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

[cherryleaf]

Good idea, but I think it’s too late for the ransom guys to get $, too incriminating, it would lead to their capture.
I can’t wait until we actually see the ransom notes.

JMO

I hash this case around in my mind a lot. I sometimes think that the perp may have left some type of a message on one of her video cameras expecting it to be found. But they didn’t know that she didnt have a subscription , so it wasn’t saved on anything and maybe that’s why media was contacted so long after her disappearance. Idk . moo

 

[maskedwoman]

If the motive is financial and the ransom demand now clearly a bust, and Nancy is still alive, and the perp is as intelligent as it seems (sometimes), then why not:

1) have mom or dad or spouse or child setup an interest bearing trust
2) confess to them
3) they turn him in
4) they return Nancy
5) collect 1.1 million
6) serve 15 years
7) retire

This is a big reason I no longer think she is still alive, because surely if he tried to scam 6 million dollars from them he'd also try to scam 1.1 million that would probably be worth 6 million in 15 years, no? And heck, if she was still alive he'd probably get a plea deal for half of that if he plead guilty and filled in the details. So what's to lose?

Personally, I'd rather spend 7-15 in jail than 7-15 always looking over my shoulder.

JMO.

That a really interesting and unique idea. But it's not legal to keep a ransom. And, there is apparently a federal law that states receiving, possessing, or disposing of money known to have been paid as ransom gets you imprisoned for 10 years. Plus, I think that would make that person an accessory after the fact?

Google Search

 

[ogold45]

That a really interesting and unique idea. But it's not legal to keep a ransom. And, there is apparently a federal law that states receiving, possessing, or disposing of money known to have been paid as ransom gets you imprisoned for 10 years. Plus, I think that would make that person an accessory after the fact?

Google Search

Not a ransom, the 1.1 million would be the reward money.

 

[emigrate]

Clearly he's unstable. Whoever he is and whatever his motive. He kidnapped an 84 y.o lady. I dont think he is capable of a normal life. Certainly, not for long. He probably has NEVER had a "normal" life. I am NOT ruling out that NG is still alive. Maybe 20% chance. I do not believe murder was his plan. Blood thinners and injury could do her in but I dont think he planned to murder her...JMO

I wonder if he could be a serial or if this was his first rodeo?

 

[SlimPickens]

Bring in the clowns. Carnival atmosphere will be perpetuated as this is prolonged...for awhile at least. One practical point. This is an unoccupied dwelling. VERY difficult to get home owners insurance. Thus, another reason to beef up the security cameras, perhaps erect a privacy fence etc. Generally, the insurance companies don't want to insure these places. Add in a location that will draw gawkers, souvenir hunters, selfie takers, mezzo sopranos (lol) and you have risk for all kinds of liability. Unoccupied primary dwellings are a red flag for most insurers. That contingent of suits the other day at the house could have very well had an insurance representative there also, to assess for damage done during the incident as well as future risk. risk. JMO

Very true, but this isn't legally an unoccupied dwelling unless or until there is confirmation that no one lives there/will live there. At this point we're praying for a miracle, and that that doesn't happen anytime soon.

JMO.

 

[maskedwoman]

True, but silver looks light and bright on a B/W night vision Nest camera. As does white. Light colors (blues/greens/etc) would appear light too, but duller.

JMO.

I see where you are going! It's not quite the same as infared, but I can remember watching B/W tv with my grandmother. We could always tell when something was red. There was just something different about the way that it looked on screen.

 

[SlimPickens]

That a really interesting and unique idea. But it's not legal to keep a ransom. And, there is apparently a federal law that states receiving, possessing, or disposing of money known to have been paid as ransom gets you imprisoned for 10 years. Plus, I think that would make that person an accessory after the fact?

Google Search

Not the ransom, the reward. A mere technicality in my example, but one that should shield from those types of laws.

JMO.

 

[girlhasnoname]

I think it's a practical move. This frenzy cannot be sustained. They have had massive coverage in the media, both LE and family. The videos have been made available. The DNA has been collected with possibly other samples in the pipeline. Coverage for certainly 2-3 weeks was 24/7 on Fox and then slowly started to be a teaser, instead. Rewards have been offered, videos seen (if they had more of the perp, we would see them),FBI agents and others still have to tend to other cases as they develop. So, some will be reassigned. Work will continue behind the scenes and we will be informed on a need to know basis. BOLO will be broadcast if they have some huge lead like a certain car with a partial plate number or a new glimpse of the perp.
I still maintain that there was never a huge outcry for batten down the hatches, armed and dangerous man on the loose. They have an idea this was absolutely targeted. JMO

SG may be planning a return to TV. This pause in wall to wall coverage could actually help her settle back into life or at least give her some semblance of a respite. MOO

I don't see SG returning to TV for a while. The emotional toll she's experiencing, and if the offender is not caught, may cause her and her family to be extra security conscious.

What a terrible, horrible position to be in, which ultimately makes me wonder if this could have been done by someone wanting to bring as much pain to SG in particular as possible? I find it more than ironic that Nancy and SG had just done that TV segment on Tucson in late November. Could have started a demented mind to begin planning.

On the other hand it could as easily be some local BE/Drug preying on elderly woman who live alone. The biggest thing that throws me here is WHY, WHY, WHY would they have taken Nancy if not for ransom? If it were strictly a BE or SA, leaving her there would have made pulling this off so much easier.

My head hurts from beating it against the wall on this one.

JMO

 

[Nikynoo]

It looks like it would have been so much easier to not even go near the front door. The blue door in the back-do you think that goes into the garage or accesses the house? Most people that I know with garages lock them but leave the door inside the garage unlocked into the house.

At least a two man job, with a car coming to the house at the end, maybe? Someone posited early on that the backpack contained supplies for a person to be staying outside for a while and hiking/walking in.

My thinking is that Nancys bedroom is nearer the front door than the back exit? Which also makes me think, if there was a vehicle involved why not park it near the back exit/ garage side ? Less chances of being seen from the road maybe? IMO the choice of exit is directly linked to Nancys mobility during the event.

 

[Jade]

It probably IS nice for families. Not so much for the elderly. Good lighting lreduces the risk of two major threats: criminal targeting and accidental falls. If you are elderly you need proper illumination of pathways, stairs, and entryways to prevent trips and falls.

Residents can have outdoor lighting as long as it is in code.

...
Turn on outside lights Only When Needed, use timers and motion sensors.

Keep ALL Outdoor lights shining Downward, no light above the horizontal.

Use the Right Amount of light for the task at hand, more is not better.

Use light sources (lamps) under 3,500K (warmer colors) for ALL outside lights
...
Southern Arizona Chapter Of The International DarkSky Association – "Light Pollution" – The Only Pollution that Costs More to Perpetuate than to Eliminate!

https://content.civicplus.com/api/a...-tucson-pima-county-outdoor-lighting-code.pdf

Basically codes don’t allow light to escape in to the sky and no light trespass on to neighboring properties.
The warmer lighting is more effective for safety since it provides enhanced contrast and depth perception.

...
Amber LED lighting, with color temperatures typically around 1800K to 2200K, offers an excellent solution for exterior applications.

• Enhanced Visibility and Safety: Contrary to popular belief, warmer lighting can actually improve visibility (when compared to cooler color temperatures) by reducing the possibility of glare. The softer illumination provided by warmer color temperatures, especially amber LEDs, enhances contrast and depth perception, making outdoor spaces safer and more comfortable.
• ...

Warmer Lights, Better Nights - Barton Associates, Inc. - Consulting Engineers




all imo

 

[Napoli]

I wonder if he could be a serial or if this was his first rodeo?

First rodeo, imo. . He's possibly a shrinking violet, unobtrusive, attachment issues..a loner..you know the type...Someone's cousin who always shows up at family events by himself. That getup he was wearing was an expression of his alter ego. JMO

 

[cathathorse]

I don't see SG returning to TV for a while. The emotional toll she's experiencing, and if the offender is not caught, may cause her and her family to be extra security conscious.

What a terrible, horrible position to be in, which ultimately makes me wonder if this could have been done by someone wanting to bring as much pain to SG in particular as possible? I find it more than ironic that Nancy and SG had just done that TV segment on Tucson in late November. Could have started a demented mind to begin planning.

On the other hand it could as easily be some local BE/Drug preying on elderly woman who live alone. The biggest thing that throws me here is WHY, WHY, WHY would they have taken Nancy if not for ransom? If it were strictly a BE or SA, leaving her there would have made pulling this off so much easier.

My head hurts from beating it against the wall on this one.

JMO

I think in the end we will find out if wasn't some sophisticated criminal or someone who so carefully planned not to leave their DNA. It will be someone who just got lucky. It could be someone who was on drugs or drunk-- someone with a huge substance abuse problem who has obliterated the logical parts of their brain. I wouldn't be surprised if it ends up being someone like that guy who was driving by last night-- the one who was arrested in front of her house... I don't think it's him but it could be someone like him-- a totally random person who no one is suspecting. And the ransom notes were just another opportunist not involved in the kidnapping.

I think we also forget that they can't swab every single surface in the house for DNA and microscopically go over the crime scene and find a hair that was left behind... it is likely that this suspect did leave some minute traces of himself behind but that it wasn't discovered.

 

[wibbleflea]

No i corrected my post, this is the first presser i believe.

Watching that again, more than three weeks later, the thing that stood out was hearing the sheriff talk about waiting on the results from license plate readers. That early optimism didn't pan out, clearly, or hasn't so far.

 

[JustATech]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2027401805336867257

I believe this is the guy BE refers to having been arrested for DUI on NG's street.

 

[TIGER0822]

The object in the suspect's right hand jacket pocket looks similar to a walkie talkie antenna. Ozark Trails (Walmart again) has a model that looks like it could be a match.

Smart to avoid carrying phones! Thecreepy door guy (s) are no bumbling got lucky idiots. They evaded cameras! Drove fast past them. Hid cars from view Possibly took a walkie talkie! Did not leave ‘easy’ DNA . Are not in CODIS. Stole the camera. Avoided ransom note detection to date. Did not leave / hide NG in a place findable to date. JMO.

 

[dub]

This may have already been covered as I haven’t had time to go through the threads this morning and only have a minute atm, apologies if so.

But I think that car in the video is a Lexus RX. I’m like 75% sure. If you’ve never seen one before look it up - I’d post a picture if I had more time, sorry again.

 

[stmichael]

First rodeo, imo. . He's possibly a shrinking violet, unobtrusive, attachment issues..a loner..you know the type...Someone's cousin who always shows up at family events by himself. That getup he was wearing was an expression of his alter ego. JMO

So he's a creature of Walmart?

 

[SlimPickens]

I don't see SG returning to TV for a while. The emotional toll she's experiencing, and if the offender is not caught, may cause her and her family to be extra security conscious.

What a terrible, horrible position to be in, which ultimately makes me wonder if this could have been done by someone wanting to bring as much pain to SG in particular as possible? I find it more than ironic that Nancy and SG had just done that TV segment on Tucson in late November. Could have started a demented mind to begin planning.

On the other hand it could as easily be some local BE/Drug preying on elderly woman who live alone. The biggest thing that throws me here is WHY, WHY, WHY would they have taken Nancy if not for ransom? If it were strictly a BE or SA, leaving her there would have made pulling this off so much easier.

My head hurts from beating it against the wall on this one.

JMO

Agree. And if this is about a deranged stalker she may never return to TV.

If not a stalker, a random crime, or obtaining a ransom, another possible theory is that this could be something like a son exacting revenge over an old grudge held by his aggrieved elderly mom who, like Nancy, has lived in that area for decades.

Could also be something like a prior road rage incident and someone not being able to let it go. Lord knows we've seen some violent reactions from folks over the years. Usually those occur in real time, but some folks are more passive aggressive ruminating types who (over time) exaggerate the (perceived) slight to the point of exacting revenge.

TLDR: To quote the poet Jim Morrison - People are Strange.

JMO.

 

[GussiedCanoodler]

Sorry if this has been addressed, but did anything ever come of the footage from a ring camera of a man on someone else’s front porch a few miles away from NG? Not the person throwing the backpack over the wall, the person who looked like the sketch that the prior FBI profiler drew

 

[Chainspell]

View this content on Instagram

View this content on Instagram

Savannah posted this on her instagram about 20ish minutes ago.