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

[Monepone]

I'm not from the area, but this Sheriff and his department doesn't seem like they are exactly on top of things in this investigation. What's the vibe from locals on the ability of this department to conduct a thorough investigation?

 

[cady]

What could they be looking for in a septic tank? A body? The only other thing I can think of is if the “kidnapper” said that they left something in there that would confirm that they’re telling the truth. I’m still thinking they were looking for a dead body. Can anyone else think of another reason they would have been looking in it?

Probably nothing in particular, just another rock to look under. JMO

 

[Gr3yW0lf78]

Something was obviously flushed.

 

[cady]

Something was obviously flushed.

"obviously" ??

 

[Gr3yW0lf78]

"obviously" ??

Why else would you search it?

 

[tbgo]

Why else would you search it?

A body being in it.

 

[Gr3yW0lf78]

A body being in it.

Well sure. That’s the jackpot. But I don’t think that’s what they’re looking for.

 

[Monepone]

What could they be looking for in a septic tank? A body? The only other thing I can think of is if the “kidnapper” said that they left something in there that would confirm that they’re telling the truth. I’m still thinking they were looking for a dead body. Can anyone else think of another reason they would have been looking in it?

Someone would have to be extremely familiar with the property to dump a body into a septic tank in the wee hours of the morning. And to do so without leaving obvious signs of disturbing the earth around the opening would be nearly impossible. They might be looking for something that was flushed, but IMHO this just wreaks of desperation on LE's part.

 

[Vegasgrl]

Why else would you search it?

The hole in the yard is big enough to drop a lot of things in. But, I don't think we have any reason to believe that the property was a secured crime scene. I don't know what they are doing.

 

[slowpoke]

To those who keep posting about how their 90 year old relatives are "totally fine and like a 25 year old!", we are all truly happy for you and wish them many more years of health and no sudden changes unfortunately typical for most elderly people (and which should and can be prevented with realistic lifestyles and safety measures).

That said, legally and logically, the question isn’t ‘can a 90-year-old be out late?’ It’s ‘what’s typical or expected for a person of this age with documented mobility issues, a pacemaker, and reliance on daily medications.’ Anecdotes about healthier individuals aren’t comparable. Courts look at whether something would stand out to a reasonable person given the same facts, not whether exceptions exist.

Source: I'm a lawyer

I don’t know what’s normal—for NG, who just turned 84.

Yes, I know they say she has mobility issues.and heart issues.

But then I also read (link) she is active with friends and sharp of mind, and sometimes picks up and watches her grandson (so I assume she still drives).
Moo

 

[JazzeeJean]

What could they be looking for in a septic tank? A body? The only other thing I can think of is if the “kidnapper” said that they left something in there that would confirm that they’re telling the truth. I’m still thinking they were looking for a dead body. Can anyone else think of another reason they would have been looking in it?

I’ve wondered if they found something at Annie’s during their search at her house Sat night that led them there? Just a guess, but they were searching Nancy’s septic 12 hrs after.

 

[nightowl2728]

I don’t know what’s normal—for NG, who just turned 84.

Yes, I know they say she has mobility issues.and heart issues.

But then I also read (link) she is active with friends and sharp of mind, and sometimes picks up and watches her grandson (so I assume she still drives).
Moo

Driving and spending time with friends is different than having the ability to walk around and having a medication schedule. She also didn't drive the night she disappeared, to our knowledge

 

[Turkeytrot]

I’ve wondered if they found something at Annie’s during their search at her house Sat night that led them there? Just a guess, but they were searching Nancy’s septic 12 hrs after.

Good point. I also wondered if maybe they just came across something forensically from cell phones or computers to point them there

Or a possible tip, even

 

[Gr3yW0lf78]

Who benefits from this? At first glance you might think a cash strapped daughter and SIL? I just don’t see it. It’s too messy. No body and suspicious circumstances? Good luck getting an insurance payout or quick estate settlement.

 

[whitelilac]

Could be that the neighbor has cameras in the back, or some kind of motion detector, that picked up something. Maybe called it in, so LE needed to check.
The septic tank is located behind the neighbor's wall. May have simply been wildlife, or coyote.

 

[cady]

Could be that the neighbor has cameras in the back, or some kind of motion detector, that picked up something. Maybe called it in, so LE needed to check.
The septic tank is located behind the neighbor's wall. May have simply been wildlife, or coyote.

Maybe a tip or just standard investigatory procedure. JMO

 

[sunshineray]

This is an exact quote. Any theories on what this person thinks a "Solution" would be?

Obvious to me, that person was talking arrest(s). Of course it's just MO. Do I give it any weight? Well it hasn't come to pass yet and LE are still sticking to the, we have no suspects. Has any reporter asked LE at one of the PCs if they have any POI's? It's also kind of obvious, JMO

 

[slowpoke]

Driving and spending time with friends is different than having the ability to walk around and having a medication schedule. She also didn't drive the night she disappeared, to our knowledge

I was responding to your question of “what’s typical or expected for a person of this age with documented mobility issues, a pacemaker, and reliance on daily medications.’

Since I don’t know her personally, I only know what I’ve read about her, and what’s typical for her.

moo

 

[Gr3yW0lf78]

Chief Executive said solution is imminent. Interesting choice of words.

 

[Turkeytrot]

Obvious to me, that person was talking arrest(s). Of course it's just MO. Do I give it any weight? Well it hasn't come to pass yet and LE are still sticking to the, we have no suspects. Has any reporter asked LE at one of the PCs if they have any POI's? It's also kind of obvious, JMO

No POI according to this, there was a statement earlier by LE

"Investigators were spotted searching the septic tank at Nancy Guthrie’s house on Sunday, one week after the 84-year-old mother of NBC star Savannah Guthrie was apparently kidnapped from her Tucson, Arizona home.

At the same time, the Pima County Sheriff’s Department shared a discouraging update — “no suspects, persons of interest, or vehicles have been identified.” The local cops said they do not have a press briefing scheduled, either."

Link below....

Nancy Guthrie’s Septic Tank Searched By FBI as Pima Cops Report There Are Currently No Persons of Interest Nancy Guthrie’s Septic Tank Searched By FBI as Pima Cops Report There Are Currently No Persons of Interest