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

[Moonchime]

I fear looking at WS a year from now and finding this in the Cold Cases forum.
This whole thing doesn't make any sense.
I hope I'm totally wrong and she's found safe within a few days.

Oh, I sure hope she is found. I agree that this entire tragedy doesn't make any sense.

 

[thefragile7393]

Harvey Levin did an interview with Mark Geragos an A Lister defense attorney. He knows how these guys think. He said family just needs to pay the ransom and hope for the best...without proof of life. I tend to agree. Otherwise nothing may happen at all...NG is killed and the kidnappers may never be found. She might be dead but I don't think they have much choice.

oh lord Mark Geragos LOLOLOL. Too many memories of him

 

[birdbox]

The implication is that there is no more "search" needed. So, does that mean that an arrest is imminent or what on earth does it mean? And if this is "solved", then what's the delay?

Does anyone recall Bryan Koberger arrest? They followed him, watched him wear gloves to take our garbage at his parents, etc. Even after LE "knows" it takes time to get stuff buttoned up. When you know you've got the guy, you've got to get a slam dunk in court. They may be operating with the knowledge she may be deceased. We dont know anything for sure.

 

[missy1974]

Where is the link to a forced entry? As the sheriff has reported to the media that they won't be disclosing this

We went through this earlier today lol She is a verified insider. She doesn't need to post links.

@Aphrodite Jones Thank you for clearing up the 'white van' info.

I can't think of what changed from last night to today, but I was hopeful that we would get some news today Maybe they really thought they were on to whoever sent the ransom note. But they were wrong.

 

[shonyakay]

First of all, I want to apologize for jumping the gun regarding the white van being found. I got that tip from a valued source this morning, but all these hours later, I went back to my source and the tip was walked back. Unfortunately, there's been a bungled investigation, calling to mind "shades of Jon Benet Ramsey" where misinformation ran rampant. In fact, it seems Donald Trump was also jumping the gun yesterday when he suggested that information from the FBI or DOJ "could come out soon," hinting that a suspect had been identified. That comment was made over 18 hours ago, with no follow up -- yet. All of this leaves us in the dark, hoping that sophisticated FBI devices will be able to identify Nancy's abductor.

LET ME ADD THIS: Savannah is a person of faith who has total belief in the power of prayer. In fact, in 2024, she published a bestseller titled "Mostly What God Does," describing how her faith helped her during the most difficult times in her life. OF COURSE she and her family are praying and believing that Nancy is alive, and why would anyone want to squelch that hope?

At the same time, the intense focus on this case, fueled by the combination of celebrity, crime, and mystery, has become a national obsession. We have not seen this much media coverage since the O.J. Simpson case, and it makes sense that the public wants to help. There ARE signs of forced entry into that house, and many of Nancy's neighbors fear there's a killer on the loose. And meantime, LET US PRAY.

Thanks Aphrodite. This is such a sad situation. Do you know Savannah's family? Brother-in-law?

 

[korncrasy]

I also thought that SIL couldn't do it physically without wife's knowing because they live together and he needs an alibi, she would notice that he wasn't at home

Band practice?

 

[birdbox]

A revocable trust, especially when it comes to a person’s house, is a smart move. For many, it’s their largest asset, and it has to be sold and the proceeds get paid to whatever nursing home you end up in, until you run out of money and you qualify for Medicaid. Nursing homes are crazy expensive, I’d rather the sale of my home go to my heirs. Five year look back period btw.

You are correct. Its a brilliant way to protect assets from a nursing home.

 

[Napoli]

I share this opinion someone in the brothers background with military expierence

The focus is on savannahs status but wouldn't a military person be better at avoiding detection

I thought the plea by her son yesterday was luke warm at best. I would have expected a former military guy, career National Guard is what has been said, would have spoken more man to man..

 

[Moonchime]

would like to hear the sheriff say she is alive. That seems odd as he is always careful to just say she will be found.

He's also said, "She's out there." Well, yes, we already know that, Sheriff.

 

[Ghostwheel]

Very smart and on many cases when house is in a trust, its tied to their overall estate. There is a trustee and all assets are left to the trust. Then people designated in the trust receive payout and many conditions of the estate and trust can be setup. In my experience, so please dont attack, only people like with larger assets do trusts and estates, leaving homes as part of estate. In my experience in the world folks.

No attack here. Just saying these days with the cost of housing, putting a house in a trust can make sense even if you are not wealthy. But to make it clear, the trustee must abide by the rules of the trust, which usually includes following a last Will and Testement. This is just for informational purposes having been the trustee of my mother's revocable trust, so in my experience. And my mother's largest asset was her house. So revocable trust does not necessarily equal weath. But could.

 

[Fromeaster]

Band practice?

Yes

 

[Bridger]

I thought the plea by her son yesterday was luke warm at best. I would have expected a former military guy, career National Guard is what has been said, would have spoken more man to man..

This is exactly why I would be very reluctant to make a public statement about anything, or a public appearance anywhere, in a situation like this.

 

[shonyakay]

Where is the link to a forced entry? As the sheriff has reported to the media that they won't be disclosing this
View attachment 642509

Just to be fair wasn't there reports prior to this that did claim forced entry? I believe so.

 

[birdbox]

No attack here. Just saying these days with the cost of housing, putting a house in a trust can make sense even if you are not wealthy. But to make it clear, the trustee must abide by the rules of the trust, which usually includes following a last Will and Testement. This is just for informational purposes having been the trustee of my mother's revocable trust, so in my experience. And my mother's largest asset was her house. So revocable trust does not necessarily equal weath. But could.

Yeah you aren't wrong. Its one of those things where irrevocable trust may not= wealth, but almost always wealth= irrevocable trust.

 

[Cassie P]

Grok, write me a ransom letter.

Good point. Does the availability of AI prevent ransom note analysis for the purpose of psych profiling?

 

[HoveringWombats]

Definitely off topic but I would urge anyone who is reading this stuff about trusts and wills to consult a local attorney before making any conclusions about their own situation. How this stuff works varies pretty significantly from state to state, so the obvious correct thing to do in one state might have some downsides in another. Not a lawyer, MOO, but blanket statements about estate law are not always accurate.

 

[dogmom805]

I thought the plea by her son yesterday was luke warm at best. I would have expected a former military guy, career National Guard is what has been said, would have spoken more man to man..

On the contrary, I think the brother being a military guy, presents in a non-emotional way. Not to say he does not feel deep suffering. Surely all are short on sleep and in shock. Probably also was following a script given by LE or attorneys.

 

[shonyakay]

I can tell you definitively she has a trust because it owns the home.

Nancy L. Guthrie Trust

 

[Megnut]

Very rapid developments last night...

Very quiet today...

Lull before the storm --

I believe it's coming.

JMO

 

[Wsimm]

So I work in this area and odds are (with SG's knowledge/wealth and NG's wealth and age) NG may have a trust, not a will. A will is basic and has to go through probate, a time-consuming, expensive, public process. A trust would manage more assets, do so privately, and can set things up financially for grandkids, charities, etc. People would still be beneciaries and get money when she passed away. It would also manage the money that NG lives on and protect it in case nursing home care is needed, etc. But it would all be managed by a trustee. A trustee can be a family member, friend, or a bank/corporation. How this factors into a financial motive may still be the same as if it were a will. I just wanted to clarify in case it matters!

I would guess with her impressive income SG has probably removed herself purposely from any monetary interest in NG’s trust? I’m sure SG’s only interest would be in sentimental items. I am also guessing either SG or her brother are the executor of the trust.