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

[Absoluterubbish]

I am of the firm belief after watching that video that if in fact the ransom notes are from those who have NG that she is deceased and the note yesterday informed the kids of that. I’m now thinking that’s what the “very sensitive information” was that the lady from the news station said was in the note yesterday. I think they broke their no more communication rule to inform the family that they can’t in fact provide proof of life like they requested but they still want the money anyway for her return. So sad.

 

[TheDinks]

I think NG could still be alive despite the defeat on the kids' faces. Even if she's returned alive, they're not out of the woods unless the FBI/police actually catch the person who did it. And even then, how do you recover from this?

They might have more information about the motive from the communication they've had with the kidnapper(s) - if it ends up being targeted, surely they're worried about themselves and their kids as well.

MOO

That scenario that just about everyone hoped for but seemed more and more unlikely is now (practically) determined.

Read all the posts.... realists can see exactly what Savannah's plea was saying

A few 'rose tinted glasses' are still hoping for the best but sadly that's never gonna come now...

 

[watson1]

Every wealthy person is going to have to up the security around their parents and children permanently after this, as it sets a horrible precedent. MOO.

 

[turaj]

In regards to SGs new instagram post. First impression is that NG is dead (idk why a kidnapper would admit that since it's their only leverage).

Very confused what return our mother so she can celebrate with us means. (Is this in regards to her recent birthday)

They end it by saying "we will pay" (pay for the return of her body? or NG alive)

JMO

there were some things said that make me think they are now paying for their mother's body. Give them the money and they will be given a spot to find her.

 

[amelia65452]

this may be a small thing but I am really surprised that LE has allowed comments to remain on. I really figured they would disable them. I wonder if there truly is someone sending the notes who is the real perp, if they would want that person to read the comments. JMO

 

[mikeshanty]

Is there a reason this is all playing out over Instagram? And not privately?

 

[Sessiebo]

I didn’t see that. Instead I saw what I’m pretty sure I look like when experiencing intense grief and trying to get my emotions back under control.

I sincerely hope it’s not grief at having lost her mum, but instead all the overwhelming emotions of what the family are going through, and that Nancy is ok

I saw a lot of pain, shock, and numbness. I’m sure she has read enough to know some people consider or or her husband as guilty

Yeah you guys might be right, idk what to think anymore. Let's just hope they find peace and closure soon

 

[DS2021]

If this is a legit ransom I don't know why they would admit she's dead. All that does is lower the chances of getting the ransom

 

[Bluewing3102]

But "celebrate with us"? Idk, i'm not American so i'm not familiar with using celebration in combination with a deceased family member. Is this something common in US?

This might be very deliberate wording to emphasize that she physically needs to be with the family (dead or alive) to provide closure.

 

[Donswife48]

I would think in this supposed situation the family would appear frantic rather than sad. The wording “this is valuable to us” rather than “our mother is valuable to us” I think says it all.

I read that "this is valuable to us" is something the kidnapper said, it may not have been proof of life, but they are responding to what was said.

 

[turaj]

I had that thought too. That they now know she is dead and they want to simply bring her home. But the "celebrate with her" seemed to suggest she is still alive. So I concluded the family have received a threat to NG's life and are now resigned to paying whatever amount is being demanded. But then the "this is very valuable to us" is a very odd thing to say about a live person being returned

i got the impression is "celebrate her life" ie memorial service. I thought it was just me but I think many here got that same message.

 

[auburnmomof2]

SG is a well respected, high profile, experienced reporter...I can't see her posting these videos if there isn't some merit to the hostage angle. Not only is there multi level law enforcement agencies working on this, she has her own personal security team. She's not just the average citizen dealing with a missing parent.
Just my opinion but after the last video, I'm feeling strongly that this is either a kidnapping for ransom or a complete smoke screen!
Where is Nancy!? And what in the world did that last note say!?

 

[birdbox]

Here is what is mind-boggling. How the heck does a perpetrator have 100% confidence that there aren't internal cameras? Its a fairly large home for an 84 year old lady. A lot of folks i know monitor their older parents, grandparents with an inside camera (sure creepy) in their living room, etc. It would be again, out of character of some mastermind "outsider" to boldly adopt a position that there is no ring subscription, no internal camera, no silent motion sensors that call cops. That is a hell of a lot of assumptions baked in that cake.

 

[BigCityAccountant]

I had that thought too. That they now know she is dead and they want to simply bring her home. But the "celebrate with her" seemed to suggest she is still alive. So I concluded the family have received a threat to NG's life and are now resigned to paying whatever amount is being demanded. But then the "this is very valuable to us" is a very odd thing to say about a live person being returned

I'm wondering if mom is having some health issues now due to not having her meds. Maybe the message was you better pay up quickly, mom's not doing so well. Maybe perp said something to the effect that since they haven't paid yet, mom must not be valuable to them or something along those lines. IDk--this is the strangest case I've ever followed.

Edit to add---I think there might have been direct contact to the family. Phone call or something along those lines. IDK---seems really strange. They are definately talking to the perp directly about something he said or insinuated to them.

My heart breaks for them.

 

[dotr]

Feb 05, 2026

Retired FBI agent & profiler provides insight in Guthrie disapperance

The search for 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie, the mother of Today Show host Savannah Guthrie, is in its fifth day.

www.10news.com

"This is a very arrogant crime,” Mary Ellen O'Toole, a retired FBI Agent & Profiler, said.'

''She told ABC 10News that when building a profile of a possible suspect, investigators will look at the victim’s surroundings and day-to-day schedule.

"You start to look at the victimology. Who is the victim, and where did the crime occur? The more we know about the victim, the more we know about the offender. That's kind of our mantra,” O’Toole said.''

 

[mikeshanty]

this may be a small thing but I am really surprised that LE has allowed comments to remain on. I really figured they would disable them. I wonder if there truly is someone sending the notes who is the real perp, if they would want that person to read the comments. JMO

It is strategic. The perp would see all of the sympathetic comments and support and LE would hope this influences the perp to do the right thing. FYI federal LE have an agreement with Instagram to monitor social media (in this case, SG's social media).

 

[Bluewing3102]

I read that "this is valuable to us" is something the kidnapper said, it may not have been proof of life, but they are responding to what was said.

Agreed maybe the kidnapper doesn't feel like the family is taking their demands seriously. So the family is reinforcing that it IS VALUABLE to them.

 

[FoldInTheCheese]

If the kidnappers gave that information away, they are utter idiots. The smart thing to do would have been to keep quiet on the death and just insist on payment for Nancy's return, then just disappear with the ransom and leave the Guthries with nothing.

They likely couldn’t provide proof of life and knew they’d get nothing. IMO it’s telling that they’re desperate enough to barter for a payment for her body

 

[EJB123456]

But "celebrate with us"? Idk, i'm not American so i'm not familiar with using celebration in combination with a deceased family member. Is this something common in US?

Yes, funerals are often called celebrations of life

 

[soap mama]

No matter how this shakes out, i wonder if we will ever know why NG? This is the genesis of this story and it's so confusing and inprobable.