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

[Bluewing3102]

After thinking about the video something doesn't make sense to me: WHY WOULD A SUSPECT REVEAL THAT NG IS DEAD PREEMPTIVELY IN THE SECOND NOTE?

The mystery of NG being alive is the only leverage the kidnapper has. If the first ransom letter gave two deadlines with Monday being the hard deadline. Why not just let the family sweat it out whether to pay the demand. And come Monday if they didn't then you announce she is dead and that you'll return the body for a price?

Maybe suspect is worried that LE is closing in and running out of time?

JMO

 

[Bodhi]

no remorse. With the attention on this case not sure how they will deliver the body but for sure not releasing NG alive.

Unfortunately, leaving a body in a remote area at night entails little risk of getting identified or caught. Stop for a few minutes with no cars around, and you're quickly on your way. Email the location after you're well clear.

This kidnapper is likely to choose a remote area even if Nancy is alive. Someone concerned about the well-being of an 84-year-old woman, which they clearly do not, would drop her off somewhere with low-density population but where she'd get help quickly. But that would increases their exposure.

I expect if the ransom-emailers are the kidnappers, they will release her alive or place her body someplace remote. The body language in the video is heartbreaking. The lack of hope. The look of utter defeat. I wish them all strength tonight.

 

[mikeshanty]

I rewatched the anchorwoman who got the second note yesterday and from her tone and demeanor, I don't think the note said that Nancy was deceased.

https://twitter.com/x/status/2019954906225127539

This assumes it is the same message SG refers to. If it is, by the fact the news station said the note was "alarming", the most plausible explanation is that SG's "we understand" comment refers to something the perp said about what they will do if they are not paid by Monday. TMZ also said the previous letter had something "consequential".

 

[SaraSmile]

MassGuy said:
I've never followed a case this complex, but I have followed countless cases. In doing so, it's easy for me to gauge where law enforcement is with an investigation.

Not only am I not seeing an indication that they are lost, but I'm seeing the opposite. We're not seeing all the things we usually see when that's the case.

Press conferences have become more sporadic, no regular press releases, and they're not asking for tips about vehicles or persons of interest.

I see a focused homicide case.

***
Mass Guy, you have an excellent track record with crime cases, and I'm so glad to hear you say this. I agree with you that it's a complex case and that she likely didn't leave the house alive. If she did leave the house alive, I cannot fathom NG being alive at this point. And I hope we're wrong. MO

Thank you for always be measured, wise, and to the point. I really appreciate it.
I left for 6 hours, 50 pages to read. I need to see the Instagram video to catch up, from the comments, it sounds very sad.

 

[katydid23]

• It didn't narrow it down too much for me:

• I have an exercise for those of you who wish to try this. Ask your favorite AI or even internet query the demographics of someone who uses bitcoin, follows TMZ, and knows how to use tools to hide their identity on the internet. Then ask what occupations frequently use those tools. Then be creeped out like I am.
  
  Amateur opinion and speculation only

• Technology & Cybersecurity: Software developers, security analysts, and penetration testers use these tools as a standard part of their workflow to test defenses and protect intellectual property.
• Digital Marketing & Research: SEO professionals, market researchers, and e-commerce teams rely on proxies and privacy tools to collect pricing data and competitive intelligence without being blocked by websites.
• Journalism & Legal: Investigative journalists and legal counsel use encryption and identity-hiding tools to communicate with sensitive sources and protect client-attorney privilege.
• Freelance & Gig Economy: Freelance writers, programmers, and consultants(especially in Web3) often use these tools to secure their connections while working from various remote locations.
• Finance & Compliance: Compliance officers and crypto analysts use these tools to securely navigate global regulatory frameworks and manage blockchain-based transactions.
  

 

[auburnmomof2]

I'm wondering if they got a new note saying they could celebrate her life because she's no longer alive?
Mho

 

[Qbert]

I agree it appears she’s no longer with us but what gets me is why do they say “celebrate WITH her” to me that indicates someone who is still alive. Again, I think they’re responding in some way to something the captor wrote in a message. But the word ‘with’ to me is really not indicating she’s deceased as of this moment. We can try and spin it in any way, but usually you’re not celebrating WITH a dead person, you’re celebrating the dead person.

Yeah, that wording is throwing me off as well and agree with your thought's. But then when she says “This is the only way we will have peace” that sounds more ominous.

 

[DizzyB]

The amount of rage I would feel, I don’t think I could make a video telling you I will pay you for the body of my mother, whom you murdered.

 

[birdbox]

Ok, this might be my wildest speculation to date. You know how on 9/11 the terrorist knew they could not directly engage the US military, so they created this clever way to install fear in Americans by hitting the twin towers and civilain targets as pay back for ongoing presence of US in middle east? OK, hear me out. Lets say this is a payback for Venezuela due to US "kidnapping" their president as well as anger for ongoing ICE raids. There is no scenario where they engage us militarily. But many nations have mercenaries. Let's say they sought a high profile soft target (a media person's family) for launching this payback. It creates complete fear in US. NG could very well be in Mexico right now on property of mercenaries who are united against Venezula and ICE events. But, i honestly think she is deceased and I don't believe this theory. Just wanted to type it in here.

 

[soap mama]

Likely due to the fact no number, address or other way to directly communicate was provided in the notes?

I understand they didn't leave their address etc

But still find insta to be interesting, as opposed to televised broadcast. But who knows. This whole case is

 

[thefragile7393]

Perhaps she is no longer wearing her wedding ring.

heck of a lot of speculation. I wouldn't read too much into it.

 

[outloudthink]

Here's a thought...if the SIL pulled up to the front of the home for NG to enter through the front door, the SIL could've opened the garage door without her knowing to meet her at the front door from inside the home. All the while, it appears he is waiting out front to be sure she gets in okay.

If the perp entered the home through the garage and met her at the front door, that explain why NG’s car was towed.

 

[academyrd]

Unfortunately, leaving a body in a remote area at night entails little risk of getting identified or caught. Stop for a few minutes with no cars around, and you're quickly on your way. Email the location after you're well clear.

This kidnapper is likely to choose a remote area even if Nancy is alive. Someone concerned about the well-being of an 84-year-old woman, which they clearly do not, would drop her off somewhere with low-density population but where she'd get help quickly. But that would increases their exposure.

I expect if the ransom-emailers are the kidnappers, they will release her alive or place her body someplace remote. The body language in the video is heartbreaking. The lack of hope. The look of utter defeat. I wish them all strength tonight.

I hate to say it but there will be no return of her alive. That’s just not happening a week plus later. Far too great of a risk for the supposed kidnapper even if she is still somehow alive.

 

[mikeshanty]

Unfortunately, leaving a body in a remote area at night entails little risk of getting identified or caught. Stop for a few minutes with no cars around, and you're quickly on your way. Email the location after you're well clear.

This kidnapper is likely to choose a remote area even if Nancy is alive. Someone concerned about the well-being of an 84-year-old woman, which they clearly do not, would drop her off somewhere with low-density population but where she'd get help quickly. But that would increases their exposure.

I expect if the ransom-emailers are the kidnappers, they will release her alive or place her body someplace remote. The body language in the video is heartbreaking. The lack of hope. The look of utter defeat. I wish them all strength tonight.

I sadly worry that even if NG survived the initial kidnap, going through captivity and then dumped somewhere remote would be too much strain for someone of her age. It's very upsetting.

 

[thefragile7393]

Ok, this might be my wildest speculation to date. You know how on 9/11 the terrorist knew they could not directly engage the US military, so they created this clever way to install fear in Americans by hitting the twin towers and civilain targets as pay back for ongoing presence of US in middle east? OK, hear me out. Lets say this is a payback for Venezuela due to US "kidnapping" their president as well as anger for ongoing ICE raids. There is not scenario where they engage us militarily. But many nations have mercenaries. Let's say they sought a high profile soft target (a media person's family) for launching this payback. It creates complete fear in US. NG could very well be in Mexico right now on property of mercenaries who are united against Venezula and ICE events. But, i honestly think she is deceased.

um...no. IMO

 

[CSIDreamer]

Where would a body even be deposited in this kind of scenario? It would have to be somewhere extremely remote and undetectable by cameras and to allow enough time for a getaway. It is truly unthinkable that someone's body could be dumped somewhere remote for LE to collect. My heart breaks for this family.

Hm. Maps?

 

[soap mama]

Ok, this might be my wildest speculation to date. You know how on 9/11 the terrorist knew they could not directly engage the US military, so they created this clever way to install fear in Americans by hitting the twin towers and civilain targets as pay back for ongoing presence of US in middle east? OK, hear me out. Let's say this is a payback for Venezuela due to US "kidnapping" their president as well as anger for ongoing ICE raids. There is not scenario where they engage us militarily. But many nations have mercenaries. Let's say they sought a high profile soft target (a media person's family) for launching this payback. It creates complete fear in US. NG could very well be in Mexico right now on property of mercenaries who are united against Venezula and ICE events. But, i honestly think she is deceased.

Or the release of the Epstein files a few days prior. Maybe SG interviews with victims ticked someone off and this is a warning shot

 

[unresolvedmystery]

I understand they didn't leave their address etc

But still find insta to be interesting, as opposed to televised broadcast. But who knows. This whole case is

I know what you mean, have come to believe since the first video they made that while LE may have offered advice, the family are doing this on their own and maybe even against LE advice?

Still cant shake the feeling all of this is much more local then it appears.

 

[su5ie]

I still have the belief that the kidnap for ransom is possibly not the real deal here and you're right, whomever is doing it, if caught, should receive severe punishment.

I sincerely hope there is not two crimes happening here and that the ransom is a scam and Nancy's disappearance is not a separate homicide .

 

[soap mama]

Thank you for always be measured, wise, and to the point. I really appreciate it.
I left for 6 hours, 50 pages to read. I need to see the Instagram video to catch up, from the comments, it sounds very sad.

I gave up trying to read everything two days ago. I'm on a wing and a prayer over here!