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

[CaliforniaBurrito]

I admit it. I'm old and clueless about cryptocurrency. Are you saying that if the ransom were to be paid, the kidnapper wouldn't be able to use the money without being caught? If so, I'm of the mind that the ransom letters aren't real.

If the kidnapper spent a ransom paid with bitcoin I believe they would likely be caught. Re-sharing this link that I shared earlier:
NBC: Cryptocurrency is not actually perfectly designed for crime. Just ask the crypto cops. Think transactions in cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin are anonymous? Think again.

 

[tbgo]

I just noticed that Nancy celebrated her birthday on January 27th and this happened February 1st. She probably had some sort of party. I wonder if anything happened. Tensions rise? All speculative but it’s so sad that she celebrates her 84th birthday and 5 days later she’s kidnapped. There may be a load of family dynamics we’re not aware of.

 

[MyJoey]

i watched Harvey Levin and he understands the stakes here and thankfully is not releasing that info on location of Apple watch. Based on his experience with lots of crazy things he seems to think this is credible.

My guess would be that Apple Watch was on her night stand next to the bed. Crazy question but where does every one keep their watch?

 

[tbgo]

Was the Harvey Levin CNN interview posted already? He actually seemed spooked. For whatever reason he thinks the person who sent it lives in the Tuscan area. Something in the letter made him think that but he couldn’t go into what the letter actually said.

 

[sasha17]

Yes, Initial ransom note that was sent to TMZ and two news stations is separate from a more recent ransom note sent by a moron who was promptly arrested today.

To be clear, the moron who was arrested today didn't send a ransom note. He sent a text message asking if they were going to be sending the bitcoin.

"The complaint stated that Callella sent text messages to Nancy's daughter Annie and Annie's husband. The text allegedly said: "Did you get the bitcoin were [sic] waiting on our end for the transaction.""

https://people.com/individual-arrested-imposter-ransom-demand-savannah-guthrie-mom-nancy-11899709

 

[whitelilac]

To be clear, the moron who was arrested today didn't send a ransom note. He sent a text message asking if they were going to be sending the bitcoin.

"The complaint stated that Callella sent text messages to Nancy's daughter Annie and Annie's husband. The text allegedly said: "Did you get the bitcoin were [sic] waiting on our end for the transaction.""

https://people.com/individual-arrested-imposter-ransom-demand-savannah-guthrie-mom-nancy-11899709

Yes, you're right
sorry
Didn't he also stupidly use his own name iirc?

 

[sasha17]

Yes, you're right
sorry
Didn't he also stupidly use his own name iirc?

Yes, he used his full name to register for the VOIP account. The FBI criminal complaint with this information was posted earlier in the thread today.

Editing my post here to add: The guy has been arrested. He's not involved in NG's disappearance. He's a deranged man poking at the family. Moving on now.

 

[IQuestion]

The kidnappings for ransom that people are mentioning are from 40 or more years ago. Nothing recent in the US. With modern technology much easier to track people. But now we have this (if it is a kidnapping).

clearskies1, Oh definitely true....IF the parent/spouse or in this case children contact police. How many would not contact LE if told not to, by the kidnappers? I can only go with "my personal choice".... I would pay the ransom in a heartbeat and I wouldn't even try to negotiate one dime less than they requested, stall or ask for proof. (That alone makes me shudder.) And if my loved one wasn't returned, at least I tried. I can always make more money...I would rather live in a tent with my loved ones, instead of a mansion filled with regret.
I can discern the "prank callers" from a real life event....especially if Mama is missing and a ransom note was left on the dining room table.
Might be a good topic to discuss.....at another time.

 

[tbgo]

The ransom note that Ashleigh Banfield held up a few nights ago with a QR code on it, was that the fake ransom note? I would think that it was since they’re now talking about another note that had specifics that they won’t let the public in on.

 

[emigrate]

To be clear, the moron who was arrested today didn't send a ransom note. He sent a text message asking if they were going to be sending the bitcoin.

"The complaint stated that Callella sent text messages to Nancy's daughter Annie and Annie's husband. The text allegedly said: "Did you get the bitcoin were [sic] waiting on our end for the transaction.""

https://people.com/individual-arrested-imposter-ransom-demand-savannah-guthrie-mom-nancy-11899709

How the heck did he get her number? Everyone has cell phones it isn't like the old days when you could get peoples home phone numbers, man I am old.

 

[Interested Torontonian]

Is there any evidence that she is still alive - and is there any evidence she was alive when she left/was removed from her house (except potentially blood spots that have been tied to her).

Has LE said anything about the general condition of her house that explains why they think she was removed alive as a hostage? I know her phone/ID, etc was there - so it points to her not leaving voluntarily.

But the thing to me that is strange is that LE isn't saying that the internal condition of her home reflects a home invasion or there is physical/bio evidence of her being violently attacked within her house.

 

[investikater]

This is bizarre

 

[Interested Torontonian]

How the heck did he get her number? Everyone has cell phones it isn't like the old days when you could get peoples home phone numbers, man I am old.

It's actually very easy to get people numbers and addresses online from various websites if you know how to search for them. Scary, I know.

 

[Absoluterubbish]

clearskies1, Oh definitely true....IF the parent/spouse or in this case children contact police. How many would not contact LE if told not to, by the kidnappers? I can only go with "my personal choice".... I would pay the ransom in a heartbeat and I wouldn't even try to negotiate one dime less than they requested, stall or ask for proof. (That alone makes me shudder.) And if my loved one wasn't returned, at least I tried. I can always make more money...I would rather live in a tent with my loved ones, instead of a mansion filled with regret.
I can discern the "prank callers" from a real life event....especially if Mama is missing and a ransom note was left on the dining room table.
Might be a good topic to discuss.....at another time.

I agree. What I find weird about this situation is if legit, they waited at least 24 more likely around 36 hours before sending the first ransom note (the one sent to the local newstation who didn’t report on it). They knew that by leaving it that long LE would already be heavily involved.

 

[CaliforniaBurrito]

Hopefully LE has access to cameras on roads leading into and out of the area that may provide a clearer view of cars driving by at that time of night.

They certainly do have access to the Flock Safety cameras on the roads. t looks like there are around 2 ways to get away from the area that pass by license plate reading cameras and 3 ways that don't pass by them. License Plate Reading Camera Locations

 

[Charlot123]

no, i actually think the ransom note that they're still pursuing is legit and the person that took her did send it. i know i'm kind of an outlier for that lol

but the copied hoax ransom note is a settled issue so i don't think it needs to be posted about here anymore. it's just clogging up the thread, especially when policy is not to start another one (which i actually don't mind).

Well, I hope that the writer of the hoax note will be prosecuted. It is a crime.

 

[SaraSmile]

The ransom note that Ashleigh Banfield held up a few nights ago with a QR code on it, was that the fake ransom note? I would think that it was since they’re now talking about another note that had specifics that they won’t let the public in on.

The original ransom note was the “ real” one. Investigators are likely investigating, trying to identify sender.
The ransom note send yesterday, was a “fake” one, opportunist. This sender has already been arrested and is not involved in Nancy’s disappearance.
My understanding at this point!

 

[Absoluterubbish]

The ransom note that Ashleigh Banfield held up a few nights ago with a QR code on it, was that the fake ransom note? I would think that it was since they’re now talking about another note that had specifics that they won’t let the public in on.

Did she show a ransom note?

 

[Interested Torontonian]

This is bizarre

That's what I can't get over.

This crime involves her being taken from her home without the hallmarks of a violent assault or obvious robbery within the home.

Are there other well known cases like this - where someone was effectively "removed" from their house without leaving obvious tell-tales behind when they're Nancy's age and physical slowness.

 

[StarryStarryNight]

Today’s deadline was for payment from the family, not for communication from the kidnappers.
I hope they are just trying to figure out how to contact the family again without being identified, and that’s the delay. It doesn’t have to be by email.
The fear is that if the kidnappers cannot show proof of life, that they just walk away and the family never hears from them.