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

[Bodhi]

Really, what if it's important. I don't want to be one of those that don't read

You won't know for sure unless you read it. But if you choose to read it, it is rude to then complain that you had to scroll down 26 times. The first couple of scrolls would be sufficient to see if you are interested in the content or not.

I get that you were frustrated by either the content or the format. All I am suggesting is to be kind to others who post content you find engaging enough to read. If you don't appreciate the format or the content, you can offer concrete suggestions, counter opinions with your own, or just move on. If you find a post engaging enough to respond to, it's worth saying whatever you want to say in a respectful wall.

This disappearance is vexxing and nerves are frayed. Let's hope for Nancy and the family's sake--and all of us hoping for the best--that resolution comes soon.

 

[tbgo]

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.

They could offer something (a memory, a nickname) only Nancy would know.

 

[submarine7]

SG doesn't have all the information that LE does. She has more than us no doubt but they do not give her all the details. They protect the investigation.

 

[BrittMontero]

Jake Tapper of CNN is there reporting live, citing close relationship between him, his wife, SG and her husband.

For such a good friend he didn’t have any new information.

I wonder if he’s there to finagle an in-person interview.

She might as well grant it at this point. Not much to lose.

 

[K.jill]

If you don’t like reading someone’s post or find them rude or whatever you can click on their profile picture and then hit ignore to ignore their posts.

 

[Absoluterubbish]

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.

Savannah addressed this in the first video saying they needed proof of life which couldn't be altered with AI (not those exact words but along those lines) which made me think at the time that a photo was included with the first note possibly.

 

[knla]

I had read that you were more likely to be hurt if you knew the burglars during a home invasion, so I found a link. https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/URLs_Cited/OT2017/15-1498/15-1498-1.pdf

 

[KellySleuth]

As of an hour ago, HL of TMZ says the ransom has not been deposited into the Bitcoin account that was in the original ransom email.

 

[tbgo]

SG doesn't have all the information that LE does. She has more than us no doubt but they do not give her all the details. They protect the investigation.

Although, according to Ashleigh Banfield, there are higher ups willing to leak information.

 

[MCB1151]

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.

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?

Additionally as has been pointed out, we haven't even been told what NG was wearing on the day she was abducted - so how is anyone meant to spot her without basic details?

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

I think, and this is JMOO, the usage of IG from the jump has likely been, at least in some part, dictated by the ransom demanders. The risk of "too many tips" is absolutely a real problem LE will have to deal with, but there have been a lot of crimes solved with something incredibly simple sounding. And unfortunately, I don't think anyone other than NG and her kidnapper/foul player knew what she was wearing that night so not shocked that hasn't been "revealed". Plus we are over a week in - those clothes absolutely could have changed.

As far as the IG algorithm goes - who knows what the FBI has perhaps encouraged "tweaking" for SG's posts.

 

[mikeshanty]

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.

But the video seems kind of hollow - an appeal for information, yet neither LE nor SG will disclose something as basic as what NG was wearing on the day she disappeared?

 

[MassGuy]

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.

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.

It's not just about Instagram. The second this post went up, every major news outlet reported on it. Tonight, this will be the lead story on all the nightly news broadcasts. It's already all over Twitter, all over Facebook, and all over TikTok.

Every local affiliate and newspaper will also be broadcasting/writing about this.

I get your point with focusing on the outlets in the immediate area and surrounding regions, but you're going to have a similar result, only in reverse.

There's a ton of resources on this, and law enforcement knows how to prioritize tips, ie, people saying "I saw this online," as opposed to "I saw this that night."

The latter is what they'll focus on.

 

[tbgo]

As of an hour ago, HL of TMZ says the ransom has not been deposited into the Bitcoin account that was in the original ransom email.

SG may mean that Nancy can feel the prayers in the afterlife.

 

[MassGuy]

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.

The sheriff's department and private security are keeping people away from sensitive areas.

 

[Idreamofgenie]

I’m beginning to believe that this will turn out like Caylee Anthony: NG is going to be found buried/hidden somewhere close by (in NG’s area of Tucson.) SG’s recent announcement sounds like something has changed. Like she hopes someone has seen something out of the ordinary that might lead to a body. Just MOO

 

[submarine7]

Although, according to Ashleigh Banfield, there are higher ups willing to leak information.

That could be? I'm sure certain people like certain attention. I don't watch her and I don't believe that theory but who knows?

 

[C Auguste Dupin]

I am reminded of the movie, "Spartan," with Val Kilmer. Traffickers snatched a girl from Harvard. Routine for them. EXCEPT it was the President's Daughter and they did not know THAT. So the race was on to rescue the girl before they learned who they had because, with such a "hot potato," there was a fear that they would just kill her to cover their tracks.

Maybe the kidnappers just snatched a rich old lady, not knowing that she was the mother of a national news anchor, and were not prepared for the heat.

 

[Wsimm]

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.

Two videos with SG and siblings. One solo video with brother alone and now SG’s solo video. I’m wondering if SIL or AG are not involved, could it be individuals connected to either one of them?

 

[SlimPickens]

It's not just about Instagram. The second this post went up, every major news outlet reported on it. Tonight, this will be the lead story on all the nightly news broadcasts. It's already all over Twitter, all over Facebook, and all over TikTok.

Every local affiliate and newspaper will also be broadcasting/writing about this.

I get your point with focusing on the outlets in the immediate area and surrounding regions, but you're going to have a similar result, only in reverse.

There's a ton of resources on this, and law enforcement knows how to prioritize tips, ie, people saying "I saw this online," as opposed to "I saw this that night."

The latter is what they'll focus on.

Indeed. It's the first time we've seen her utilize her platform in this way in this case (and thankfully she is!). She was being managed before. What has changed?

 

[MassGuy]

I am reminded of the movie, "Spartan," with Val Kilmer. Traffickers snatched a girl from Harvard. Routine for them. EXCEPT it was the President's Daughter and they did not know THAT. So the race was on to rescue the girl before they learned who they had because, with such a "hot potato," there was a fear that they would just kill her to cover their tracks.

Maybe the kidnappers just snatched a rich old lady, not knowing that she was the mother of a national news anchor, and were not prepared for the heat.

This just doesn't happen in America, not to low risk victims, and certainly not to the family members of high profile people.