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

[MassGuy]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2020983915406819488

 

[Absoluterubbish]

Alas, it seems the "ransomers" wanted this public disclosure and pain.

As one detective said "they sent the ransom note first to freakin' TMZ". They wanted this to play out in the public, still could be an opportunistic sicko/stalker and unrelated to the real disappearance of NG.

I agree they want it public but TMZ wasn't the first to receive a ransom note. It was a local Tuscan news station and then TMZ received it the following day.

 

[mikeshanty]

Something about SG’s latest Instagram appeal is odd. This is not designed as a criticism of her personally, but from a purely practical, “what would be the most effective appeal?” perspective.

If the goal is to generate new information, I’m not convinced Instagram is the strongest channel:

1. Her audience likely skews toward major urban areas and national media markets (e.g. New York, California), rather than the specific local area where relevant sightings or information are most likely to come from.

2. There is risk with a mass-audience appeal that it produces a large volume of speculative responses, thereby diluting useful tips and make triage harder for law enforcement.

3. The appeal does not seem to be directed at specific groups who are statistically more likely to have seen something. For example local residents, drivers, delivery workers, neighbours, or people travelling through the immediate area at relevant times.

4. Instagram’s algorithm prioritises engagement. So posts end up circulating more widely based on likes and shares but not necessarily geographic relevance.

5. It seems well intentioned but kind of pointless in a way - as has been pointed out, we haven't even been told what NG was wearing on the day she was abducted and SG hasn't elaborated - so how is anyone meant to spot her without basic details?

Would a more effective approach be to do outreach through regional news outlets, if this is a genuine appeal for information?

I'm not trying to suggest there is some strategy happening with this post, or that the appeal is fake. It just strikes me as not particularly effective and to be honest - a bit bizarre - a nationwide anchor asking millions of followers if they saw something strange to report it?

Just my personal observation, trying to look at this logically rather than emotionally.

 

[Nikynoo]

Google the bold terms + "movie" - the results will shock you

Abandoned Nevada mining town? Stephen Kings Desperation?

 

[Absoluterubbish]

You can just see that a deposit or withdrawal has been made and people can send money to it, but they cant take it out. Kind of like at your bank i could go deposit 1000 to your account if I knew your bank account number but I can't take it out. The only difference in crypto you can see balances in the wallets, but not owner. And then it has to be moved around to other currencies to hide it and then to cash it out, etc and some countries have very sketchy laws. Its quite bizarre and why its a fan favorite of all things illegal now including how terrorist cells move money.

Thanks. Yea seems way too complicated for me haha.

 

[Cipher Vale]

@ArabianLover brings up alot of simple but great questions. I have one to add:

5 - Why are there no specifics when asking the public for help? Usually the FBI or LE will do a presser and say things like "We are asking anyone who saw a Blue Sedan, like the one pictured, in the vicinity of Main and 1st St on Saturday night to give us a call." Instead the pleas to the public are very broad: "if you know anything." A week later and no specific request for public help is either troubling or a sign they don't need the public's help.

Also want to touch on the meds issue. I've seen plenty of times in my local news of missing people who "needed" medication or something bad happens, only to be found days later and nothing bad happened. I wonder if that's just a tactic?

 

[shonyakay]

This seems like the JonBenet Ramsey case all over again except without the body.

 

[TheDinks]

I fear this case has been botched from the get go.

The State Police should have been brought in IMMEDIATELY to help with this case. This tiny agency is not equipped.

Both Nancy’s AND Annie’s properties should have been sealed off as crime scenes. NO MATTER WHAT. Those were the last supposed places Nancy was seen alive. All vehicles should have been seized.

Then ALL the family members should have been dragged down to the police station and DRILLED. Questioned. Proved their timeline by providing corroborating evidence. Taken polygraphs, etc.

All electronic devices should have been seized.

All vehicles should have been seized.

And should have been done for purposes of elimination. Eliminate the family first. Then work out.

This is LE 101

These “statements” about driving Nancy home, at what time, by whom, and what exactly happened at the drop off don’t make any sense. Was it just the SIL? Was it Annie & the SIL? How does an 85yo woman with SERIOUS physical limitations get into her garage in 2 minutes? There should be history on that remote opener to show the average time it takes her. 2 minutes just seems way too short.

Crime scene experts should have gone over BOTH properties with a fine toothed comb. As well as all vehicles. These were places that Nancy was confirmed to be.

That first critical 48hr window has been lost here because of sloppy police work. And the delay of reporting Nancy’s disappearance.

We are now into the 2nd week and they are just now checking Annie’s house with Luminol. After the family has continued living there? And possibly doing a clean up??

They just discovered there was a camera on the roof of Nancy’s house. What else did they miss?

We have a supposed ransom demand that has not been confirmed legitimate.

My questions are these:

1. Why haven’t the family members been eliminated as suspects?

2. Why can’t they confirm the legitimacy of this ransom demand?

3. Why do they keep going back and doing basic things that should have been done on day 1 or day 2?

4. And WHY would the Sheriff go to a basketball game with a case like this going on so early in an investigation? Normally a case is worked by all involved without sleep for days. They’re not going to events. This is a very bad look.

This is heading for a catastrophic conclusion. In more ways than one.

Often when information isn't forthcoming the public think the cops have nothing BUT this time I do see a lot of red flags.

Along with what you've outlined, I can't for the life of me understand why full scale searches of the area weren't carried out for DAYS following the abduction. I don't get it.

There were searches but I didn't see full on grid searches that occur in most missing cases.

 

[turaj]

Quite contrary, IMHO. Something has changed. Seems to me, she has gotten information that the ransom appears to be proven a scam and not related to her mother's disappearance or just as she was about to hit the button on sending $6 million to someone--LE had to let her in on where they are at in the investigation and it's pointing elsewhere like many here have said. She's now in the loop with LE, so to speak.

Ok, so I'm going down this rabbit hole and now LE approaches and says hey wait a minute--here we have x,y,z. After the initial shock, your like ok. I'm composed I know what to to expect next. We need your help finding mom. Yes, I do believe that she's come to terms that this is a recovery effort based on what LE told her. Now, she's appealing to the public to find mom's body. As morbid as that is to write.
That's how I'm reading this latest video.

i feel just the same. I got the message that. ransom off the table and no point in paying it.

 

[birdbox]

I’m hearing some of these talking heads, former LE guys say it might have been a robbery and something went wrong.

Why would the robbers take NG from the house? That seems odd. If it’s a murder for the sake of inheritance, why take NG out of the house to do something that they could have done inside the house and leave her in the home?

If she knew the robber robber would be my only guess for this scenario. "Hey aren't you that kid who works at the Mexican Restaurant?"

 

[ChicagoSleuth]

The billboards go Texas, all the way to Houston. Posted yesterday with link/ source. Btw, could someone tell me how to search within a thread?

Re: searching within threads, there is a 'Search' button in the very upper right corner of the site. Once you click on it, there is an option to search within the thread. I just learned this myself yesterday

 

[tbgo]

GenLookups.com - Arizona - Pima County Brides - Page 16

I apologize if someone has already answered this, but they did get a marriage license in 2006.

Thank you for the confirmation!

 

[mzjaak49]

But it could be an acquaintance of the hired workers who may just get a wild idea to pull this off after hearing about this rich lady living by herself-- alone at night? People talk, gossip and share stories about their workplace all the time.

That’s what I’ve been thinking the whole time. All it takes is for one person to mention “yeah I work at NG’s house” “my girlfriend works for NG” etc in the wrong company for the wheels to start turning…

 

[SlimPickens]

What has me believing even more that the FBI thinks (or thought) that those ransom demands are/were authentic is the stark difference between SG's presentation today and the two videos. FBI was clearly choreographing those two videos. No makeup, no bright colors, resigned, deferential, quite formal in presentation and demeanor, etc. Indeed, nothing that could be misconstrued or triggering to a suspect. This latest video from her is the Savannah that we know and expect. I imagine that this one was of her own choosing, and good for her.

Now to the video itself - seems like an obvious sense of desperation and a last minute plea for help from anyone who might know anything before potentially turning 6 million dollars into ether, and with no absolute certainty of a return.

Very sad to see her in this position.

JMO.

 

[Vegasgrl]

Re: searching within threads, there is a 'Search' button in the very upper right corner of the site. Once you click on it, there is an option to search within the thread. I just learned this myself yesterday

Thank you

 

[Sadi]

It has been very quiet today. Even the podcasters/journalists staked out at the homes have seen nothing. If they do have a suspect who they're closing in on, maybe SG's video today was to keep that suspect in the dark.

Could be too she’s making a plea to return N to the family. If more than one person was involved, maybe she’s trying to get them by saying if you see something, contact LE. I don’t know what to think about this video, the timing for making it was for a reason.

 

[tbgo]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2020983915406819488

I’m surprised (or not surprised) that they’re allowing people to do that given how many times they keep returning to the property for evidence.

 

[SMK777]

I fear this case has been botched from the get go.

The State Police should have been brought in IMMEDIATELY to help with this case. This tiny agency is not equipped.

Both Nancy’s AND Annie’s properties should have been sealed off as crime scenes. NO MATTER WHAT. Those were the last supposed places Nancy was seen alive. All vehicles should have been seized.

Then ALL the family members should have been dragged down to the police station and DRILLED. Questioned. Proved their timeline by providing corroborating evidence. Taken polygraphs, etc.

All electronic devices should have been seized.

All vehicles should have been seized.

And should have been done for purposes of elimination. Eliminate the family first. Then work out.

This is LE 101

These “statements” about driving Nancy home, at what time, by whom, and what exactly happened at the drop off don’t make any sense. Was it just the SIL? Was it Annie & the SIL? How does an 85yo woman with SERIOUS physical limitations get into her garage in 2 minutes? There should be history on that remote opener to show the average time it takes her. 2 minutes just seems way too short.

Crime scene experts should have gone over BOTH properties with a fine toothed comb. As well as all vehicles. These were places that Nancy was confirmed to be.

That first critical 48hr window has been lost here because of sloppy police work. And the delay of reporting Nancy’s disappearance.

We are now into the 2nd week and they are just now checking Annie’s house with Luminol. After the family has continued living there? And possibly doing a clean up??

They just discovered there was a camera on the roof of Nancy’s house. What else did they miss?

We have a supposed ransom demand that has not been confirmed legitimate.

My questions are these:

1. Why haven’t the family members been eliminated as suspects?

2. Why can’t they confirm the legitimacy of this ransom demand?

3. Why do they keep going back and doing basic things that should have been done on day 1 or day 2?

4. And WHY would the Sheriff go to a basketball game with a case like this going on so early in an investigation? Normally a case is worked by all involved without sleep for days. They’re not going to events. This is a very bad look.

This is heading for a catastrophic conclusion. In more ways than one.

Agree with all you wrote.
I expressed surprise this morning when I heard a camera had been removed from NGs home and was being checked.

That would make headlines at this late date? I assumed all was done on day one, when they called homicide in?

 

[tlcya]

I’m hearing some of these talking heads, former LE guys say it might have been a robbery and something went wrong.

Why would the robbers take NG from the house? That seems odd. If it’s a murder for the sake of inheritance, why take NG out of the house to do something that they could have done inside the house and leave her in the home?

that was my initial question. When this first happened I thought robbery gone bad turned to murder turned to cover up. But why remove the body? Only reasons I can think of are:

A) physical evidence removal (perp concerned their own DNA on the body, panicks disposes of body)
B) they took her alive to go to ATMs and withdraw funds and then harmed her when she was uncooperative or they got what they wanted, or
C) thought they had more time before she'd be missed and removed body thinking they could return to complete the planned robbery or whatever later

That's it, that was all I could come up with. Since that initial thought I have wafted all about between abduction, planned murder for profit/benefit, unplanned murder in sudden rage.

But none of them feel quite right.

This case has me stumped.

 

[PacoElFlaco]

What would constitute "proof of life" for the kidnappers to send? A photo could be faked with AI. A voice message could also possibly be faked if they had samples of her speaking.