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

[Cassie P]

Yeah, maybe AI wrote ransom note. Im just not getting mastermind vibes. Someone who knows anything about moving money knows about bank 10 day holds required. Sounds like his literal first rodeo to me.

Yes that is a problem these days. With AI you cannot get an accurate psych profile from written material. So we are safer looking at the crime scene to assess the perpetrator.

Well the perpetrator so far has not been identified or apprehended. The victim has not been found. So he has not done too badly so far.

And perhaps it was not premeditated so the cover up had to be done on the fly with a tight time line. Victim was killed or died suddenly and the cover up had to be immediate and spur of the moment. This is a tough situation and requires a certain skill set. Ability to work under pressure, exhibiting leadership and taking charge. Good decision making when stressed. Nerves of steel. And even the mistakes may have a logical basis when examined further.

 

[WillenFan21]

I got thinking about something when I was downstairs cooking myself a pancake. LOL But what if because of Savannah's celebrity status if her and the family aren't working with the suspects on their own (Like as a way to keep it private somewhat) to get Nancy back? Like I know the video was not private but who is to say more contact hasn't been made to the family after last night and we just don't know bc they want to keep it private?

 

[CandyKiss]

There is also something interesting in terms of what the sheriff said on Monday versus the timeline presented later in the week. He says the family (implying AG and SIL since SG was out of state) got there at 11AM. The slide deck timeline presented later in the week says they called 911 at 12.03PM. That is an hour before the "realized" they needed to call. No accusation here, but the timing is quite interesting. Perhaps sheriff was speaking generally at the earlier conference.

the timeline presented by FBI/LE after intial press conference states they arrived at NG's home 11:56, called 911 at 12:03. This is also the press conference that "a chuch lady called" disappeared from the timelines.

Nancy Guthrie abduction: New timeline emerges in mysterious disappearance of Savannah Guthrie's mom

Authorities on Thursday released a more detailed timeline surrounding the disappearance of 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie.

abcnews.go.com

 

[mpnola]

I wonder if SG has Kidnap & Ransom insurance?

I've wondered all these days if there was such a thing. But I'm guessing the policy would have to include family, not just the named

 

[ivylambs]

I wonder if SG has Kidnap & Ransom insurance?

I think it would be rather odd to pay for ransom insurance unless you are a Vanderbilt or a pop star.

 

[ilovewings]

I haven't been following this case really close, but is A.G. a suspect- I read they removed brown bags from her home---I guess I would be shocked if the family was involved

<modsnip- gotta use initials >

 

[Vaderman]

**Summary of statements made by the Sheriff in the first press conference on Monday 2 February.**

I am posting rough notes to show how the picture looked back then, as I think it might be of interest to a lot of us. Key points in bold. I truly feel the early press conference offers clues:

--------

- NG's home is a crime scene and "we know that"; LE saw things that concerned them; saw things at the site suggesting she did not leave alone. "Circumstances on scene that were suspicious in nature".
- NG suffers from "physical ailments" and needs daily medication; risk of things becoming fatal without access within 24 hours
- NG is of sound mind; nothing dementia related.
- Sheriff appeals for public to call 911 if they have seen anything; quite persistent messaging for information
- The investigation is at a stage where they need to depend on tech, including license plate readers.
- The homicide team was involved at this stage as well as a search and rescue (including drone systems, heat sensors, infra-red).
- "All of the family have been very cooperative with us"
- No comment on forced entry
- Not sure whether it was targeted or random
- Confirmed there were cameras on the property and "we're looking through some of that".
- NG had house staff who come by, but NG otherwise lives alone.
- Does not think there is an active threat to the public
- "Right now, we don't see this as a search mission as much as we do a crime scene"
- Refers to a map on screen that shows the search patterns by LE. Confirmed the map is used by search teams when they need to reassess search areas (i.e. might explain why we saw the map again this weekend).
- They have NG's cellphone and they are looking at it.
- Believes at 9.45PM her "children" left her off. Then later in the morning they got a call from "someone at the church saying your mom's not here". "The family went to the house.. they spent some time looking themselves before calling us; maybe they got there around 11AM". They did some searching and realized they needed some help and called 911.
- Declined to comment on the time NG was taken from the home.
- Told neighbours to go through their Ring cameras.
- Sheriff makes a political statement about the benefits of new technologies.

12:34 - 13:16 is quite interesting.

My big take away from the first Press Conference:
Journalist: Sheriff you mentioned that she didn't just walk out. Is there any additional information that you can give us on what may have alluded to this being a crime scene?
Sheriff: *sighs* You know, I wish I could. I know that everyone wants to know certain things. But I can't do tha--it...it would be inappropriate at this time

Source: Question begins at 8:02

 

[Cassie P]

I wonder if SG has Kidnap & Ransom insurance?

Perhaps her employer provides it? Not unheard of with TV/Movie celebrities.
Maybe this is part of the delay, SG was trying to get that sorted out with her employer?

 

[Van Helsing]

Same question I keep asking. Why make a video saying they will pay the ransom when they could just quietly pay it?

I think the purpose of the video is to tell the kidnappers they will pay for their mother dead or alive. They want a proper burial.

I think they wanted the ransomers to know that they would pay, even though they might not see it right away. LE was going to do due diligence investigation for as long as reasonably possible. If the ransomers are legit, they shouldn't have a problem with that.

 

[InkyEvie]

If that is the case I'm thinking it is,then it also needs to be noted the driver was breaking the law by traveling at such an excessive speed. Reckless driving puts others in harms way. A deliberate act. IIRC he was going over 100 mph and ended up killing four college students. There are always circumstances relevant to the charges....JMOO

That's a good point, the speeding is a deliberate act, as you said, which implies a certain level of intention... I am not a lawyer, I just like reading legalese lol

IMO

 

[mikeshanty]

My big take away from the first Press Conference:
Journalist: Sheriff you mentioned that she didn't just walk out. Is there any additional information that you can give us on what may have alluded to this being a crime scene?
Sheriff: *sighs* You know, I wish I could. I know that everyone wants to know certain things. But I can't do tha--it...it would be inappropriate at this time

Source: Question begins at 8:02

Great catch. "Inappropriate" is a very interesting choice of word. What would be inappropriate about explaining why they deprioritised the case as a search and rescue and deemed it a crime scene?

 

[birdbox]

the timeline presented by FBI/LE after intial press conference states they arrived at NG's home 11:56, called 911 at 12:03. This is also the press conference that "a chuch lady called" disappeared from the timelines.

Nancy Guthrie abduction: New timeline emerges in mysterious disappearance of Savannah Guthrie's mom

Authorities on Thursday released a more detailed timeline surrounding the disappearance of 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie.

abcnews.go.com

Did they go in person or send an Uber to check?

 

[Donswife48]

PLEASE - can someone publish the original timeline next to the updated timeline? Then everyone can see that the church goer's call was removed. Or, we'll have a hundred posts asking about this. I would do it if I knew how.

Nancy Guthrie, 84, missing - last seen in the Catalina foothills area on Jan 31, 2026 - MEDIA, MAPS, TIMELINE thread *NO DISCUSSION* You can find information here.

 

[Cassie P]

I think they wanted the ransomers to know that they would pay, even though they might not see it right away. LE was going to do due diligence investigation for as long as reasonably possible. If the ransomers are legit, they shouldn't have a problem with that.

Yes this is possible. SG saying we are going to pay, sit tight, the money is coming.

 

[shadowsc]

Maybe they paid the first time and heard nothing, so the second note came in and it said they wanted more money, so SG put out the post stating they will pay (more?) and maybe even since yesterday they’ve paid (more?) but the perp isn’t going to hold up their end of the bargain? I don’t think we can assume from the fact that NG hasn’t been recovered yet that it means the family hasn’t paid yet. There’s no honor among thieves and all that.

The news anchor who had read the second letter said that she would not classify the letter as another "ransom letter" so that would indicate no additional money had been requested.

Erin Burnett: And and just in terms of we understand that the initial one had obviously a very substantial ransom
demand and these two deadlines, right? One of which was last night uh and then another one of which which was far more consequential uh was Monday. Did any of that change in this one?

Mary Coleman (The news anchor who had seen the letters): I will say, you know, the FBI and PCSD were classifying the first as a ransom note. And I will say that I don't think that they will classify this second one as a ransom note. That's the best way I can characterize that.

and later:
Sure. Um, you know, there were deadlines in in the first letter. Uh, the second one, there are no deadlines. you know, in my head a ransom note is uh looking for something in return for something else and and this one is not necessarily
that.

3:44 mark

 

[turaj]

If it is the SIL why would that stop her from having her career. She would need time off to grieve but the SIL isn't going to come after her. If the perp is gone she will have to move on with her life and keep busy. Sure she has enough to retire but wealthy people live a certain way so they keep going to keep the lifestyle and that takes working. She also likes her job so that would help her get back to somewhat normal.

I've watched SG in a few interviews about her book. She is VERY religious but not sure it is enough to get thru what is ahead for her. If it is family that did this even worse but it is all beyond imagination. I hope they get all parties involved or she will be. living in fear f or the rest of her life. Going back to work? Not sure how long that will take if ever.

 

[Gemmie]

I wonder if SG has Kidnap & Ransom insurance?

I thought you were joking so had to look it up. Apparently it's a thing and called K&R insurance. I'm going to venture a guess that she does not have it. Who would think they needed it unless you're a VERY high profile individual who is known to have money out the wazoo.

Kidnap & ransom insurance is designed to help protect your organization from the financial impact of sudden and unexpected expenses related to kidnapping, extortion and ransom or illegal detention. Kidnap & ransom insurance policies provide coverage typically for monies paid to kidnappers or extortionists, loss of ransom in transit and other expenses incurred as a result of a kidnapping. 

These threats are very real and can happen to any business. Someone could have a grudge against you, your company or your employees. Someone could even try to force you to reveal company trade secrets. Even when no ransom money is paid, these stressful situations can create unexpected costs and have a significant impact on your business's bottom line. 

More at link: Kidnap & Ransom Insurance | Travelers Insurance.

 

[maskedwoman]

I keep seeing this theory about the Winter Olympics. Honestly, I am just not getting it to be honest.

Me either. The idea that someone would kidnap and/or kill a fragile 84 year old lady to keep her daughter from essentially taking a business trip just doesn't compute for me. I'm also struggling with the idea of it being at all political. In fact, if someone killed that poor lady for any sort of political reason, I may just be done with humanity in general.

 

[JKathryn]

They must be so annoyed with the journalists and would be journalists. I don't blame them for calling the cops for someone in their yard.

I was thinking it was still something to do with this one. Nancy Guthrie disappearance; police investigate trespassing case

 

[turaj]

Perhaps her employer provides it? Not unheard of with TV/Movie celebrities.
Maybe this is part of the delay, SG was trying to get that sorted out with her employer?

right now she is just concerned with dealing with the captors and apparently paying to get her mother back home. I seriously doubt she is sorting anything out with employer or that a mother would be covered.