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

[cathathorse]

It seems obvious to me that the FBI was able to trace through all the layers of the VPN that the ransom note sender used and determined that the ransom note was not legitimate, likely because the sender is located overseas. Therefore, SG is not going to pay the ransom.

The Sheriff botched this case early on-- I think this was on Sunday or Monday of last week-- he was speaking off the cuff and said something like, "this could be a kidnapping." Media outlets picked that up and ran with it. Then some psychopathic opportunist overseas decided he'd send a ransom note and hope for the best (money deposited into his bitcoin account). The supposed inside information he had could have been gleaned from early media reporters (one did report a broken flood light on Monday) or from Nancy's own facebook account, where she has posted pictures from inside her house from over the years.

 

[tbgo]

Has the FBI taken over the investigation or is it mainly local again? I keep reading different things.

 

[birdbox]

I do think at this point, SG's instagram posts are getting amplified everywhere - other journalists, news stations, entertainment channels, twitter or X or whatever it's called now, insta, Facebook, social media, and beyond. Reaching people who don't typically follow true crime or social media.

So I do think just by posting on her account, it's instantly getting blasted out everywhere. Who knows what kind of DM's the account is receiving. That said, I totally agree with you that it's kind of a hollow message. It makes it seem like they truly have nothing to go on, so it's just a desperate attempt. But, it seems in line with other cases, where LE has said look for things like someone doesn't show up for work for a few days, odd interactions with people that don't feel right, etc. I don't know. It's a stretch for sure.

1.Instagram is a strong appeal as far as many people have varying cable packages or none at all. Most everyone has IG these days. 2. If she suspects international like her mom is in Mexico, going on an American news channel would make less sense.

 

[tbgo]

That’s what I guess was happening with the last message. But, it doesn’t prove current proof of life, because they could have extracted that days before.

Very true but it would confirm that the ransom wasn’t a hoax. They do want her body.

 

[Leilei]

There is a reason SG is alone in this last video, and that she appears like "herself", (to the public eye), and with direct eye contact. I can't speculate on the reason, but like some others here I sense an undertone of ....something....wrath? more than frustration and desperation, which are also preent.

They do say that one of the stages of grief is anger, and even though NG may still be alive (fingers and toes crossed), SG is probably experiencing all of those stages, because she has very much "lost" her mother.
So yes, she's big mad, and rightfully so.
IMO.

 

[jellybean96]

I am pretty firm in the 'not abducted' camp. I am also thinking she is no longer alive nor has she been since the night she disappeared.

 

[Cassie P]

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.

It feels like desperation. It is the only thing left to do. Make a public appeal for help.

 

[MassGuy]

Good points made here about this whole kidnapping thing, being suspicious.

https://twitter.com/x/status/2020974135602561024

 

[Sharonuk]

I wonder when the subscription on the nest cameras lapsed, has that been mentioned. Was she still bringing the doorbell cam in to charge? Were family still checking in on her using the cameras although they were not recording to the cloud? This is unbearably sad.

 

[mikeshanty]

It feels like desperation. It is the only thing left to do. Make a public appeal for help.

Yes I agree. It just "feels" off as it seems like she is getting ahead of LE who have been completely quiet?

 

[allboys]

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.

The only thing I can think of is SG making a post directed to (alleged) kidnappers and asking a question that only NG would know, and asking for a quick answer via the same way the other letters came in. But we haven’t seen that happen.

 

[su5ie]

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.

Maybe if the fbi think a person stalking savannah is responsible they are wanting to see a pattern from views or the number of times it's watched by the one person if they are a stalker of savannah they are a follower on her IG

 

[Sadi]

I keep changing my mind about this case.

Maybe there really has been an abduction.

There was a very odd case in my country in 2007. A plot to abduct and unalive a famous pop star reached its final stages. Many people thought the story was BS at the time, but then criminals were found and received lengthy jail sentences.

And in 2023, there was a plot to abduct and unalive a morning show anchor. It was a real plot and the plotter received a significant jail sentence.

These things do happen unfortunately.

What’s the likelihood more ransom demands are coming? This could happen to anyone famous and wealthy, and it probably happens all the time, but not reported on? This could be nightmare for LE if it starts others to think the same (and act on it (copycat )?

 

[BUF]

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

Yes, I get the feeling that she has maybe accepted that mother may no longer be alive, but still holds out hope that she may still be alive. Such a sad, sad situation to have to go through.

 

[Hanoi2009]

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

I thought the same thing, but they could’ve gotten several nuggets of authenticity like this before they killed her. At this point, it would prove they had had her at one time alive, but that does not guarantee she’s still alive.

 

[nightowl2728]

I read it was of consent, so no warrant needed

Maybe SIL and AG knew a warrant would look bad - both optically and the probable cause disclosed to a judge - and chose to go the "consent" route because they knew it would happen regardless ?

 

[txsleuth70]

What’s the likelihood more ransom demands are coming? This could happen to anyone famous and wealthy, and it probably happens all the time, but not reported on? This could be nightmare for LE if it starts others to think the same (and act on it (copycat )?

One final plea at 4:59?

 

[su5ie]

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.

Epstien who

 

[mikeshanty]

Have we passed the 5PM deadline?

 

[birdbox]

That isn't proof of life though? NG could have told them that a week ago and no longer be around? It's the classic "hold up a copy of today's newspaper" solution I think, or maybe they send a video of Nancy watching SG's latest video?

Yes, her response would have to be immediate, but yeah, they could still kill her. But at least you could deposit money knowing she was alive when you asked 12 hours ago.