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

[osu]

It doesn't really explain why Craig isn't going because of Nancy?

With SG’s mom going missing, NBC is concerned with the safety of all of their staff and ramping up security measures. There was an article posted yesterday that NBC is working closely with the NYPD to ensure the safety of all of their hosts and staff. Keeping Craig Melvin stateside is probably just part of those safety measures.


‘Today” show bosses have taken drastic measures to protect their NBC staff as Savannah Guthrie’s mom, Nancy, remains missing.

Multiple sources revealed to the US Sun on Tuesday that the network has decided to ramp up security and police presence at its New York City studio out of an “abundance of caution.”

“Things are tense at the studio, and as a result, NBC has stepped up security for on-air talent,” a source told the outlet.’


‘Today’ show bosses take drastic measures to protect NBC staff as Savannah Guthrie’s mom remains missing

 

[Moonchime]

Things that point to a ransom angle (MOO)

- NG seems to have left the property alive. (Blood trail suggesting non fatal injury, sheriff stating he thinks she’s alive)
- Ransom note mentions things potentially only the offender would know.
- Close relationship to someone famous (SG)
- LE seems to be taking it seriously, suggesting something in the note points to its validity and/or corresponds to the scene.
- Family was shown the note immediately and decided to put out the response video.

Things that point away from ransom (MOO)

- Waiting 24 hrs+ to make demands.
- An odd choice of victim (senior so more liability, SG may be famous, but non controversial)
- The Thursday/Monday situation.
- The extensive knowledge the offender seemed to have of the home and security systems (knew NG would be alone, smashing cameras)

IMOO, the ransom angle is a bit out there, but seemingly more likely as things play out. I’m leaning towards someone who knows NG abducting her for personal or financial purposes, but adding the ransom in it is odd. If they are keeping NG captive and going to release her once they get their payout, she would obviously identify them if there’s a personal tie. I hate to say this, but it feels like NG isn’t supposed to return regardless (I hope I’m wrong)

Thanks for this well-thought-out post.

It doesn't seem plausible that this was an abduction for ransom. If so, the abductor would have asked for a ransom immediately. Everything concerning the ransom seems to me like an opportunist who decided to see if they could persuade a family member to send Bitcoin to them.

Whoever forced NG out of her home, smashed all cameras, and removed her Ring Camera, screams out that this person is easily identifiable. It's likely going to prove to be someone very close to NG. Unfortunately, I don't believe she's alive in this world anymore. It's so very sad. MOO

 

[LAborn]

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

I think people are asking for a link, or proof of your opinion. Do you have one?

 

[floridafreshsqueez]

I was watching a YouTube channel with detectives talking about this case and something stood out to me. A detective said that LE would presumably be checking local pharmacies to see if any of Nancy’s prescriptions may have been filled, like sometimes they’ll give you a small amount of meds in an emergency. Not something I even thought about.

Would a kidnapper go to the trouble of doing that though knowing they’d need to keep her alive for whatever end result they expect? IDK about that. But that idea gives me a sliver of hope, although it’s overly optimistic I think to assume the kidnapper might plan at that level.

 

[OldCop]

You need a location to search, and there very well may be searches going on that we know nothing about.

John Miller was talking last night about how they’re doing everything at once, and not focusing on a single avenue.

So you’d have investigators looking at the ransom, people close to the victims, convicted offenders in the area, analyzing phone data/surveillance etc.

Exactly. A lot of folks don’t realize that when a person is reported missing, two parallel, intertwined investigations begin. The first and most important goal is obviously to locate the missing person. In tandem with that you need to find out the reason why the person is missing; that is going to be paramount in helping you find the person.
Once a determination is made as to the likely reason why the person is missing, further sub investigations begin.

Most common reasons why a person goes missing:

1. Intentional (adult), runaway, (minor)
2. Suicide
3. Lost
4. Injured/mishap
5. Stranger Abduction
6. Foul Play
7. Accidental death due to negligence with coverup
8. Mental Health Crises

 

[Vaderman]

If Nancy was kidnapped and still is alive, where would a likely location be on where she's being kept? The abductor's house? A storage unit?

 

[Nikynoo]

Something is telling me this whole ransom situation is a hoax and this story is going to make another 360 degree turn. I'm thinking LE already knows this and it's their way of smoking out the real perpetrator (s).....what's going to happen when there is no reply to the ransom request? Am I off my rocker or what?

I agree, I think the ransom note is a red herring. Is it possible that Nancy fell and hurt herself and wandered off?
ETA that wouldn’t explain the smashed cameras though.

 

[Izzylizzy]

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.

I wasn't addressing the work the FBI is capable of doing or does.
imo

 

[floridafreshsqueez]

If Nancy was kidnapped and still is alive, where would a likely location be on where she's being kept? The abductor's house? A storage unit?

Maybe? Or like an Airbnb?

 

[CrimeDawg123]

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.

To some just asking questions of him is being rude and aggressive. Pretty fair questions for journalists to be asking a sitting president. There are many journalists to choose from.

 

[Moonchime]

Shocking truth about mystery tip off that sparked Nancy Guthrie search

Fresh doubt has been cast on the tip off that first led to alarms being raised over Nancy Guthrie's shock abduction this weekend, the Daily Mail can reveal.

www.dailymail.co.uk

Fresh doubt has been cast on the tip off that first led to alarms being raised over Nancy Guthrie's shock abduction this weekend, the Daily Mail can reveal.

A fellow congregant at Nancy's church in Tucson, Arizona, was initially reported to have alerted the 84-year-old's family after she failed to attend a morning service on Sunday.

Curiously, however, a source has now told the Daily Mail that the elderly mother had not been at St Andrew's Presbyterian Church for years.

Ever since the Covid pandemic, she has been worshipping 'online'.

It is understood that St. Andrews does not have a large-scale Zoom call for online viewing, as some religious organizations do.


{That is very interesting--IS IT ACCURATE?]



TIMELINE:

Saturday, January 31
9.45pm
Nancy Guthrie, 84, arrives at her home in the

Catalina Foothills area of Tucson, Arizona.

She had spent the evening having dinner with

family, including her daughter Annie, who drove

her home. It is believed Annie is the last person to

have seen her mother, at 9.45pm.
Sunday, February 1
2am
Nancy's pacemaker last syncs with her Apple

devices at home. Investigators believe

she is abducted around this time.
11am
Nancy fails to arrive at her regular church service.

A member of the congregation calls her family.
Savannah Guthrie and her mother Nancy, 84
11.10am
Family members arrive at her home to find it empty.

zona home
Tucson
12.15pm
Nancy is reported missing to

Pima County Sheriff’s Department.


Monday, February 2
Sheriff Chris Nanos says he believes Nancy was taken against her will, between

approximately 9.30pm Saturday and 11am Sunday.

The home is treated as a potential crime scene and homicide detectives are involved.

Does anyone know if it is Standard Operating Procedure to call out Homicide Detectives right away when an abduction has occurred?

 

[floridafreshsqueez]

I agree, I think the ransom note is a red herring. Is it possible that Nancy fell and hurt herself and wandered off?

She wouldn’t have gotten far, she can’t just walk around the desert when she has a pacemaker. I know scent dogs are fallible, but I firmly believe a dog would have tracked her easily if that had been the case.

 

[moonbeams]

I think people are asking for a link, or proof of your opinion. Do you have one?

It's my OPINION.... how does one have a link to an OPINION!?

And as someone else said... just WATCH her DT interview in how RUDE she was. and... again... IMO... other interviews she's done. I've said for years how RUDE she is in her interviews of people with differing political views than hers.

so now every time i see someone give THEIR OPINION, i will see you and others asking for a link??????????

 

[MassGuy]

I agree, I think the ransom note is a red herring. Is it possible that Nancy fell and hurt herself and wandered off?

That was the first option they explored, but searchers, dogs, drones, etc, turned up nothing.

The sheriff said that this sort of thing happens all the time, and they almost never bring in homicide detectives for a case like this.

But he cryptically implied this was different, based on things they saw at the scene.

She had limited mobility, and that area is not conducive to not being found.

Additionally, there appears to be forced entry, and perhaps signs of a struggle/violence.

 

[StarryStarryNight]

I agree, I think the ransom note is a red herring. Is it possible that Nancy fell and hurt herself and wandered off?

No.
She had mobility issues and walked with a cane that was found in the house.
The terrain in her neighborhood is very rugged.

 

[MassGuy]

Does anyone know if it is Standard Operating Procedure to call out Homicide Detectives right away when an abduction has occurred?

Yes. They’re trained to handle major crimes, and an abduction can quickly become a homicide investigation. They assume the worst case first.

 

[floridafreshsqueez]

Also, I wanted to say that the comment by SG about pictures and sound being easily manipulated make me wonder if the kidnapper either provided a “picture” or some kind of video/audio to prove they have Nancy.

I know the outcome of Nancy being okay is not likely, but my heart wants to believe she will be. I just can’t co-sign on the worst possible scenario yet. The rare instances in which kidnapping victims have been found alive or escaped somehow give me enough room to have hope.

 

[Moonchime]

But they are amongst the publications who I think would print immediately without delay or handwringing about consequences. If it bleeds, it leads, etc.

Another network might be more cautious.

MOO

This is my line of thinking as well. TMZ has been very prominent lately, especially on YouTube, due to their coverage of the Nick Reiner case. Because of that, I’m skeptical that the so-called ransom letter is legitimate. I don’t believe the individual demanding Bitcoin is actually connected to NG’s abduction.

 

[Luna20]

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.

If you are referring to Nancy’s husband, he died when SG was 17 years old.

 

[Moonchime]

Yes. They’re trained to handle major crimes, and an abduction can quickly become a homicide investigation. They assume the worst case first.

Thank you so much for answering.