just have to wonder if NG walked into a home invasion when she returned from dinner on 1/31. Either the perps were already inside or they were waiting for her to return. And sadly, perhaps she was murdered to eliminate a witness. Unless the perp(s)'s intent was to kill her.

Total speculation and my own opinion. Since we're on Day 12, it just makes me wonder if this was not an abduction.

 

[SlimPickens]

The weirdest thing about the Nest cam footage we've seen, to me/MOO, is that they were even at the front door, given all the other possibilities.

Indeed, almost like he went there just to get the camera out of the way. With circle driveways like that generally made for the convenience of visitors, I wonder if his accomplice (if he had one and LE suspects so) parked off street until he removed the camera so that he could pull right up to the front door as a matter of convenience? If so, and taking her out the front was the plan all along, then that confirms there was an actual plan. And for that actual house. And for that actual victim. Aforethought like that would take military-esque discipline, preparation, and precision to pull off successfully and with little to no trace. Possibly even mock runs.

JMO.

 

[Aura]

How many of those people take an 84-year-old woman with them?

If this is mistaken house or whatever, I dont think they took her, I think they hid the body, or buried it, and then did all this ransom notes stuff to give them time to run somewhere.
**Edited to add: Now thinking more on it, I dont think this is the case. If this was mistaken house type of thing, I think they would've just killed her and left her where she was.

 

[avalonisland]

Has it been verified that it was a 9 a.m. service because from my understanding there was two different services with two different times (which both included online viewing) like many churches have?

It goes live at 11am eastern time on Sundays but perhaps NG and friends watch on youtube a different time when they gather Sunday mornings.

 

[avalonisland]

If this is mistaken house or whatever, I dont think they took her, I think they hid the body, or buried it, and then did all this ransom notes stuff to give them time to run somewhere.
**Edited to add: Now thinking more on it, I dont think this is the case. If this was mistaken house type of thing, I think they would've just killed her and left her where she was.

I think ransom notes separate from the intruder who destroyed cameras who was separate from the crime that caused NG to bleed and disappear. I think NG disappearance was inside intimate job from those super close to NG.

 

[avalonisland]

I don't think the Carlos guy hurt any elderly woman but maybe he accepted a job to disable cameras or something on 2/1/26

Carlos has a strong tight alibi and I hope he and his family members get their cellphones back so Carlos can resume his hardworking job as delivery guy. Police were going after the wrong man who had black bushy eyebrows and darkish facial hair.