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

[LordNikkon]

Yes, but I still think TMZ is an odd selection. They aren't the first outlet I would think of for crime publicity, but I would for celebrity news, ykwim?

jmopinion

Choosing TMZ would make me think this is someone trying to cash in on a kidnapping they had nothing to do with or the kidnappers really aren't that smart. But Bitcoin? Why bitcoin when the FBI has shown time and time again they have their ways of tracing bitcoin addresses. If they asked for the money in monero (more secure and private) then I would think this was well thought out. The last thing I would want is the world or the FBI watching my bitcoin address to see if I really receive the money.

 

[Izzylizzy]

Yes, most "experts" I have heard discuss this case said it's extremely rare in the United States, but common in countries like Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela, and Brazil, etc. I agree with your thought it was somebody known to Nancy OR it was a non-citizen from one of those countries, IMO. Praying for Nancy Guthrie.

I'm relieved to see that you gave a pass to documented immigrants from Mexico, Columbia,Venezuela and Brazil.
Very thoughtful.
imo

 

[Fromeaster]

I still find it hard to believe that this is a kidnapping for ransom, because the most important thing is to keep the woman alive to get the ransom. And from the blood it's clear that they or he injured her already...

 

[The OG]

If I may ask, how do you get the family members phone numbers? We don't have phone books anymore. When we registered with our church, there was no "emergency contact info" on the forms. We know Nancy has a cell phone that was left behind. Did "churchgoer" first try her cell? Did daughter/SIL try it before they rushed over?

We just ask them. We get to know our members and their families.

 

[Sadi]

I still find it hard to believe that this is a kidnapping for ransom, because the most important thing is to keep the woman alive to get the ransom. And from the blood it's clear that they or he injured her already...

And why wait for days for the money to be deposited? Why not within 24 hours?

 

[Izzylizzy]

I am skeptical... Its an easy detail to check, and if either the sister or husband lied about this, one or both of them would be in custody; the posture of the police toward the family would be completely different. Savannah wouldn't have been holding her sister's hand as she was in the statement last night, she wouldn't be staying there. Imagine how awkward that would be.

Not that this couldn't be the case, and the SIL could absolutely be guilty. I am not in that camp right now.

I was curious why NG's two SILs weren't present?
imo

 

[The OG]

I guess what I'm unsuccessfully trying to say - not everyone watches TMZ. Not everyone follows celebrity news, while everyone does know about news stations. But maybe I'm wrong, and I accept that.

I find it significant that the ransom-note writer of a crime in surburban Tucson picked TMZ to send the note but perhaps it's what would be expected. ?

jmo

If this was a deranged superfan of SG, TMZ makes plenty of sense, js.

 

[Curiousobserver]

I was curious why NG's two SILs weren't present?
imo

I think that would be more significant if one of them was, and the other was not.

This was her children, humanizing her to prevent further harm and get her released.

 

[Inthedetails]

If this was a deranged superfan of SG, TMZ makes plenty of sense, js.

Exactly. It's significant, imo.

jmo

edited to add: I have no idea if the perp is a superfan but that SG's fame is some sort of motivation.

 

[osu]

Anchor who saw ransom note said it came via email — and describes moment she knew it ‘might not be hoax’​

Feb. 5, 2026, 8:40 a.m. ET

An Arizona news anchor who saw the possible Nancy Guthrie ransom note sent to her station revealed that it came via email — and it was “clear after a couple of sentences” that it “might not be a hoax.”

“A lot of it is information that only someone who was holding her for ransom would know,” Mary Coleman, anchor for Arizona-based CNN affiliate, KOLD 13 News, told CNN Wednesday.

“Some very sensitive information and things that people who weren’t there when she was taken captive wouldn’t know,” she added.

“It also included a dollar amount, a deadline, and, again, other specifics that only Guthrie’s abductor might know, so that definitely raised some red flags,” Coleman said, adding that it was clear immediately that it might not be a sick prank.

[…]

“We immediately sent that information over to the sheriff’s department, and they’re, of course, looking into the legitimacy of it,” she said.

“One of the detectives did get back to us and asked us for some more information so that they can start searching for an IP address and things of that nature to try and figure out who or what people are responsible here,” Coleman said.

[…]

More at link:
Savannah Guthrie's missing mom: News anchor describes possible ransom note

 

[MadCowWisco]

Let me rephrase that to wheelchair dependent. Someone said she couldn't walk further than 50ft (or maybe it was yards) on her own? If that's the case, would seem that she would need her wheelchair or a rollator/walker for backup. Again, probably not capable of loading such on her own.

She had a cane in a walker. She used assisted living devices nit handicapped.

 

[SammiSleuthing]

I guess what I'm unsuccessfully trying to say - not everyone watches TMZ. Not everyone follows celebrity news, while everyone does know about news stations. But maybe I'm wrong, and I accept that.

I find it significant that the ransom-note writer of a crime in surburban Tucson picked TMZ to send the note but perhaps it's what would be expected. ?

imo

I'm not saying you're wrong, I don't know half the "celebrities" they report on. I was just sharing my personal experience working at news stations with the push and pull of pushing the story while not simultaneously getting sued into the stratosphere if it is erroneous. Throw in their dwindling audience and influence and it becomes frantic and a less obvious choice.
TMZ makes it easy for tipsters, msm doesn't.

MOO

 

[allboys]

I was curious why NG's two SILs weren't present?
imo

If a child is missing, usually it’s the parent(s) speaking. It makes sense with a parent missing, it would be the children speaking. Nancy’s husband would likely have spoken if still living. Personally, I think it was more impactful just showing them.

 

[FoxxTraxx]

If this was a deranged superfan of SG, TMZ makes plenty of sense, js.

Agree. Whomever sent the ransom note is tuned into popular culture. Savannah being a well-known TV personality. They used Instagram, TMZ, and Bitcoin. Must know technology to hide their true identity on-line.

 

[Magic8Ball]

I think the story of someone at church calling family is completely believable. But that doesn't necessarily mean it's true. (At this point, I happen to think it's true.)

jmopinion

It is to me, too, but only if she attends in person and regularly. As in every week, never misses a Sunday.

Also, I only find this call unsuspicious if she attended the early service and not the 10:45. If she attended the 10:45, then calling the family around 11:00 is completely unbelievable to me.

I attend a church that has a lot of seniors. Nobody is reaching for their phones during the service. Nobody is making wellness checks on absent members before or during a service.

If it's noted that someone isn't there who is normally there, a concerned friend may reach out to them after the service when they get home just to make sure nothing is wrong.

If NG attends the 9:00 service in-person faithfully every week, then the call makes sense.

If not, big NOPE from me....unless, let's say, a family member or someone close to her had contacted the church to say they were worried about her because they hadn't been able to reach her that morning and requested that the church check to see if she was there.

In that case, I could totally see the church following up with a call to let the concerned party know NG hadn't shown up.

JMO.

 

[Inthedetails]

Did the perp want money? Or to monopolize a celebrity's attention?

Or neither, and the crime is something different?

I have no working theory.

jmo

 

[clearskies1]

I was curious why NG's two SILs weren't present?
imo

There may also be a daughter in law. Not sure. Some of the in-laws may not be in AZ. May be in other states taking care of their kids. Seems like you would want to keep that video tight anyway. Just include NG's children. JMO.

 

[KellySleuth]

While it may not be THE crime, it would still be A crime

Agree. That wasn’t my point at all.

 

[Magic8Ball]

I wonder whether someone contacted the church that morning to inquire about whether NG had shown up.

It would explain a lot.

 

[Izzylizzy]

True and I wonder if it was known if NG always attended online only? Earlier it was mentioned she attended an event at church, but then it changed to dinner at AG’s house. The conditions the sheriff of the house makes you wonder what is the reason for the hour wait? Fear? Panic? Or something else?

If it became confirmed to Sheriff Nanos that NG attended church via online then he should have cleared up his original statement that NG didn't "show up" for church services.
That also led to much speculation asking if NG was still able to drive etc.
Speculation is what he said he wants to avoid,

imo