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

[mikeshanty]

Good evening to all. I have been following the thread since it started and find many interesting points being made. As an older person (who lives with husband and youngest son) we are very safety conscious, and this story is very alarming, but not just because the victim is the mother of a celebrity.

I would just like to offer some thoughts I've been mulling over in the time I've been reading the thread:

1) No one can guarantee 100% that Ms. Guthrie, regardless of her high-profile career, has the ability to disburse the sort of money being demanded as ransom. The family has probably been advised to NOT pay too quickly, but time has become of the essence.
2) Reading too much into body language from any of the siblings is a tricky proposition. Not only are they under duress, but they also are probably dealing with the confusing feelings that stem from thorough searches of one of their homes.
3) It seems that local law enforcement (and I believe it is their jurisdiction and the FBI wouldn't take over the investigation completely, only in an advisory capacity...please feel free to correct me on this point) is far from experienced in this sort of scenario.
4) Perhaps there are several sources demanding ransom money, or claiming to have information. I don't think that a Mexican drug cartel would involve itself in this sort of operation within the US so I would, personally, discount that theory.
5) If there is a family member (or several) involved in perpetrating this crime, the likelihood that there is a much more delicate touch in terms of moving the process forward (for fear of what more could happen to other family members, perhaps?) is called for.
6) While "civilian journalists" (is that what one would call the people who conduct YouTube investigative incursions?) might move the needle forward, and while Ms. Banfield and Ms. Kelly, etc. might discuss the matter based on "sources" they have gathered in their meanderings, all that should be considered speculation and, it would seem to me, disruptive to the process. Go to LE first and THEN publish, is what I would say makes more sense, but I'm just a grandma who reads and observes through the sensibilities of my generation, not this new one.

I apologize if I come across as a terrible fuddy-duddy, but I think a lot of the speculative information is causing more harm than good at this moment. That it's done for "clicks", "ratings", "views" -to me, at least- feels like monetizing the distress these poor people are experiencing.

These are all my personal opinions, and I have absolutely no knowledge of any details. I am sorry if I have said anything silly or worthy of mockery. I'm new here...not in the world, but here...

You are so on the ball with number 6). MK is one of the worst offenders I have seen online with this story. As someone who is a former colleague of SG, she has lacked all common decency and respect in the name of clicks and revenue. She should be totally ashamed.

FYI we need to use initials when referring to family members.

 

[Sessiebo]

I can't imagine going thru this kind of week without my husband at my side. Haven't heard whether Camron is married (?) but I'm surprised SG's husband isnt there. Kids, school, work, I know, but come on - this is a traumatic life event for SG.

I'm just wondering, where does it say that he isn't there with her? Maybe he travelled there afterwards and is staying in a hotel out of sight?
Or maybe Savannah requested him to stay home with the kids to keep life for them as normal as possible?
Who knows?
I don't think he purposely told Savannah "nah, i'm busy so deal with it on your own"

 

[MCB1151]

Sorry if this has already been covered, but IMO, specifying USD is super weird if you're in the US speaking to someone else in the US. You would just say "dollars" in that case.

(Source: born and raised in the US and now living elsewhere else! The weird thing here is specifying the US part. I'm in Canada, where we have Canadian dollars -- I would only ever specify CAD if I'm speaking to an American and don't want them to think we're using the same currency.)

Not when it comes to crypto - it's pretty common to specify that you want X amount in Y currency because part of the "beauty" of crypto is its borderless and you can convert it wherever, whenever basically.

 

[Donswife48]

Good evening to all. I have been following the thread since it started and find many interesting points being made. As an older person (who lives with husband and youngest son) we are very safety conscious, and this story is very alarming, but not just because the victim is the mother of a celebrity.

I would just like to offer some thoughts I've been mulling over in the time I've been reading the thread:

1) No one can guarantee 100% that Ms. Guthrie, regardless of her high-profile career, has the ability to disburse the sort of money being demanded as ransom. The family has probably been advised to NOT pay too quickly, but time has become of the essence.
2) Reading too much into body language from any of the siblings is a tricky proposition. Not only are they under duress, but they also are probably dealing with the confusing feelings that stem from thorough searches of one of their homes.
3) It seems that local law enforcement (and I believe it is their jurisdiction and the FBI wouldn't take over the investigation completely, only in an advisory capacity...please feel free to correct me on this point) is far from experienced in this sort of scenario.
4) Perhaps there are several sources demanding ransom money, or claiming to have information. I don't think that a Mexican drug cartel would involve itself in this sort of operation within the US so I would, personally, discount that theory.
5) If there is a family member (or several) involved in perpetrating this crime, the likelihood that there is a much more delicate touch in terms of moving the process forward (for fear of what more could happen to other family members, perhaps?) is called for.
6) While "civilian journalists" (is that what one would call the people who conduct YouTube investigative incursions?) might move the needle forward, and while Ms. Banfield and Ms. Kelly, etc. might discuss the matter based on "sources" they have gathered in their meanderings, all that should be considered speculation and, it would seem to me, disruptive to the process. Go to LE first and THEN publish, is what I would say makes more sense, but I'm just a grandma who reads and observes through the sensibilities of my generation, not this new one.

I apologize if I come across as a terrible fuddy-duddy, but I think a lot of the speculative information is causing more harm than good at this moment. That it's done for "clicks", "ratings", "views" -to me, at least- feels like monetizing the distress these poor people are experiencing.

These are all my personal opinions, and I have absolutely no knowledge of any details. I am sorry if I have said anything silly or worthy of mockery. I'm new here...not in the world, but here...

Welcome, I agree with you on several points. 1 - yes, 2 yes, 3-yes with the ceveat that there are hardly any local enforcement agencies that have ever had this happen in their community, 4-I'm still 50-50 on this, 5-ues. 6-YES. JMO

 

[Vegasgrl]

Interesting. That seemed to be from the sheriff's first press conference.

Here is the transcript:

Sheriff: We were told she was left at her home by the family. At 11:00 in the morning the family got notice from somebody at church that she was not at church. They went to the home found her to be missing. That's that's the timeline. From Saturday night 9:45 we'll say to Sunday morning 11:00.

Question: Have you interviewed the people that reported her missing? The people from the church?

Sheriff: That's the family. Oh, from the church as well. We're doing all kinds of interviews. Yes, I'm sure we have.

And then, the Megyn Kelly and Brian Entin exchange:

MK: Two other quick questions. The Daily Mail today is reporting that Nancy Guthrie did not attend a church in person and that she hadn't been for years since the COVID pandemic. That instead she'd been participating in the live stream into this church. And then they had one source at the church who told them that the church for the record is not saying that on the record.

Um but they're saying there'd be no way for anybody to know who is participating in the live stream. It's not it's not like a thing where you can see who's joining um you know people live stream in or they don't. Now that would be a material change from the story that the sheriff told which was that somebody at church noticed Nancy wasn't there. She was a religious churchgoer and um that that person called the family out of concern. Have you heard anything on this either way?

BE: So, the church near her house that we went to, the pastor told uh my producer the same thing that the Daily
Mail is reporting that she switched to online after COVID and was didn't come to church on Sundays. I just assumed
maybe she also went to a different church.

This first notification is so important and we have nothing verified. It really would be a stupid lie to tell, because it is easily verified through phone records (or really just looking at the caller's phone). So there's a reason it came off the timeline.

 

[Sakura2Sophia4Lucia]

Who wrote the extortion email? How do we know these are the abductors?


Anyone can write an email asking for money. That doesn't mean they are kidnappers. They could be scammers and totally unrelated to this.

Nancy Guthrie may have been killed--accidentally or intentionally, and her murder isn't necessarily connected the the ransom or extortion emails. Could be somebody is taking advantage of Nancy's disappearance for their own benefit. MO

 

[Napoli]

I wasn't responding if she was kidnapped or not, but the validity of the ransom itself. I think most anyone here would agree that she was taken/disappeared against her will at this point.

She hasnt surfaced. They have received ransom notes. There would be no point in murdering her or holding her without getting money in return. The ransom notes are real. What if she suddenly turned up before the money was paid? She hasnt. The ransom notes are a direct result and authored by the kidnapper or his collaborators. jmo

 

[CrimeDawg123]

Not when it comes to crypto - it's pretty common to specify that you want X amount in Y currency because part of the "beauty" of crypto is its borderless and you can convert it wherever, whenever basically.

Yes, I really don't think specifying USD means anything at all.

 

[anonypotomous]

Forgive me if I haven't seen this, these threads are moving fast - but was it mentioned if Nancy's house was checked for fingerprints inside, and on any of the doors, etc? Check for hairs, fibers, etc..?

 

[unresolvedmystery]

Yes, I really don't think specifying USD means anything at all.

Totally agree with that, specifying USD is really just something you would do to pretend you aren't local.

 

[StarryStarryNight]

Good evening to all. I have been following the thread since it started and find many interesting points being made. As an older person (who lives with husband and youngest son) we are very safety conscious, and this story is very alarming, but not just because the victim is the mother of a celebrity.

I would just like to offer some thoughts I've been mulling over in the time I've been reading the thread:

1) No one can guarantee 100% that Ms. Guthrie, regardless of her high-profile career, has the ability to disburse the sort of money being demanded as ransom. The family has probably been advised to NOT pay too quickly, but time has become of the essence.
2) Reading too much into body language from any of the siblings is a tricky proposition. Not only are they under duress, but they also are probably dealing with the confusing feelings that stem from thorough searches of one of their homes.
3) It seems that local law enforcement (and I believe it is their jurisdiction and the FBI wouldn't take over the investigation completely, only in an advisory capacity...please feel free to correct me on this point) is far from experienced in this sort of scenario.
4) Perhaps there are several sources demanding ransom money, or claiming to have information. I don't think that a Mexican drug cartel would involve itself in this sort of operation within the US so I would, personally, discount that theory.
5) If there is a family member (or several) involved in perpetrating this crime, the likelihood that there is a much more delicate touch in terms of moving the process forward (for fear of what more could happen to other family members, perhaps?) is called for.
6) While "civilian journalists" (is that what one would call the people who conduct YouTube investigative incursions?) might move the needle forward, and while Ms. Banfield and Ms. Kelly, etc. might discuss the matter based on "sources" they have gathered in their meanderings, all that should be considered speculation and, it would seem to me, disruptive to the process. Go to LE first and THEN publish, is what I would say makes more sense, but I'm just a grandma who reads and observes through the sensibilities of my generation, not this new one.

I apologize if I come across as a terrible fuddy-duddy, but I think a lot of the speculative information is causing more harm than good at this moment. That it's done for "clicks", "ratings", "views" -to me, at least- feels like monetizing the distress these poor people are experiencing.

These are all my personal opinions, and I have absolutely no knowledge of any details. I am sorry if I have said anything silly or worthy of mockery. I'm new here...not in the world, but here...

Welcome to Websleuths!

All thoughts and opinions are welcome!

 

[TheDinks]

Good evening to all. I have been following the thread since it started and find many interesting points being made. As an older person (who lives with husband and youngest son) we are very safety conscious, and this story is very alarming, but not just because the victim is the mother of a celebrity.

I would just like to offer some thoughts I've been mulling over in the time I've been reading the thread:

1) No one can guarantee 100% that Ms. Guthrie, regardless of her high-profile career, has the ability to disburse the sort of money being demanded as ransom. The family has probably been advised to NOT pay too quickly, but time has become of the essence.
2) Reading too much into body language from any of the siblings is a tricky proposition. Not only are they under duress, but they also are probably dealing with the confusing feelings that stem from thorough searches of one of their homes.
3) It seems that local law enforcement (and I believe it is their jurisdiction and the FBI wouldn't take over the investigation completely, only in an advisory capacity...please feel free to correct me on this point) is far from experienced in this sort of scenario.
4) Perhaps there are several sources demanding ransom money, or claiming to have information. I don't think that a Mexican drug cartel would involve itself in this sort of operation within the US so I would, personally, discount that theory.
5) If there is a family member (or several) involved in perpetrating this crime, the likelihood that there is a much more delicate touch in terms of moving the process forward (for fear of what more could happen to other family members, perhaps?) is called for.
6) While "civilian journalists" (is that what one would call the people who conduct YouTube investigative incursions?) might move the needle forward, and while Ms. Banfield and Ms. Kelly, etc. might discuss the matter based on "sources" they have gathered in their meanderings, all that should be considered speculation and, it would seem to me, disruptive to the process. Go to LE first and THEN publish, is what I would say makes more sense, but I'm just a grandma who reads and observes through the sensibilities of my generation, not this new one.

I apologize if I come across as a terrible fuddy-duddy, but I think a lot of the speculative information is causing more harm than good at this moment. That it's done for "clicks", "ratings", "views" -to me, at least- feels like monetizing the distress these poor people are experiencing.

These are all my personal opinions, and I have absolutely no knowledge of any details. I am sorry if I have said anything silly or worthy of mockery. I'm new here...not in the world, but here...

BBM

On the contrary... everything you say makes perfect sense and you write beautifully

 

[MCB1151]

There does not have to be a body to collect.

Doesn't have to be a body, but you have to convince a court that the person is more than likely deceased & have them declared dead.

 

[wyome]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2020622606194643157

View attachment 642762

Oh yeah okay wink wink

 

[TheDinks]

Hmmm, so would

i think the difference is between an abduction and a kidnapping.

Imo, the sheriff calling this a kidnapping from the get go, created the ransom letters. I know that they contained info that supposedly would only be known to certain people, but still, the sheriff calling it such and the time lapse of receipt leads me to this conclusion.

IMO, NG was abducted and not kidnapped.

Either way, I hope the family has resolution soon.

In my comments I've always used 'kidnap for ransom' because whilst kidnapping is used to typically describe a ransom situation, it's not exclusively so.

 

[unresolvedmystery]

I too wonder why WS is allowing this ... he has not been named a POI and is close family therefore a 'victim'. If he is guilty ... so many people will be right in their suspicions but if he is innocent ... so much damage to someone suffering from the loss of a loved one. MOO

Probably allowing it due to the overwhelming possibility that SIL did it and will be arrested for it soon enough?

 

[Sadi]

Good evening to all. I have been following the thread since it started and find many interesting points being made. As an older person (who lives with husband and youngest son) we are very safety conscious, and this story is very alarming, but not just because the victim is the mother of a celebrity.

I would just like to offer some thoughts I've been mulling over in the time I've been reading the thread:

1) No one can guarantee 100% that Ms. Guthrie, regardless of her high-profile career, has the ability to disburse the sort of money being demanded as ransom. The family has probably been advised to NOT pay too quickly, but time has become of the essence.
2) Reading too much into body language from any of the siblings is a tricky proposition. Not only are they under duress, but they also are probably dealing with the confusing feelings that stem from thorough searches of one of their homes.
3) It seems that local law enforcement (and I believe it is their jurisdiction and the FBI wouldn't take over the investigation completely, only in an advisory capacity...please feel free to correct me on this point) is far from experienced in this sort of scenario.
4) Perhaps there are several sources demanding ransom money, or claiming to have information. I don't think that a Mexican drug cartel would involve itself in this sort of operation within the US so I would, personally, discount that theory.
5) If there is a family member (or several) involved in perpetrating this crime, the likelihood that there is a much more delicate touch in terms of moving the process forward (for fear of what more could happen to other family members, perhaps?) is called for.
6) While "civilian journalists" (is that what one would call the people who conduct YouTube investigative incursions?) might move the needle forward, and while Ms. Banfield and Ms. Kelly, etc. might discuss the matter based on "sources" they have gathered in their meanderings, all that should be considered speculation and, it would seem to me, disruptive to the process. Go to LE first and THEN publish, is what I would say makes more sense, but I'm just a grandma who reads and observes through the sensibilities of my generation, not this new one.

I apologize if I come across as a terrible fuddy-duddy, but I think a lot of the speculative information is causing more harm than good at this moment. That it's done for "clicks", "ratings", "views" -to me, at least- feels like monetizing the distress these poor people are experiencing.

These are all my personal opinions, and I have absolutely no knowledge of any details. I am sorry if I have said anything silly or worthy of mockery. I'm new here...not in the world, but here...

Welcome! You’re views are appreciated.

 

[CrimeDawg123]

Doesn't have to be a body, but you have to convince a court that the person is more than likely deceased & have them declared dead.

Which takes time

 

[nightowl2728]

Out of curiosity, I asked AI what its most plausible theory was (without any input from me- just asked about the "Nancy Guthrie case"), and this is what it said:

"An attempted financially motivated crime against a perceived vulnerable individual, carried out by a small‑scale perpetrator with limited planning, that escalated into violence and forced removal."

Of course we cannot take AI theories to be true! Just wanted to see what would happen based on all of the pulled input it takes online.

 

[KBlackRabbit]

The Sherriff has other things on his mind. Like basketball.

The sheriff is allowed time off and can do whatever he wants when he’s not working. He’s not the only employee at the station, they have deputies that have work delegated to them. He’s not a machine that can work 24/7. If something major develops during his free time I’m sure they’ll call him to come in.