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

[Trino]

The FBI will be doing everything they possibly can to keep the family members cooperative.

I do think the FBI intentionally distanced themselves from the "ransom" talk by dismissing it as "up to the family" what they decide to do.

Basically, my take on it was, the FBI can't prove (yet) that it's a hoax, but they wouldn't bet a million Bitcoins it was real.

Wasn't today the family's deadline to fork over the Bitcoin? If so, why would the family have waited until the 11th hour Wednesday night to put out that video asking the kidnappers for proof of life?

This is all a bunch of hooey and a total and complete waste of LE's time, manpower and resources.

This is not a kidnapping.
This is not a kidnapping.
This is not a kidnapping.

If I'm proven wrong, I will eat a whole lot of crow and all my words.

JMO.

At this point, anything could go, but I don't see a hoax. Publicity? If SG was involved in a hoax, this could ruin her career. SIL involved in the hoax? For what reason? It does seem strange that no one can give a reason for an 84 yr old wealthy woman kidnapped but nothing taken.

 

[Walela]

Would it be illegal for LE to plant a listening device in someone's home?

It depends on whose home...their own personal residence? no. Someone else's home I believe they would need a warrant....I would hope that they would need a warrant.

They could however sit across the street with a parabolic microphone pointed at your window.
moo

 

[SRWCF]

I Googled his name. He has quite a history.

Right?!? How is this guy not in jail right now, but instead out and about trying to scam others???

 

[txsleuth70]

great spot. 'Other areas' which means that LE either have suspiscions or will use that info to rule people in or o

Unbelievable.

Pretty ballsy and stupid to send an email and then call them! SMH

 

[academyrd]

The FBI will be doing everything they possibly can to keep the family members cooperative.

I do think the FBI intentionally distanced themselves from the "ransom" talk by dismissing it as "up to the family" what they decide to do.

Basically, my take on it was, the FBI can't prove (yet) that it's a hoax, but they wouldn't bet a million Bitcoins it was real.

Wasn't today the family's deadline to fork over the Bitcoin? If so, why would the family have waited until the 11th hour Wednesday night to put out that video asking the kidnappers for proof of life?

This is all a bunch of hooey and a total and complete waste of LE's time, manpower and resources.

This is not a kidnapping.
This is not a kidnapping.
This is not a kidnapping.
This is not a kidnapping.

If I'm proven wrong, I will eat a whole lot of crow and all my words.

JMO.

I tend to agree. So if it wasn't a kidnapping... was the kidnapping hoax part of the murderer's plan? A calculated and premeditated distraction to send LE on a goose chase? It seems pretty organized that the same ransom note was sent to multiple news outlets within 24 hours...

 

[ChiaPet]

I could also see it being connected to someone the SIL knows. Like maybe there was a gambling debt or something like that, the SIL knows all about the layout of the house and where the cameras record but it doesn't necessarily mean he was the one that physically went to the house around 2 am.

 

[browneyes]

but, they know the police know.

This reminded me of the famous Friends line “They don't know that we know they know we know." Just a bit of levity in this sad thread.

 

[ab01]

I just keep coming back to thinking this will be a crime by someone the victim knew. Probably pretty straightforward and simple in the end. I think LE knows a lot more than they are letting on, they just don’t have enough probable cause for an arrest and naming a poi won’t do anything to help further their investigation. I think the next update will likely be an arrest has been made. Which may take some time. moo

 

[hpj372]

i don't see how it's possible that the SIL does this without AG being involved because she'd know if he was gone in the middle of the night and either had to act as his alibi or has already reported that to the police (which i assume she didn't do because this case would look very different if that were the case). and i feel like it wouldn't be hard to nail down spouses lying for each other - i have to imagine it's fairly obvious to LE right away, even if they can't immediately act on it.

so, they could still be investigating this behind the scenes. maybe the circus over the ransom note is just to throw the potential suspects off LE's scent (i really don't think this is the case, what a massive waste of resources) or maybe it goes deeper and there was like, a hit hired or something? i just don't kno

 

[mpnola]

No, first time I heard about the uber driver and with them living 10m away, why would they not pick her up themselves?

Because they were having a party at their house? Busy setting up? Party already started and it felt rude to leave guests? They already had a glass of wine at their party? It was much easier to get her a ride from an Uber? SO many reasons and all of them would feel normal, to me.

 

[shadowsc]

The whole public ransom note is so bizarre to me. Like I'm no criminal mastermind, but if one was really looking for a pay day via ransom, wouldn't you like send it privately to the family and hope they quietly pay it before it blows up in the media. Once you involve a television national news anchor and TMZ and all of America watching, I would think the chances of being caught would go up significantly.

Also TMZ sharing things seems so irresponsible. I mean, I know that's what they do, but like even in a criminal investigation? They were just talking about the ransom note on their live today and said after today's deadline "the demands" change and after Monday, then it's serious, which yeah. They did wait until the press conference to discuss the Monday deadline, but I still felt they were going a little close to the line for an active missing person case. But I guess TMZ will do what TMZ does. Everything is events unfolding in real time these days.

 

[Sadi]

Idk if he is involved at all and sadly i don't think she's alive anymore. Gosh i hope i'm wrong

I’m wondering if she was deceased before she left the house. The person(s) were in the house for 30m, what were they doing?

 

[InkyEvie]

What is with the floodlight references?

Does anyone have a still of the floodlight? They mentioned it in the presser and someone said it was in a Brian Entin video?

TIA

 

[LAhiker]

No, first time I heard about the uber driver and with them living 10m away, why would they not pick her up themselves?

Maybe they were cooking dinner?

 

[Sundog]

MOO FBI seems to confirm that NG 's apple watch is the thing that the ransomer knew was left behind. Broken floodlight, anyone could see. But her watch? That was inside. That alone IMO gives great weight to the ransom letter's credibility.

JMO

But the ransom note wasn't sent immediately, so the author of the ransom note could have seen news about the apple watch. The FBI speaker at the presser appeared to nod his head in agreement when the reporter made that point.

JMO

 

[Deepinthought52]

Love John Miller. I still think it was a huge mistake. You had reporters walking up onto the porch where the blood was. A defense attorney will absolutely pounce on that.

Hopefully there is stronger evidence than just blood on front step

 

[Sadi]

Because they were having a party at their house? Busy setting up? Party already started and it felt ruse to leave guests? They already had a glass of wine at their party? It was much easier to get her a ride from an Uber? SO many reasons and all of them would feel normal, to me.

Possibly, but I know I would not have my mom take an uber when I lived close by. I would have her there early to help and visit too, but that’s just me.

 

[MassGuy]

I’m wondering if she was deceased before she left the house. The person(s) were in the house for 30m, what were they doing?

That's what I've thought since the beginning. I just wish we knew more about how the scene looked (ransacking, signs of cleaning, etc).

 

[SRWCF]

Because they were having a party at their house? Busy setting up? Party already started and it felt rude to leave guests? They already had a glass of wine at their party? It was much easier to get her a ride from an Uber? SO many reasons and all of them would feel normal, to me.

She could have also insisted on taking an Uber, not wanting to "bother" them.

 

[whitelilac]

I just keep coming back to thinking this will be a crime by someone the victim knew. Probably pretty straightforward and simple in the end. I think LE knows a lot more than they are letting on, they just don’t have enough probable cause for an arrest and naming a poi won’t do anything to help further their investigation. I think the next update will likely be an arrest has been made. moo

Thinking the same, and more so after today's PC with certain questions dodged.