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

[EJB123456]

First we couldn’t believe it took them so long to call 911 which didn’t end up being true. And now there is an hour between the parishioner call to the family and then heading over there

 

[Deleted member 117884]

we need a break in the case

 

[turaj]

She was very adamant about it. Definitely didn’t seem confused or like she misinterpreted something. She claimed her source was very high up in law enforcement and she stated that over and over. & she’s not known to be “sensational” or irresponsible, so this is very odd for her.

now that Maureen O thinks the same there could be something to this. Their sources know much more.

 

[Fromeaster]

I guess Nancy did whatever she wanted and didn't ask her children.

 

[steff13]

To each his own... I would never let my hubby take my mom home without me going with. WHY? Because it's MY MOM! I won't elaborate further

Maybe it was a protectiveness thing - maybe he didn't want wife driving after dark. I don't want to stereotype people, but I do think that there's a general understanding that Italian people are very family-oriented and the men are particularly protective of their families. So it could just be how he was raised, that he felt like it was appropriate for him to take her home.

 

[HoveringWombats]

First we couldn’t believe it took them so long to call 911 which didn’t end up being true. And now there is an hour between the parishioner call to the family and then heading over there

I think it's really important to notice that the call from the church friend appears nowhere on the official timeline. That doesn't mean it didn't happen, but I don't think that we can just interleave events from the official timeline and from other sources and assume we have an accurate picture.

 

[turaj]

we need a break in the case

I assume the next presser will be when they have that break or find her.

 

[Pharmasgirl]

I don't think that's entirely true, i'm sorry. There are many different layers of men in Italy, as there are in every other country.
Just as women don't like to be typecast, as goes for men

Don't ever judge a book by it's a cover! Met a guy years ago (born in Mpls, then from Tucson), who was a motivational speaker hired by Top 100 firms to speak around the world on this exact topic & bullying. He was FULLY tattooed, including bullet piercings everywhere (he bared to show). To see him walking down the street was a scary sight <modsnip>. Scary smart, highly educated and one of the nicest people you'd ever want to meet...

 

[Sadi]

I can’t buy into the ransom thing.
I believe the person that took her may be the person that wrote the note but only did so as a red herring. I believe the cops think the same thing.

I’m trying to figure out why would they offer two different dates for the money to be deposited? Yes, it would take time for the family to do this, but why not have Monday as the date only? I’m not convinced the ransom demand is real. LE/FBI etc. have more knowledge about this situation and for obvious reasons, they are not sharing information with us. Maybe they’re watching someone’s movements (physically/electronically) and trying to get them to make contact with the family? Say the family pays the money, what happens next? Where and how would N be dropped off without being seen? She would be able to give details of who she was with (known or unknown person to her) and they would likely be caught, so why risk it? The family has nothing to lose by paying the ransom other than it being a huge financial loss, but no reassurance N is alive, no proof as of yet. I like to have a positive outlook on life, but I don’t believe N is alive and have shared my opinions why. I think something is going to break in the case in the near future, maybe today, but before Monday an arrest will be announced. I don’t know anything more about this case than anyone else, it’s just my personal thoughts.

 

[Justice101]

My opinions only:

What are the chances that Nancy Guthrie is still alive? <20%

What are the chances the one responsible was a healthcare person, gardener, maid, electrician, etc? 40%

What are the chances the one responsible was a family member? 60%

What are the chances the police and FBI will eventually solve this case? 80%

When do I think a person(s) will be arrested? Within the next 10 days.

 

[EJB123456]

I think it's really important to notice that the call from the church friend appears nowhere on the official timeline. That doesn't mean it didn't happen, but I don't think that we can just interleave events from the official timeline and from other sources and assume we have an accurate picture.

Agreed! Especially when first reports were that she was dropped off around 9:30 and it ended up being closer to 9:50!

 

[Cassie P]

I understand where your professor was coming from. I am a data nerd, I love it and the patterns that emerge from it. I apply data patterns to “typical” human behaviors and then gather as much info on the main players to inform interpretation of the unknowns. My amateur skill is aerial mapping and predicting recovery sites based on known factors. In this case, (if this is recovery) it will be extremely difficult with the vast desert. But I do know this. Perps rarely go far with a deceased soul in their vehicle. Sorry to be so creepy. I pray this dear lady is still on this side.

Amateur opinion and speculation

Yes I have hobbies too where I examine large amounts of data to answer questions and solve problems. Pattern analysis is part of the process, some people have a knack for it.

So are you of the opinion that if the victim was killed in the home, the perp would dispose of the body quickly? Yes this of course makes sense. Driving around with a dead body in your car is not a good idea.

And you are also saying that the desert is a likely disposal site? And it would be very difficult to find the body in such a vast stretch of land?

I think we have to face reality about this situation. Every hour that goes by decreases the likelihood of the vicim being found alive. She is elderly with health conditions. We don't know if she is being fed, or receiving adequate liquids to keep her hydrated. In addition she is under a great deal of stress and may have been injured when she was removed from the home.

 

[Curiousobserver]

I used to get nose bleeds as a child. Looked EXACTLY like nose bleed droplets. One big drop would hit the ground and splatter to make a bunch of tiny little pinhead sized droplets. I remember the tiny spray ones because they would sometimes splattering on my folded white socks.

Myself and my daughter both suffered- this is exactly what that looks like.

My daughter could make it look like a murder scence when she had a bloody nose.

 

[turaj]

Uber if ALL people at the party had been drinking. Uber is a good option.

I just don't think a family dinner followed by games with some having a glass or two of wine means everyone takes Ubers home. This was not some big drinking event. Seriously we don't even know if they had wine.

 

[thefragile7393]

I was trained as a scientist and (mental health) clinician. I remember one professor constantly telling us to always stick to the data. "Stay close to your data and you will not go wrong."

Even PhD scientists can have a pet theory and discard/ignore data that refutes it. Then they end up having to discard parts of their theory or tossing the whole thing out. Wasting a lot of time and resources in the process.

Yes lay people have a hard time wrapping their heads around criminal psychopathy. Lay people of course think like normal people who follow the law. People who have worked in mental health, LE, courts are not surprised at deviant behavior, they work with it every day.

Very well said and you're absolutely correct on all accounts

 

[Deleted member 117884]

First we couldn’t believe it took them so long to call 911 which didn’t end up being true. And now there is an hour between the parishioner call to the family and then heading over there

Let's say you get a call out of the blue on a Sunday morning. It would take more than a second to get to mom's house. You'd likely call your mom yourself, call siblings, call the housekeeper. That takes a few minutes. You might not be dressed so you have to do that. Your child might need caring for, so you need to arrange that. Were you on your way to soccer practice or lunch with friends - that needs to be re-arranged.

Now that I think about, we don't know where the family was when they got the 11am call, I don't think. Maybe they were not home?

Then you need to drive to the house.

That all takes some time that can be accounted for without it being nefarious.

We don't know enough.

jmo

 

[dogmom805]

People are giving too much attention to the fact he drove his MIL home after dinner and not the fact that the Italian guy was the designated driver for an evening dinner with wine. If something here is out of the ordinary it's this.

Also, If she ubered there why not uber home? Except for the dark and safety.

 

[CrimeDawg123]

If the ransom-note writer is legit, why hasn't he contacted the family since the note?

jmopinion

I think because Nancy is not with him - either he killed her or he never had her in the first place (he's a scammer). He has the upper hand and can afford to just wait and see if the family gives the ransom. Making further contact gives LE more potential for finding his identity.

 

[IceIce9]

She must have been bossy and wanted to be independent, unfortunately...

I don’t think it is “bossy” to want to maintain your independence.

JMO

 

[Curiousobserver]

First we couldn’t believe it took them so long to call 911 which didn’t end up being true. And now there is an hour between the parishioner call to the family and then heading over there

Because what is missing IMHO is that they tried to call her in between, and then they went over when they couldn't reach her.

Kidnapping is not the first thing your mind would jump to. They expected to see her there.