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

[Friday Fan]

I'm with you about the ransom appearing days later. I don't think we know if an initial ransom was sent immediately to the family, or not. DEVIL'S ADVOCATE: Maybe the kidnappers didn't like the fact that LE hadn't announced an original ransom, so they figured they'd go through TMZ, knowing they'd probably release it to the public.

I'm still entirely baffled why people believe it could all be a hoax. NG was obviously taken from her home - call it what you want, a kidnapping or abduction. If LE thought they were dealing with a homicide, they definitely wouldn't have NG's kids pleading for her return on national television all these days later. Regardless whether NG is alive or not (I hope the latter isn't the case), it would be difficult for kidnappers to care for an immobile, 84-year old woman with a pacemaker, in need of daily medication. You know what else would be difficult? Removing a body from her home, then trying to find a place to hide it.

FWIW, I am totally stumped.

Because the Jon Benet ransom note was a hoax.

If they were truly serious about holding someone and extorting and this being a business deal, they would have been "on it" right away.

Instead, they wait a few days...and...then they wait a few more and.....

There is not ongoing communication. If this was a real ransom, they would have written that letter and wired it as soon as they abducted her. Instead, it seems like the found a story that was media sensation and decided to exploit it. And then they didn't have a response for three days after the first email. This just seems like someone who saw this in the media and decided to exploit it ALL MOO

There was a mom over in Texas with a missing daughter and she got ransom texts constantly. She showed her phone and said, "This is my life now". The girl was found a few days after she disappeared, but for some reason it took five years to identify her. So con artists took advantage and created ransom notes left and right.

That's just how I see it..

 

[EightiesBoo]

Do we think the family was advised not to pay?

 

[turaj]

I am waiting for LE to tell me they are not involved. My interest only peaked in that direction since Nancy was with family the night before and it was reported that 'family' was the last to see her (at least that was said in the beginning.)

LE always looks closely at the victims family/friends first. I personally haven't seen any victim bashing here, because the mods don't allow it, but if I missed it please let me know.

^^^ in MY opinion ^^

Tricia explained that it is okay to consider AG and TC and talk about it here. She just asks that we use initials. If it okay with her then that should be it.

 

[Cipher Vale]

Seems "victim blaming" to suggest the family is involved, especially when there isn't anything to suggest they were.

I wouldn't say there isn't anything to suggest family. It has been said, even on this forum, that random kidnappings are extremely rare. They often involve people close - and since NG wouldnt have business associates, a scorned lover, and any other non-familial person that makes sense - to look at family or in-laws is reasonable.

 

[turaj]

Do we think the family was advised not to pay?

i think they were given some information about the ransom demands that might mean they are deemed a hoax?

 

[KrisCo16]

Right not "required" but LE would always cover their bases and have one incase a defense attorney would later claim this or that wasn't agreed.

I also wonder if consent was given by both owners or just one?

 

[stmichael]

Seems "victim blaming" to suggest the family is involved, especially when there isn't anything to suggest they were.

Then all investigations are victim blaming, as statistically it is your family and friends that are most likely to commit a crime against you, and that's where LE and media always look first.

The last people seen with the missing person are the daughter and son in law.. The investigators are obviously looking at that and since they haven't publicly excluded them speculation will run rampant. For those innocent it sucks, I get it.That's "web sleuthing". It is what it is.

What further complicates this case is we really don't know what happened. If there was an actual abduction, if there was another initial crime, if the ransom angle is an unrelated opportunistic scam. It just is still in essence a missing person. The investigation has shed no definitive light on these issues yet, and have no obligation to the public. Again, it is what it is.

 

[cuffem]

I think everyone is entitled to their own opinion, even if we disagree, we should be respectful. Just because someone thinks a family member is or isn’t involved, let them share their thoughts. Yes, I’ve said I think family is involved and I right now I still do. If it turns out I’m wrong, I’ll admit it.

When I post in cases like this I try to put myself in the families shoes and think how I would feel being accused. Their children also may see this as it is here forever.
Saying sorry later after damning someones reputation does not heal that pain. These people are already suffering enough.
I wait until LE has a POI. IMO.

Sadi this is not directed at you, just responding.

 

[arielilane]

A memorial has been growing outside Nancy Guthrie's home in Tucson. TODAY show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie released a message on Instagram asking those with info to come forward. More about this story on News 4 Tucson at 4 p.m., 5 p.m. and 6 p.m.

https://twitter.com/x/status/2021001584352821361

 

[NonnaBalogna]

Ive listened to a few CSI people talk about that blood, they all-seem to think that there is no directionality to the drops, like as if the person was stopped there for a period of time and the drops just went straight down.
Ed Wallace ( from the duty ron channel) a former csi and Also trains CSI’s all over the world spoke on the spot that looks like aspirated blood, He said to test if it was aspirated , it would have amylase in it. Swab it and test for amylase.I dont know if they did that tho.
AI definition:
expirated blood (blood forced from the nose, mouth, or lungs) commonly contains salivary amylase. This is because the blood mixes with saliva while being coughed, sneezed, or forced out of the mouth.

Thank you for explaining that. I thought maybe if it were a robber/home invasion gone wrong maybe they hit NG or something and NG was able to get that far away before they realized. Does anyone know or has LE said if there was blood inside the house as well or just the porch?

 

[BrittMontero]

So many references to robbery here. I haven’t read anywhere that anything is missing. Also, for the time in the home. Did she leave in her nightgown or could she have changed clothes?

This is what I have been wondering. It’s very odd there is no description.

If the clothing she was wearing at dinner was in the hamper, surely AG would be able to verify that. And perhaps indicate “she generally wore yellow flannel nightgown/ blue silk pajamas/etc.”

If her dinner time clothing was not in the house, indicating she hadn’t changed ~10pm, that’s a different story. Did she generally stay up late fully clothed? Etc

 

[Knox]

So many references to robbery here. I haven’t read anywhere that anything is missing. Also, for the time in the home. Did she leave in her nightgown or could she have changed clothes?

I assume the Uber camera captured what she wore that night. So if it’s in her hamper, she changed into her PJ’s.

 

[SlimPickens]

Approaching T minus 30 minutes on the ransom deadline.

 

[rosesfromangels]

Just curious, you didn’t mention Nancy’s other two children?

Yes, good catch. Prayers for them too - nothing intentional in the omission. : )

 

[SMK777]

I think everyone is entitled to their own opinion, even if we disagree, we should be respectful. Just because someone thinks a family member is or isn’t involved, let them share their thoughts. Yes, I’ve said I think family is involved and I right now I still do. If it turns out I’m wrong, I’ll admit it.

1. Moderators have said no one is ruled out. They asserted that using initials is required when discussing possible family involvement.

2. Statistically, when persons go missing, 80% of the time it involves the family circle.

3. Permission granted to search does not mean a warrant was not pending. The area between the 2 family residences has been explored. Luminol was likely used in the garage according to linked and approved sources here.

4. This is a forum for free opinion and discussion.

 

[stmichael]

I wouldn't say there isn't anything to suggest family. It has been said, even on this forum, that random kidnappings are extremely rare. They often involve people close - and since NG wouldnt have business associates, a scorned lover, and any other non-familial person that makes sense - to look at family or in-laws is reasonable.

We don't know that this is a kidnapping yet. Not at all. (most LE analysts have recently chimed in with this).

It is just as likely that this was a murder and the body was disposed. It right now is technically a missing persons. And the ransom can be an opportunistic scam not related to the initial event that made NG disappear.

We as the public actually have very little information on all these aspects thus far (and I keep seeing people repeating conflicting reports or misinformation). edit- but yes, to look at the family is very reasonable.

 

[Cassie P]

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?

1. She is coming out of her shock/denial/feeling overwhelmed stage.
2. Local LE and FBI have made no progress in over a week since the crime.
3. Negotiation with the kidnappers is going nowhere.

 

[txsleuth70]

Really? Why is one of the community rules "victim friendly"?

>>"Always show respect for victims and their families. No victim blaming or insensitive speculation."

I've seen all manner of breaking of this rule in this thread.

@LAborn

Let me address this.
There is nothing normal about this case. The son-in-law may have been the last person to see Nancy alive. The sheriff has not cleared anyone, and he has also stated there are no “prime suspects” at this time.

Because no one has been cleared, discussion is allowed. However, it must be done using initials only.

The reason is simple. If someone is discussed as a possible suspect and their full name is repeated over and over, it follows them forever. Google does not forget. Using initials helps protect innocent people from long-term harm if they are ultimately not involved.

This situation is unprecedented for Websleuths. We are dealing with a kidnapping in which a family member was reportedly the last person to see Nancy. Shutting down the discussion of the people closest to Nancy and those who last saw her would effectively end the thread.

We are doing the best we can to balance open discussion with protecting innocent people. It is not a perfect system, but ultimately, we are a true-crime discussion forum, and when law enforcement has not cleared anyone and has not named a prime suspect, discussion must be allowed—carefully and responsibly.

Tricia

 

[MissPie]

Please let’s not do a countdown to the ransom on this forum. The pain of this family is not a spectator sport.

 

[maamager]

This is John Hinckley trying to get Jodi Foster's attention all over again. IMO, he has been stalking SG on Instagram. Someone in LE has put it together. SG"s demeanor in her latest video was 1) Taking her control back 2) A feeling of guilt or something that she was somehow indirectly, through her TV exposure the cause of some wacko stalking her and take her mother to gain her attention. Videos posted on Instagram are at stalker's direction. all of this is my opinion. Weird vibe and nuances.. JMO..I think this is the most likely path. SG looks and acts almost guilt-ridden..JMO MOO

omg. OMG. THIS!!!! most convinced i’ve been yet.