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

[Data Sleuth]

Yes, I agree, hard to believe he wasn’t caught on a camera. He definitely had a car! He must have thought of this, he thought of a lot of other details! JMO
I get the impression NGs neighborhood, and maybe a lot of Tucson, are very interested in keeping the Wild West Wild! Dark sky, privacy rights, desert terrain, etc.

Wild West, Privacy rights? => hardly any cameras, hard to track a getaway car, catch criminals.
(Locals have said yes, lots of break ins in the high end Foothill area. Locals said Tucson has crime and cartels, so don’t know why not more cameras). IMO
Dark sky, great observatories stargazing=> very dark, criminals can act, cover of darkness.
Native plants, desert foliage=>rough terrain, lots of places to hide someone, hard to search.

I’m just trying to understand the mentality of few cameras, in an area where locals said there is a fair amount of crime.

JMO

Interesting perspective, however when you state that “he definitely had a car” you are asserting that indeed it was a male, rather than a female and that there is evidence that an automobile was used in the crime. Is there video evidence to support this claim?

 

[OldPueblo]

Yes, I agree, hard to believe he wasn’t caught on a camera. He definitely had a car! He must have thought of this, he thought of a lot of other details! JMO
I get the impression NGs neighborhood, and maybe a lot of Tucson, are very interested in keeping the Wild West Wild! Dark sky, privacy rights, desert terrain, etc.

Wild West, Privacy rights? => hardly any cameras, hard to track a getaway car, catch criminals.
(Locals have said yes, lots of break ins in the high end Foothill area. Locals said Tucson has crime and cartels, so don’t know why not more cameras). IMO
Dark sky, great observatories stargazing=> very dark, criminals can act, cover of darkness.
Native plants, desert foliage=>rough terrain, lots of places to hide someone, hard to search.

I’m just trying to understand the mentality of few cameras, in an area where locals said there is a fair amount of crime.

JMO

I agree there was a car, not a long hike through the desert, off-road vehicle, or gondola ride.

I'm curious now to look at actual Tucson crime stats to see if there really are lots of break-ins in that area? I'm not even sure there a lot of break-ins in my much lower-end neighborhood, but perhaps I'm willfully deluded ... I also don't doubt cartel presence in Tucson but I'd guess most people who live here would never expect it to touch their lives.

My feeling re: a Wild West ideology is that people in Tucson ... as opposed to a city like Phoenix ... embrace living within the Sonoran Desert and its native plants and wildlife. And embrace living in the border region with its cultural diversity. Not a "Wild West" ideology in the historical, Hollywood sense.

There's a sense here, and it's been said, that Tucson is the largest small town in the US. So there may be dueling perceptions, and sadly, sometimes there are horrific wakeup calls ... I hope we'll have better context for all this at some point, and sooner rather than later.

 

[Cassie P]

I see what you’re saying, but if you are on the prowl for a profitable target, you see an 84 year old who lives alone in a million $+ home. You’re not going to research how long she lived there, how much the house cost when she bought it. You drive through the neighborhood and say to yourself, “Rich people live here.” “This person is an easy target.”

BBM

Robbery is a business crime. Robbers with a business plan consisting of "rich people live here" and "old people are easy targets" seem opportunistic, with no well thought out plan, little thought given to consequences, impulsive. They want to pick up some quick cash, valuables, etc. Perhaps not very bright, or young, or drug involved?

I think this is a reasonable theory to put on the list. These kind of robbers may have panicked if NG woke up, fought them, died suddenly. They took off with the body to avoid murder charges.

Perhaps this kind of criminal discovered during the robbery that NG had a wealthy celebrity daughter and thought they could make a big pay day with a kidnapping. Again, not well thought out. It did not work out the way they hoped.

 

[maskedwoman]

Maybe I'm way off here, but I don't think we know anything about the wi-fi being jammed?

As far as I recall reading, the doorbell cam was removed from its mounting bracket and taken away by the perp, possibly damaging it first. It disconnected from her wi-fi either when damaged or when out of range.

Later, NG's pacemaker failed to sync with her phone, presumably because it/she was removed from the house while the phone remained there. So its reason for disconnecting was when it went out of range. (actually, I don't even know if the pacemaker-to-phone connection requires wi-fi -- it might be a direct connection or even Bluetooth I suppose)

That's all I recall hearing, nothing about her home wi-fi being jammed or turned off, at least not early enough to be the reason for any disconnections. Someone please correct me if this is wrong! MOO

I agree. I just was having trouble following the theory. I didn't see how the highway for both sets of data could the blocked and data still travel to one destination and not the other.

 

[thefragile7393]

Yes, I agree, hard to believe he wasn’t caught on a camera. He definitely had a car! He must have thought of this, he thought of a lot of other details! JMO
I get the impression NGs neighborhood, and maybe a lot of Tucson, are very interested in keeping the Wild West Wild! Dark sky, privacy rights, desert terrain, etc.

Wild West, Privacy rights? => hardly any cameras, hard to track a getaway car, catch criminals.
(Locals have said yes, lots of break ins in the high end Foothill area. Locals said Tucson has crime and cartels, so don’t know why not more cameras). IMO
Dark sky, great observatories stargazing=> very dark, criminals can act, cover of darkness.
Native plants, desert foliage=>rough terrain, lots of places to hide someone, hard to search.

I’m just trying to understand the mentality of few cameras, in an area where locals said there is a fair amount of crime.

JMO

The U of A has an astronomy program that's a major deal worldwide, hence the dark sky. I don't particularly like it because it makes driving at night in certain areas difficult due to jaywalkers being hard to see, but it is what it is. I personally would prefer brighter streetlights but no one asked what I wanted LOL.

Cartels? We don't have an issue with cartels. This isn't Sinaloa or something, regardless of how close to the border we are. We aren't run by them, they aren't a presence IMO from what I've known working in corrections. Their drugs are, but they aren't brought here by the actual members.

Crime? absolutely. Some areas have more concentrations of crime that others.
Where NG lives is not a high crime area. Even in low crime areas I'd say very few homes IMO don't have some sort of security or camera system, at least from what I've seen from friends who live in nicer areas.

 

[SaraSmile]

True. I don't begrudge them for saying it. I'm just saying in retrospect it probably wasn't a good idea. I don't feel like the Sheriff would have disclosed this if he had considered that this was a kidnapping/ransom scenario from the onset. I think he felt he had to disclose it as a standard "silver alert" type of public broadcast. Intentions were good, instincts not so much.

If a kidnapper knows that his victim may have a device implanted into her that could very well lead to her location, and perhaps even quickly, then that knowledge becomes an immediate existential threat. And so does the victim.

And if a Sheriff broadcasts that she needs meds to survive and has a pacemaker, then I imagine a kidnapper was expecting someone to have the same sense of urgency in responding affirmatively to his financial demand, and within the time, manner, and conditions that he chose. And when they didn't, he probably cut and run.

JMO.

That’s a very interesting take on the pacemaker issue( connectivity). I see what you are saying, very early on ( first or second day?) both SG and the Sheriff mentioned the pacemaker, NG’s fragile heart, meds. They were mainly pleading for extra care when taking care of NG, and the urgency to get her back. The mere mention of the pacemaker, and the known connectivity may have inadvertently ended the kidnapping/ ransom plot, and even NG’s very life!

What a twist. Instead of being extra careful, trying to deliver NG back whole, to get the ransom, the perp instead, freaked out about the trackability of a person with a pacemaker, couldn’t have the victim in close proximity to him, he could be busted. He had to abort plan. No value on human life.
JMO

 

[Cassie P]

For this reason, I’ve been puzzled by the choice of a bite light or whatever it was, rather than a head torch.

My head torch allows me to wave a hand up to the lamp to turn it on and off – no contact required. It’s rechargeable, lasts for hours, and is widely available. (I once used it for a long walk in the dark on unlit paths and was amazed at its effectiveness.)

Perhaps he used a bite light because it wasn’t very bright, and was less likely to be noticed. (Light from my head torch would be seen from a long way off.)

Perhaps he dropped the light straight into the backpack without handling it, and somehow managed to avoid loss of saliva.

BBM
I think you answered your own question Wibble. Head lamp is going to put out too much light for a nighttime clandestine crime?

 

[submarine7]

Interesting theory, sounds like something from the Mission Impossible movie series and a tactic that only highly trained cyber warfare folks could carry out. Not realistic to assume that street level criminals are that tech savvy.
My opinion only.

In my area thieves use wifi jammers. They are small and easy to use devises. I would be surprised if they aren't used everywhere by burglars.

 

[maskedwoman]

I haven't fully fleshed this idea out yet as I've only recently come around to the idea that the videos we've seen happen, presumably, just before 02:12am

But

If I had to guess, they have a device on them that jams the WiFi and they started jamming it at 01:47am which gave LE the 'disconnect' time they've made public but then maybe the WiFi jammer turned off by accident or on a default timer etc, letting the camera reach the internet and therefore the cloud allowing those videos get to Google.

Maybe that's why the perp seems a bit surprised by the camera, as he assumed it was offline but when he sees it again it appeared to be back online (from what I can tell the light on the doorbell would look different if it was online vs offline). So he grabs some nearby plants to cover the camera until he can turn the jammer back on

But I'm literally just making this up as I go along. It's all my very recently formed opinion

Huh, I just googled (I can't help myself) and learned that wi-fi jammers are illegal in the US and are mostly available on the black market. Definitely not Walmart, where he got his outfit. LOL Obviously, crooks know where to get them because thieves use them all over the place.

 

[wibbleflea]

BBM
I think you answered your own question Wibble. Head lamp is going to put out too much light for a nighttime clandestine crime?

Probably. Looking at the excellent screen grabs in this post by @diggndeeperstill made me think that the bite light may have been underneath the perp’s face mask. Not the ski mask but a face mask, underneath. Others have suggested the idea of a second mask many times upthread.

When the light is on, it may be shining through the thin face mask. When it’s off, we see a mouth and what look like teeth but what we’re seeing could be the type of mask that covers completely covers the wearer’s mouth. I say that because there’s no sign of a light being held in his mouth when that light is turned off.

Could all be my misinterpretation of the screen grabs.

 

[warp3dwing]

Interesting theory, sounds like something from the Mission Impossible movie series and a tactic that only highly trained cyber warfare folks could carry out. Not realistic to assume that street level criminals are that tech savvy.
My opinion only.

Believe it or not, lots of common criminals are using WiFi jammers. Don't take my word for it. Look it up.

 

[thefragile7393]

Huh, I just googled (I can't help myself) and learned that wi-fi jammers are illegal in the US and are mostly available on the black market. Definitely not Walmart, where he got his outfit. LOL Obviously, crooks know where to get them because thieves use them all over the place.

that's interesting, I had no idea they were illegal either. Fascinating

 

[Napoli]

In Savannah's Today Show hometown visit in November, she asks her mom what attracted her to Tucson/made her stay in Tucson after moving here in the 1970s, and NG says Tucson is a "gentle" place. SG's and NG's love for this place on earth is palpable and something so many people here feel and understand. This only feels more heartbreaking for that feeling among many who live here that Tucson is beautiful, kind, and "gentle," as NG said. IMO.

I'm not sure the best way to link to that video here so bear with me if it doesn't work ...

I noticed a couple of things that gave me a weird vibe Towards the beginning of the video, SG is seen in the desert. I wonder exactly where? Did perp study this video? Could perp HAVE PUT NG'S BODY THERE? When her mom went to drink out of the cup, SG said, don't drink the whole thing. Certainly something I would have thought they would have edited out..just odd. Someone said to SG you are a "daughter of the desert".

ugh... moo

 

[Rick7788]

Exactly right. These cameras don’t pick up cars in the dark when they’re in night mode and reliant on their own infrared lamps. The road is too distant for those lamps. If he drove in this area without headlights on, the footage could be useless. Someone who knew the area could do that, potentially. (Edited to add: on a full moon night, especially.)

And yet at least one did--on N. Camino Real.
I don't totally buy the setback theory. Somewhat. But not 100%.

ON NG's street--yes. But many of the houses on the getaway route there is less setback and ways to get creative with camera placement to mitigate either distance or vantage point issues.

I'm pretty sure the house that captured the video on N. Camino Real did not have the camera on the house. It looks to be a separate boxlike structure closer to the road. That can be done, but hardly anyone in that neighborhood has a camera, or if they do it's useless for street traffic. The residents can get creative and think outside the box to make the neighborhood safer.

As this vehicle that was caught on camera gets closer to East River Rd--there is a house on the rt side with a camera above their garage door with a small setback from the rd. Clear vantage point too and it is right before the big wind in the road where cars have to slow(25 mph posted speed limit) . Hopefully they have video and can get a better look of this car when it is presumably going slower than up the road.

 

[Bluewing3102]

I noticed a couple of things that gave me a weird vibe Towards the beginning of the video, SG is seen in the desert. I wonder exactly where? Did perp study this video? Could perp HAVE PUT NG'S BODY THERE? When her mom went to drink out of the cup, SG said, don't drink the whole thing. Certainly something I would have thought they would have edited out..just odd. Someone said to SG you are a "daughter of the desert".

ugh... moo

If this is a stalker perhaps they watched this episode and took the words for face value. In their sick obsessed mind they thought that the desert is SG favorite place and by bringing her mom there- they are somehow trying to appease her. Like a gift to the gods or something. Scary thought IMO

 

[Napoli]

Just a few questions. Why park a car, put on a stuffed backpack to disable one camera in an unprepared manner, go back to the car, take off the backpack (it's hard to drive or even be a passenger sitting with a full pack) and drive up? I found it difficult to find anywhere on the map where a car could park without sitting directly on the road or in someone's driveway (no public parking) I like the walkie-talkie idea as LE would know about phone use at the residence---but this implies at least two people a definite plan and most importantly--A place to take NG with facilities to keep her alive and hidden.

Question CAN WALKIE TALKIE CONVERSATIONS BE HEARD OVER A NETWORK?

ANSWER: Yes, someone can hear it over a radio scanner if they are tuned into the same network. They cannot be heard over WIFI or a phone network. So, imo, definite option here if this was a 2 man operation.

 

[wibbleflea]

And yet at least one did--on N. Camino Real.
I don't totally buy the setback theory. Somewhat. But not 100%.

ON NG's street--yes. But many of the houses on the getaway route there is less setback and ways to get creative with camera placement to mitigate either distance or vantage point issues.

I'm pretty sure the house that captured the video on N. Camino Real did not have the camera on the house. It looks to be a separate boxlike structure closer to the road. That can be done, but hardly anyone in that neighborhood has a camera, or if they do it's useless for street traffic. The residents can get creative and think outside the box to make the neighborhood safer.

As this vehicle that was caught on camera gets closer to East River Rd--there is a house on the rt side with a camera above their garage door with a small setback from the rd. Clear vantage point too and it is right before the big wind in the road where cars have to slow(25 mph posted speed limit) . Hopefully they have video and can get a better look of this car when it is presumably going slower than up the road.

What you’re saying is right. The houses near NG mostly don’t seem to have cameras located close enough to the street. This house on N Camino Real does. We don’t know if it will result in the unambiguous identification of a make and model of car, and whether that car was used by the perp. It may be a hint but they’d need to track that car (or use some other evidence) before having something viable in court. License plate readers would be great, but they seem scarce in that area. Mobile data may help. Local home cameras aren’t going to be as useful at night as they would be in other areas, though.

 

[submarine7]

Interesting perspective, however when you state that “he definitely had a car” you are asserting that indeed it was a male, rather than a female and that there is evidence that an automobile was used in the crime. Is there video evidence to support this claim?

It's a he we've all seen in the video and that gender is a part of the FBI description of the perp. He had to have transportation to get NG out of there.

 

[SMK777]

1.1 million dollar reward for a week or so now and still no arrest. Most would sell out their first born for that kind of cash. Only someone who doesn't need it and/or isn't interested in it..,

Agree, but now I realize that if that reward had been offered in those first days, yes, someone would sell someone else out for that money.

At this point after weeks of this massive and hugely costly investigation, massive news and online coverage, FBI director and the President publicly involved and interested… There is no way the person seeking reward won’t get caught up in accusations or charges for something -like “accessory after the fact” for helping person not get caught or for not coming forward earlier, their whole life will likely will be investigated too, there might be efforts (even by officials instructing the family) to not pay them if they had any connection to anything - even concealing evidence or whatever. I guess I’m realizing anyone that actually “knows” what happened and who did it might not just walk away freely with a reward.

No, but many a person has been granted immunity if they can lead investigators to the ring master. And yet that doesn't seem to be happening here, either.

 

[Data Sleuth]

Believe it or not, lots of common criminals are using WiFi jammers. Don't take my word for it. Look it up.

I took your advice and looked it up, based on the attachment it sounds like it is not as wide spread as the mass media makes it sound.
Only very tech savvy criminals are able to deploy this technology, and even at that with limited success.
My opinion, based on research is that wi-fi jamming was not utilized in NG’s home.

Wi-Fi Jammers and Home Security: Here's What's Behind This Burglar Tech

Jamming attacks on home security are possible -- but are they really happening? Here are all the facts.

www.cnet.com