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

[HoveringWombats]

I find it hard to reconcile the ham-fistedness of the hoaxer and the apparent sophistication (at least in terms of obscuring their identity) party who sent the ransom notes. I'd be very surprised if these two were working together. But anything is possible in this case, up to and including the identity of the ransom note sender being known by LE and they just haven't told us yet.

 

[emigrate]

ebm thanks

 

[gammagirl]

I did not hear about a text to AG and TC... "Did you get the bitcoin". This seems significant as I theorized that perhaps there was several parties involved. When did this happen? Do they know who sent the text? The person was in a band in SoCal...do we know the name of the band? Did the authorities find out about this?? Someone take pity on this working gal and fill me in please...

Or is this in regards to the fake ransom guy that is being prosecuted?

 

[turaj]

I think it's because fake ransom person texted them directly

if that is confirmed very very odd.

 

[Sakura2Sophia4Lucia]

Wow, so the church report might be nonsense too?

I definitely believe that the church report is nonsense.

And actually significant since LE initially reported that a family member told LE that they went to check on NG at her house because a person called them from NG's church to let them know she wasn't there. But, LE interviewed the pastor who reported that NG hasn't been to the church services in-person since before COVID.

This was initially on the LE Timeline and it's been since dropped from the timeline. Likely LE hasn't discussed this since the first presser since there are some concerning problems in this story if the family actually told them that somebody from the church called them to report Nancy wasn't in church.

My thought is LE isn't discussing this because it's important in the investigation and they want to further investigate the involved parties without stating that they are persons of interest.

MOO

 

[mikeshanty]

if that is confirmed very very odd.

Is it that odd though? He may have somehow found their numbers and texted them as part of the hoax. Some people are messed up and do strange things.

 

[emigrate]

The fake ransom guy who was arrested and the SoCal band guy are one and the same. He had also emailed and texted AG/TC.

That is what I thought, is this now for sure?

 

[txsleuth70]

I find it hard to reconcile the ham-fistedness of the hoaxer and the apparent sophistication (at least in terms of obscuring their identity) party who sent the ransom notes. I'd be very surprised if these two were working together. But anything is possible in this case, up to and including the identity of the ransom note sender being known by LE and they just haven't told us yet.

Hard to reconcile? There's usually always a Brain and the Brawn. This guy is definitely not the Brain.

 

[SRWCF]

I don't think we can make assumptions about what's going on behind the scenes. The kids may be traumatized too and need one of their parents there. Without knowing whether it's a real kidnapping or not, would you leave your kids behind with anyone BUT your husband to supervise their care and safety? I sure wouldn't.

Exactly. And the husband travelling to be with SG with their kids in tow would be a horrible idea. Too traumatic!

 

[Elle*Bee]

Churches keep track of attendance (both in-person and virtual) so NG's attendance habits could be verified by LE via the church, if they desire that information.

Track attendance how? I'm not aware that any of the churches I've attended was tracking my attendance. Perhaps if a service is live streamed, one might be able to watch the comings and goings of its participants.

 

[emigrate]

ebm thanks

 

[mikeshanty]

I definitely believe that the church report is nonsense.

And actually significant since LE initially reported that a family member told LE that they went to check on NG at her house because a person called them from NG's church to let them know she wasn't there. But, LE interviewed the pastor who reported that NG hasn't been to the church services in-person since before COVID.

This was initially on the LE Timeline and it's been since dropped from the timeline. Likely LE hasn't discussed this since the first presser since there are some concerning problems in this story if the family actually told them that somebody from the church called them to report Nancy wasn't in church.

My thought is LE isn't discussing this because it's important in the investigation and they want to further investigate the involved parties without stating that they are persons of interest.

MOO

How interesting. But could they not quickly rule AG and SIL in by this simple detail? By asking them who exactly notified them, can you provide their number, what did they tell you, what time did they call you, how long did you speak? We know LE have their devices too. Perhaps it is just one aspect of stories not adding up that is leading LE to circle in on AG and SIL.

 

[iluvmyelement]

That is what Ithought,is this now for sure?

Yes. LE doesn't know why he was asking them for bitcoin if (per the complaint) it had nothing to do with the ransom of Nancy....so LE is implying that they are investigating if AG/TC owned this individual money or had a debt/etc or any kind of relationship whatsoever.

 

[Sakura2Sophia4Lucia]

Daily Mail said in one article early on that Nancy didn't physically attend church since the COVID era.

The New York Times stated in an article today that a church member from Nancy's church notified family members when she wasn't sitting in her pew.

While NG's pastor has clearly said that she hasn't attended church since COVID, it's curious, though, since NYT researches carefully and I would think they would be very careful about checking their facts.

Still, since LE has taken this church phone call off of their time-line, for whatever reason, it has been resolved or LE wants to investigate things further without drawing attention to the parties involved. MO

 

[HoveringWombats]

Hard to reconcile? There's usually always a Brain and the Brawn. This guy is definitely not the Brain.

Do you think he was the brawn? I think if he was physically present in AZ and involved in this, we'd have seen more evidence of it, even if LE didn't want to release that information yet. And I'm not sure what role "remote brawn" would play, but of course anything is possible. MOO....

 

[mikeshanty]

Do we actually know the current status of the investigation i.e. whether it is currently a (i) missing person / kidnap or (ii) homicide investigation? It sounded like it was (i) very briefly on Sunday, then became (ii), then unclear on Monday, then maybe back to (i) later in the week?

 

[K.jill]

Interesting conversation happening live on youtube... they said that the guy who was arrested for the "false" ransom had texted BOTH AG and TC and asked when the bitcoin was going to be deposited (or something to that effect) which implied that they were working together. This was around the 7:35-7:40pm AZ time mark. They also think this is what prompted LE to go back to AG's house to gather more evidence.

They also pointed out that this guy who was attested for the fake ransom note is in a band. Anyone know what kind of music they play?

 

[keek]

100 PER CENT they are. We will most likely get nothing more until an actual arrest/s from LE. IMO

 

[shonyakay]

While NG's pastor has clearly said that she hasn't attended church since COVID, it's curious, though, since NYT researches carefully and I would think they would be very careful about checking their facts.

Still, since LE has taken this church phone call off of their time-line, for whatever reason, it has been resolved or LE wants to investigate things further without drawing attention to the parties involved. MO

If her pastor stated this - I would believe him over NYT. Do you have a link? Thanks.

 

[Sakura2Sophia4Lucia]

How interesting. But could they not quickly rule AG and SIL in by this simple detail? By asking them who exactly notified them, can you provide their number, what did they tell you, what time did they call you, how long did you speak? We know LE have their devices too. Perhaps it is just one aspect of stories not adding up that is leading LE to circle in on AG and SIL.

Exactly. LE could also easily check phone records. Since this story doesn't add up and LE took it off their timeline, it seems that it's possible that this, along with other inconsistencies, has led LE to look more closer at AG and SIL without making anything public so as not to suggest they have a suspect or person of interest. MO