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

[TheDinks]

Sorry, I haven't been able to read every post, is it correct that a pacemaker can continue to send a signal even if someone has passed away? My google search says yes it can, but just checking as I know there are some on here who had alot of knowledge in this area

My understanding is the pacemaker still sends signals but at the same time app has heart monitoring too and, if in range, would notify flatline.

 

[jepop]

I've lurked around and researched old threads on here for awhile but I've never been able to jump on WHILE a case was unfolding.

This is a wild situation. Personally, I'm starting to think the ransom/kidnapping & disappearance are two different crimes being committed, with the ransom for a kidnap return just being someone attempting to take a really unsavory advantage of a sad situation.

Something I saw mentioned a ways back, who knows how far, but sexual assaults on elderly women do happen more than we'd like to think they would. Elderly women don't strike people as "sexually appealing" but we know rape isn't about sex, it's a violent crime of power. For someone who maybe has not previously acted on their desire, an 84 year old woman with a pacemaker and mobility issues is a bit of a "wounded gazelle" in terms of potential victims. Not saying that this is the case here, obviously JMOO but a beginner predator who perhaps had previously encountered NG (whether tangentially known as someone who worked on the home or for NG) may have entered with one crime in mind, a sexual assault, and the next thing you know, between being off balance and blood thinners, bad heart, etc. suddenly someone is deceased...it would not shock me at this point. But the timing of that first ransom demand, the repeat with no new demands, and then ultimately sending it to TMZ? I think that may truly be a different sicko taking advantage of a sad situation.

I'm just a semi regular reader here but try to keep up. Your post, unfortunately, resonates and mostly explains why I feel this theory, terrible as it is, is at least a possibility given info so far (or lack thereof).

No crystal ball ofcourse. I only hope that LE collection and analysis of CCTV and neighbourhood camera footage might reveal a vehicle of interest ( at the time of the crime and maybe in days prior) down the line. Jmo

 

[txsleuth70]

I don't know much about the damage to AG's car, is there a photo of it? Is it the sort of damage that looks like a vehicular accident or lower damage that might come from say off-terrain driving?

CMIIW but damage was hypothesized by a poster here as a reason for her car being taken. That was not a statement made by LE or reported as seen by anyone AFAIK

 

[ms_x_to_the_m]

I sure hope they have searched her car fully, including the trunk.
This is starting to look like its going to be closer to home.

 

[Cassie P]

They know it is a targeted incident with no risk to the wider public. I hear your frustrations about LE, but you are assuming this is an unsophisticated actor. For all we know, this could be a highly sophisticated state attack (pure speculation to illustrate the point the perps are not standard kidnappers).

I have wondered the same thing. It should be on the list of possibilities.

 

[KrisCo16]

Latest update:

https://twitter.com/x/status/2020352881329831974

This must mean a warrant was issued then, right?

 

[MassGuy]

Plus, don't both the phone and the watch likely have functioning GPS? So if they were syncing with her pacemaker but at a location other than her home, wouldn't the devices' location services make that known? MOO

That's exactly what I'm driving at. Once they had that data, things would have turned much faster than they did.

 

[cady]

Went to the house twice. First time to fake a drop off. Second time, they removed watch and took the rest of belongings to stage a kidnapping event?

I guess I'm avoiding thinking that she was injured or killed at AG's because then AG is implicated.........................

 

[SRWCF]

Yeah I am still leaning towards the ransom demanders being a super disgusting opportunistic individual(s). The timing of that first demand just feels awfully...off.

But the authorities are treating it as legit. Either that or LE is letting NG's kids believe that it's legit so that they have time to gather needed evidence. I never thought I'd say this, but I'm starting to have some suspicions...

 

[LRinCA]

Sorry, I haven't been able to read every post, is it correct that a pacemaker can continue to send a signal even if someone has passed away? My google search says yes it can, but just checking as I know there are some on here who had alot of knowledge in this area

From what I just read, yes, it is possible. I posted about it a few minutes ago.

 

[MassGuy]

This must mean a warrant was issued then, right?

No question. You don't want to ask to search and then risk someone revoking consent.

 

[Wsimm]

I have one and it is clear when I take it off. And also would say where I did so. Electronics that monitor so much are hard to trick folks with. Jmo

Very good information! I’m now thinking the watch was removed precisely at the front door. Maybe the hasty removal caused a sinking tear?

 

[browneyes]

I believe the ransom is a separate matter.

Agreed and I believe she was home when the pacemaker stopped syncing with her phone. She was taken out the front door (blood) and sadly she may know her kidnapper in light of tonight’s events.

 

[Magic8Ball]

Latest update:

https://twitter.com/x/status/2020352881329831974

So, there's no way LE is inside that house taking pictures and walking around right now without a warrant in hand, right?

 

[Beans]

I just read this:

Yes, pacemakers may continue sending electrical signals even after death, as they are not designed to recognize when a person has passed.

https://www.myrhythmdevice.org/living-with-a-cardiac-device/end-of-life/

Yep, they often have to be manually switched off after the person passes. That's why I think LE's language was interesting - they only ever mention the disconnect - and that's probably only relevant in terms of her proximity to devices. There should be other data from the pacemaker and app that tells them much more about her actual physical condition at various points prior to that. Plus the apple devices will have plenty to say about location, presumably.

 

[DizzyB]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2020354818787930416

If Brian says they’re taking photos, I believe him. Looks like I’m staying awake a little longer. If this were big, wouldn’t there be more of a LE presence?

 

[birdbox]

So how do pacemakers work? If someone was smashed in the head or poisoned, when would the pacemaker stop working?

(I have no clue.)

ETA: I didn't see @LRinCA 's post as we were posting at the same time. Thanks for that!

No pacemaker would still send signals, just wouldn't cause heart to beat

 

[cathathorse]

And her pacemaker disconnecting after that.

Like you can visualize this going down by the events, and it just doesn't work if she's not there.

Especially with the pacemaker.

I think it can work, it is just far fetched and/or crazy coincidence or luck by the people staging it.

 

[Warwick7]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2020354818787930416

 

[Vaderman]

For clarity: If they are currently treating AG's house as a crime scene (or at the least, investigating it now) what would be the purpose of including her in the two videos asking for Nancy's release? Is there any precedence here?