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

[Anna-lytical]

It sounds like she knows who she is speaking to. It feels so close that she could speak his/her name.

And her face is even positioned very close to the camera!

 

[mickey2942]

Agree that regardless of where we are all in the political spectrum, we could see that somehow this may be politically motivated. JMO

How can this have been "politically motivated"?

 

[Sdow]

True. Though I find this confusing because logistically, it seems likely that there was more than one person.

But maybe the FBI or other LE have determined there was only one, or maybe SG is addressing the ringleader.

JMO

IMO I think it's more than one as well, but you could be on the money with either of those suggestions.

 

[stmichael]

'Almost certainly' is an asymptotic framing for emphasis, but I appreciate your literal take.

I was agreeing with your prior post, for what it's worth, but you almost certainly have surmised that already.

JMO.

No it is not. It is an incorrect framing of an absolute. Qualifying an absolute for emphasis doesn't change that. Being almost certain is being not certain, just as a light switch being almost on means it is off, and something being near perfect means it is not perfect.

And I certainly can't tell what to make of your responses, but by all means do carry on.

 

[SouthAussie]

Savannah states in the IG video “you’re not lost and you’re not alone”- this is a very specific statement. Why would she say that specifically without any other knowledge/information about the captor? Also the caption says “do the next right thing”- this is a common phrase used in 12-step groups. I’m just musing- what is the significance of these words and phrases? Where do they potentially lead us if there is a profile of the suspect and she’s using this language? Thoughts?

https://people.com/savannah-guthrie-makes-tearful-plan-to-mom-nancy-kidnappers-new-video-11905494

I would think that a hostage negotiator and/or FBI profiler told Savannah (mostly) what she should say.

imo

 

[Sakura2Sophia4Lucia]

Potentially unpopular hypothesis, but it is possible that no unknown DNA was found in the home and that law enforcement seeded that information to media outlets in order to stoke paranoia and an irrational response. Because paranoia certainly breeds irrational responses, and I imagine gets more criminals caught than DNA does.

It seems far more likely to me that if law enforcement found unknown DNA in or around the home that that isn't something they would want to disclose to anyone publicly. We know from reporting that they have digital sweepers on land and in the air, and are fiendishly monitoring cell and internet communications (think NSA) for a digital fingerprint, so I imagine they'd love a login or cell call to track right about now.

JMO.

Brilliant idea, actually. By announcing various updates to the case, I do believe that LE is strategically communicating with the perpetrator(s).

It would be a great strategy on LE's part if they planted the idea that they found DNA in the house that didn't belong to NG or her associates and insinuated that the DNA was thought to belong to the perpetrator. This info could frighten the perpetrator(s) into making a cell phone call or possibly sending an email and LE could pick up those communications.

In terms of timing and in terms of what LE usually communicates with the public, I was surprised when LE announced they had DNA from the house that quite possibly belonged to the perpetrator. Your hypothesis is excellent and I would hope that LE did frighten the perpetrator with releasing the info about unknown DNA being in the house and conveying that LE believed it was the perpetrator's DNA. Perpetrator could be scared enough to make a phone call. Could be more significant to this case than actually having unknown DNA in NG's house.

JMO

 

[Sdow]

I would think that a hostage negotiator and/or FBI profiler told Savannah (mostly) what she should say.

imo

I was thinking the same thing. She would have an abundance of resources available to her to step her in the right direction. IMO.

 

[loves2readhistory]

Brilliant idea, actually. By announcing various updates to the case, I do believe that LE is strategically communicating with the perpetrator(s).

It would be a great strategy on LE's part if they planted the idea that they found DNA in the house that didn't belong to NG or her associates and insinuated that the DNA was thought to belong to the perpetrator. This info could frighten the perpetrator(s) into making a cell phone call or possibly sending an email and LE could pick up those communications.

In terms of timing and in terms of what LE usually communicates with the public, I was surprised when LE announced they had DNA from the house that quite possibly belonged to the perpetrator. Your hypothesis is excellent and I would hope that LE did frighten the perpetrator with releasing the info about unknown DNA being in the house and conveying that LE believed it was the perpetrator's DNA. Perpetrator could be scared enough to make a phone call. Could be more significant to this case than actually having unknown DNA in NG's house.

JMO

That might seem like good idea now and backfire at trial if someone is ever charged and brought to trial. A defense attorney could cause lot of disruption, claim the prosecution is hiding exculpatory evidence if LE SAYS there is foreign DNA and then backtracks after suspect is charged.

Don’t help the defense win its case with unprofessional tactics, IMO.

 

[Sakura2Sophia4Lucia]

I would think that a hostage negotiator and/or FBI profiler told Savannah (mostly) what she should say.

imo

SG used the words that FBI experts told her to use. And she did it really well. JMO

 

[TIGER0822]

Totally agree with this. So if they found the outer pair of gloves with Nancy’s DNA and some lantana on it…

I’m interested in hearing more about your theory! I truly could believe anything at this point, we know so little really.

What do you mean by “softening” the information? And which info do you think authorities are putting out as fact to keep him talking?

In my humble opinion, the ‘one bitcoin ‘ ransom note writer, who claims to know who the kidnappers are, is passing along information and softening it, as they feel some loyalty and guilt to the party they are passing along information about. Eg it was not supposed to be a kidnapping, just a robbery gone wrong. To keep him talking this information is being passed along to the public to show that they are taking him seriously. I think the new video today was SG talking to this guy, saying we need thr name and location. It is not to late to pass this information along. That is just my opinion. They likely know she is not alive.

 

[Sakura2Sophia4Lucia]

That might seem like good idea know and backfire at trial if someone is ever charged and brought to trial.

Yes, and that's a good point. Everything that LE is doing needs to follow procedures in order to get a conviction. JMO

 

[stmichael]

How can this have been "politically motivated"?

I don't really see that either. SG seems quite a milquetoast figure on the political spectrum. I don't know a single thing she is known for regarding any vocal political positions. I just don't associate her with that.

And if that was the point one would imagine more of a public discourse in the media taunting or sending an agenda. Instead we got a guarded ransom letter sent to TMZ and a couple of local stations. I just don't see SG as being that motivating to someone in that regard, though it is not unheard of talking heads getting stalkers (female anchor women in particular). But I suppose when dealing with whackos; "who knows?"

 

[BigCityAccountant]

Agree that regardless of where we are all in the political spectrum, we could see that somehow this may be politically motivated. JMO

I don't believe there is any political connection. IMO, if there was, the ransom note would have included a clue to political motive. The perp would want their political message to be heard far and wide and we are not seeing that in this case.

 

[moxiemom]

I don't believe there is any political connection. IMO, if there was, the ransom note would have included a clue to political motive. The perp would want their political message to be heard far and wide and we are not seeing that in this case.

Disagree, but Hopefully we will find out....

 

[birdbox]

How can this have been "politically motivated"?

Some might say because she was a journalist.

 

[TheDinks]

Brian Entin evening update: Cece Moore and a Pima County Sheriff (active but not on the case)

What I've heard from a bunch of senior officers working for Pima County, past and present, I am absolutely gobsmacked! My post is NOT LE bashing it is against Nanos only! Not just one opinion, 2, or 3... I've heard multiple officers eloquently describing the awful working situation there. Anyone that speaks out seems to face retaliation, eg this Sergeant speaking of his 20 something years experience - moved to answering phones due to his Union affiliation and all but 1 Union member voting against Nanos. EGO comes up time and time again... I tell you, he has all but destroyed the department and the lack of manpower (staffing issues) appears to be down to the Sheriff. I said it before... he is Done!

 

[Sakura2Sophia4Lucia]

In my humble opinion, the ‘one bitcoin ‘ ransom note writer, who claims to know who the kidnappers are, is passing along information and softening it, as they feel some loyalty and guilt to the party they are passing along information about. Eg it was not supposed to be a kidnapping, just a robbery gone wrong. To keep him talking this information is being passed along to the public to show that they are taking him seriously. I think the new video today was SG talking to this guy, saying we need thr name and location. It is not to late to pass this information along. That is just my opinion. They likely know she is not alive.

I agree. SG wants her mother back. She likely believes that NG isn't alive but I think she has communicated all along that she wants NG back so she can have peace. IMO FBI experts in hostage negotiation and kidnapping have told LE to adjust their messaging to saying NG is likely alive and this is a burglary gone wrong. This new messaging may help locate the perpetrators and also help SG keep in conversation with this guy and bring her mother home. JMO

 

[flakesofsnow]

Guy came prepared to leave with a body.
Blood shows he left with a body.
Tries to hide motive by sending fake ransom messages to familiar outlets.

 

[thefragile7393]

I don't really see that either. SG seems quite a milquetoast figure on the political spectrum. I don't know a single thing she is known for regarding any vocal political positions. I just don't associate her with that.

And if that was the point one would imagine more of a public discourse in the media taunting or sending an agenda. Instead we got a guarded ransom letter sent to TMZ and a couple of local stations. I just don't see SG as being that motivating to someone in that regard, though it is not unheard of talking heads getting stalkers (female anchor women in particular). But I suppose when dealing with whackos; "who knows?"

It’s been mentioned before about the flack she got during her moderation of a presidential debate. Online-there have been many horrid comments from one side that still holds that grudge seemingly. One does not have to be a polarizing figure on either side to gather hate IMO

IMO it’s as valid as a theory as almost anything else that’s been spoken of here.

 

[MesquiteO21]

I'm out of date with this case, but the "burglary gone wrong" theory just seems wrong unless they did no research and/or got the wrong house? A woman in her 80s would definitely be at home during the time the person came to the door. In fact, if they expected her to be out, why bother _going_ to the door?

Burglary doesn’t necessarily involve theft like a robbery so…her being home was probably the point either really was a kidnapping for ransom or they specifically wanted to do something to her

I agree tho going to the door is odd. Looking directly into the camera is odd. Not being in a hurry to get into the house is odd. The blood by the door still bothers me, I just really don’t understand why there wouldn’t be drag marks or smears.

Since we really don’t know much, I’m not sure what to make of it all. Hoping there are answers soon.

moo