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

[HoveringWombats]

Nope, if they were indeed thinking this through in terms of tech they would've asked for ransom in Monero (designed as untraceable) instead of Bitcoin

You're not wrong about the traceability of Monero vs. Bitcoin, but huge amounts of ransomware attacks still demand Bitcoin. It's not as if Bitcoin has been abandoned by the criminal element.

I'm not saying that this was done by a ransomware gang. Just that it's not implausible for a criminal, even one who regularly perpetrates online crimes and somewhat knows what they are doing, to demand bitcoin. It happens literally every day.

Also, the previous discussion (by other posters) about why the ransom note writer would have expected the family to have cryptocurrency is not really relevant imo. Again, ransomware, pig butchering scams, and other cyber crimes demand cryptocurrency payment all the time without regard to whether the victim has any crypto. The point isn't about what they have, but about what the criminal thinks they can receive without exposing their identity. As DrGonzo said, Bitcoin is not nearly as untraceable as some criminals seem to think it is, but that's still why it's popular with them.

 

[MerlinFalcon]

I may be reading too much in to this, but I find it curious that Craig Melvin (SG's co-host) will not be going to Milan to cover the Olympics. The most realistic assumption is that he is staying stateside in solidarity with SG... but that seems odd to me. There has been no mention as to why he's staying, just they they had to shuffle things around. Does he feel unsafe or concerned for people in his circle?

I wonder if it’s because the Olympics are a happy event and he wouldn’t be reflecting that happiness while thinking of what’s happening to Nancy and Savannah.

 

[floridafreshsqueez]

I’m leaning toward maybe the kidnapper is a family friend, or perhaps a coworker whose advances were turned down by SG in the workplace? If anyone tried to get close to Nancy and found themselves not getting the access they wanted to money or SG, I could see that too.

Someone like Pam Hupp comes to mind.

 

[DrGonzo]

You're not wrong about the traceability of Monero vs. Bitcoin, but huge amounts of ransomware attacks still demand Bitcoin. It's not as if Bitcoin has been abandoned by the criminal element.

I'm not saying that this was done by a ransomware gang. Just that it's not implausible for a criminal, even one who regularly perpetrates online crimes and somewhat knows what they are doing, to demand bitcoin. It happens literally every day.

Also, the previous discussion (by other posters) about why the ransom note writer would have expected the family to have cryptocurrency is not really relevant imo. Again, ransomware, pig butchering scams, and other cyber crimes demand cryptocurrency payment all the time without regard to whether the victim has any crypto. The point isn't about what they have, but about what the criminal thinks they can receive without exposing their identity. As DrGonzo said, Bitcoin is not nearly as untraceable as some criminals seem to think it is, but that's still why it's popular with them.

True and a good clarification/addition. In this specific case though, I get the feeling "bitcoin" is used as a term someone not really that into the subject would use, like "adidas" for a certain type of shoe or "jeep" for an offroady car.

 

[moonbeams]

A good percentage of America has those views so you'd have to ask why this particular person. She's not super outspoken about it.

SG is VERY outspoken about it..... which is why i felt she was targeted with her mom being taken.... MOO

 

[Izzylizzy]

Humanize the victim. Deliver a message of hope to mom. Encourage the potential abductor to communicate. When I break it down, that's what I see.

I had no idea until getting to the end that it had anything to do with making a plea to whoever sent the ransom note(s) .
The FBI/team being involved in orchestrating this is hard for me to believe.
imo

 

[moonbeams]

SG, as far as I know, has never indicated personal political views.

Please cite a source.

Seriously? All you have to do is watch her.....

 

[floridafreshsqueez]

I wonder if it’s because the Olympics are a happy event and he wouldn’t be reflecting that happiness while thinking of what’s happening to Nancy and Savannah.

Have you ever seen The Morning Show with
Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon? IDK how close it is to reality, but on the show, the characters are very much attuned to one another’s personal lives. I’d imagine that SG’s co-host probably feels it would be weird for them to try and host it without her when I’m sure they were both looking forward to it and enjoy working together. I’m sure he’d rather be a comforting friend ready to help in any way he can than put on a smile in Milan and act normal.

 

[LAborn]

I’m leaning toward maybe the kidnapper is a family friend, or perhaps a coworker whose advances were turned down by SG in the workplace? If anyone tried to get close to Nancy and found themselves not getting the access they wanted to money or SG, I could see that too.

Someone like Pam Hupp comes to mind.

I personally think it was someone familiar with NG house, like a worker. IMO the only connection to SG may be that the kidnapper believes they have money for a ransom.

 

[clearskies1]

SG is VERY outspoken about it..... which is why i felt she was targeted with her mom being taken.... MOO

Seems like a complicated way to get back at someone for their political views. Have not heard of such a scenario before. JMO.

 

[moonbeams]

I may be reading too much in to this, but I find it curious that Craig Melvin (SG's co-host) will not be going to Milan to cover the Olympics. The most realistic assumption is that he is staying stateside in solidarity with SG... but that seems odd to me. There has been no mention as to why he's staying, just they they had to shuffle things around. Does he feel unsafe or concerned for people in his circle?

my opinion is to stay with his family.... safety issue... since NBC/Today said they have upped security to keep others safe. again... just my opinion.

 

[ab01]

I think today's press conference will be very telling. What they don't say might tell even more than what they do. We know LE always likes to hold their cards close to their chest. They typically only reveal information if they think it will further their investigation. If they have any information that they think the general public might be able to recognize, whether it be an eye witness etc I'd fully expect that information will be released. They have had a few days to chase leads and develop working theories and formulate a strategy since the last official briefing. MOO

 

[LAborn]

Seriously? All you have to do is watch her.....

She's a host of a morning show, not exactly a political platform. LOL

 

[MassGuy]

I had no idea until getting to the end that it had anything to do with making a plea to whoever sent the ransom note(s) .
The FBI/team being involved in orchestrating this is hard for me to believe.
imo

I was watching it with someone else, and I was describing what they were doing as the video was playing. I actually said “wait for it,” before they got to the direct message to the abductors.

This was a prototype of how I would do it.

You play to their emotions first, because if you do it backwards it is much less effective. This was for the abductor, not for us.

 

[armchairagatha]

Many people (thousands) posted their dislike for SG after she interviewed Donald Trump. They felt she was rude and aggressive and very biased during the interview. There were actually posts all over Facebook with pure hatred for SG.

These are not my views. I am just repeating what I read a few years back.

There are many more people who are openly critical of DJT compared to Savannah. Kimmel for instance. I don’t think this has anything to do with DJT supporters targeting SG or NG.

 

[floridafreshsqueez]

I had no idea until getting to the end that it had anything to do with making a plea to whoever sent the ransom note(s) .
The FBI/team being involved in orchestrating this is hard for me to believe.
imo

Why? Kidnapping is a federal crime and depending on the state, crossing state lines doesn’t always have to be a factor in FBI involvement. They have tools and resources that local PD don’t have access to. What may take a few days for the PD to accomplish can be executed much faster with FBI resources. Plus the manpower involved in this effort to find Nancy is needed.

I’ll keep my thoughts on our current FBI to myself, but there are plenty of good people working their behinds off in these agencies IMO.

 

[MerlinFalcon]

Have you ever seen The Morning Show with
Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon? IDK how close it is to reality, but on the show, the characters are very much attuned to one another’s personal lives. I’d imagine that SG’s co-host probably feels it would be weird for them to try and host it without her when I’m sure they were both looking forward to it and enjoy working together. I’m sure he’d rather be a comforting friend ready to help in any way he can than put on a smile in Milan and act normal.

I haven’t and actually I hadn’t heard of Savannah before this. I work during the day so I never watch tv until night time and also I am Canadian. I am slightly more familiar with Canadian daytime people than American.

 

[Curiousobserver]

I was watching it with someone else, and I was describing what they were doing as the video was playing. I actually said “wait for it,” before they got to the direct message to the abductors.

This was a prototype of how I would do it.

You play to their emotions first, because if you do it backwards it is much less effective. This was for the abductor, not for us.

Even the tone of the delivery was scripted. The appeal to the kidnapper could be paraphrased: ..we're not mad at you, we just want to talk and figure out how to get out this together.... I think that is why it was delivered by 2 females and not her son, whose voice might not have pulled that off.

 

[LAborn]

SG is VERY outspoken about it..... which is why i felt she was targeted with her mom being taken.... MOO

Nah, she's a pro. Money is the motivator here. JMO

 

[moonbeams]

ITA - I am getting a hinky feeling about this whole thing and IDK how to explain why. Her husband passed away not long ago, so if it was someone known to her, they would have been aware, making her an easy target. It wouldn't have taken much to abduct her. She was also said to have mobility issues and a pacemaker.

I despise abuse of children, animals and the elderly...the totally innocents of this crazy world.

??? her husband passed away in... i believe 1988? it was YEARS ago when SG was still a child/teen.