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

[aafromaa]

SG video appeal to the public for help today is quite different from her video to alleged kidnappers on Saturday. I’m not quite sure what to make of any of this but I can say that she looks sleep deprived and likely has not been eating much since the news broke over a week ago. I just wanted to give her a hug and and fix her a casserole and insist she eat and try to take a nap. Prayers for her and her mom to be found.

 

[cherryleaf]

It's always likely. I many high profile cases it happens and you need to weed it out. One historically famous nationally covered kidnapping story was the Charles Lindbergh baby kidnapping in 1932. It captivated the country at the time. There were 5 fake ransom notes determined in that case.

Today with AI deepfakes fake proof of life ransoms for faked kidnapping using people's altered social media are such a thing that the FBI even released a PSA about it in Dec. 2025.

The deepfakes freak me out. They really do. I know there’s certain things to look for but AI has gotten very good. It can be really hard to tell sometimes. I found myself questioning if some of SG and siblings videos were deep fakes. I find it unsettling and somewhat frightening.

 

[Sadi]

If the ransom demand is determined not to be related to the original crime (i.e. a hoax/opportunist), and if they are truly as desperate/without leads as SG makes it sound in this last video, LE should really hold another press conference as it feels like there would still be a possible threat to the public.

They should ask for the public’s help again, here’s a picture of the blue truck we’re looking for etc., but then again, maybe they don’t need help. I keep bringing this up and will do my best to let it go.

 

[txsleuth70]

What's the specific time-frame for holding someone for questioning before making an arrest or letting them go? 48 hrs? Is Federal detention longer?

 

[shadowsc]

As awful as this sounds, SG also has her professional credibility at stake.

I think most people would just view her as a human who wants her mom back.

 

[stmichael]

The deepfakes freak me out. They really do. I know there’s certain things to look for but AI has gotten very good. It can be really hard to tell sometimes. I found myself questioning if some of SG and siblings videos were deep fakes. I find it unsettling and somewhat frightening.

There was a warning for parents that scammers use social media snippets to get your kids voice then call/text you and deepfake your kids voice for a ransom. Just horrible stuff. And yeah, a lot of the AI videos out there now are surprisingly good for the layman, Fortunately the FBI has some ways of detecting these things, but with the speed we're moving at that's even getting harder. Strange days indeed.

 

[watson1]

It was stated on one of the podcasts that LE were given permission to search AG home, no search warrant required.

A District Attorney is going to want both. Because a good defense attorney can challenge consent based on capacity at the time given - such as the extraordinary circumstances/emotional and mental duress in this case. IF the defense attorney succeeded, and there was no warrant, all the evidence LE found in the search would be barred. If LE had a warrant as well, the evidence is coming in anyway. It would be very unusual for LE not to have gotten a warrant, even if they had permission. Prosecution 101.

 

[Fargo]

I totally agree , why take her? Why take an old woman for seemingly no reason!? Now, we do see the occasional, extremely crazy, situation where they want their own of something so they take someone else’s. Like when a baby is taken out of a pregnant woman. Not pretending I know anything but I completely agree with you. JMO

Why did Chris Watts take his wife and childrens' bodies out of the house? Why did Scott Peterson take his wife's body out of the house? And so on, a hundred times.

My opinion only.

 

[Cassie P]

JMO, the previous video from SG and family pretty directly addressed the perps. If she wanted to address them again in this one, I think she would have been similarly direct, if not more so. I have a hard time reading anything she said in the most recent video as a message to them.

Whether SG meant it this way or not, I think there is an indirect but clear message to the perpetrators. SG is showing that she is coming out of her denial/shock/overwhelmed stage and taking direct strong action. She is going to use her legal, journalism, PR training and skills, as well as her national public stature, to get her mother back. She is appealing to the general public to keep their eyes peeled for anything that may help. This will put some pressure on the perps?

 

[Hanoi2009]

As awful as this sounds, SG also has her professional credibility at stake.

She also has a husband and children. Where might it go if she did pay?

 

[Curiousobserver]

It's not just about Instagram. The second this post went up, every major news outlet reported on it. Tonight, this will be the lead story on all the nightly news broadcasts. It's already all over Twitter, all over Facebook, and all over TikTok.

Every local affiliate and newspaper will also be broadcasting/writing about this.

I get your point with focusing on the outlets in the immediate area and surrounding regions, but you're going to have a similar result, only in reverse.

There's a ton of resources on this, and law enforcement knows how to prioritize tips, ie, people saying "I saw this online," as opposed to "I saw this that night."

The latter is what they'll focus on.

The nice version of Mel Gibson’s movie Ransom…

 

[EightiesBoo]

Why did Chris Watts take his wife and childrens' bodies out of the house? Why did Scott Peterson take his wife's body out of the house? And so on, a hundred times.

My opinion only.

For sure

 

[Elisaa444]

Seems "victim blaming" to suggest the family is involved, especially when there isn't anything to suggest they were.

I am waiting for LE to tell me they are not involved. My interest only peaked in that direction since Nancy was with family the night before and it was reported that 'family' was the last to see her (at least that was said in the beginning.)

LE always looks closely at the victims family/friends first. I personally haven't seen any victim bashing here, because the mods don't allow it, but if I missed it please let me know.

^^^ in MY opinion ^^

 

[Napoli]

No, it is not a game of clue; however, it has been said and still stands to my knowledge that NO ONE has been cleared and they have NO suspects, NO person(s)-of-interest at this time. IF they had said "the family has been cleared" then, of course, they are out of the question for discussion, but that is not the case - at least as of right now.

No one has been cleared, so it stands (within reason) that people will look at those closest to Nancy as that is what the professionals do as well. I personally haven't seen any 'bashing' but maybe I missed it.

Until the family is cleared or a person(s) has been arrested and charged - unfortunately everyone is a suspect.

MOO.

Does that include SG? Asking for a friend...

 

[aTexasDarling]

So many references to robbery here. I haven’t read anywhere that anything is missing. Also, for the time in the home. Did she leave in her nightgown or could she have changed clothes?

 

[Charlot123]

This is reminding me of that awful, tacky countdown timer for the Titan submersible running out of oxygen.

I don’t think the deadline tonight matters honestly, sadly I don’t believe she’s still alive. But if it is real that’s for the family and LE to think about we don’t need to count.

moo

Sadly, SG’s demeanor and tone today reminded me of a friend who, many years ago, told me that her father, suffering from chronic illness, had died. His family had fought for him, did everything, hoped for years. So when he died, there was grief but already some acceptance. Here, it looked similar: a strong, smart woman who is grieving but exhausted hope. JMO. SG faith is a supporter, hence it sounds dubious, but I feel that NG is not here.

Also: for sure, the G family has done all by the book, spoke with the specialists. I think that the specialists have advised them that the behavior of the kidnappers was at variance with that of professional abductors. This, too, might be a contributor.

 

[Hanoi2009]

Primarily, I think most who post here are deeply feeling and thinking people, connecting with others who are similar. I have seen very few posts outright slandering SIL or AG, but rather questioning certain things in relation to them. It’s the nature of the beast when an investigation is occurring and no suspect has been named yet. All in all, I think the majority of us mean well

Also, Occam’s Razor. Statistically, I’d think that most crimes are committed by those the victim knows in some capacity. Monica Tepe, Drew or Scott Peterson, the GOP gubernatorial candidate from Minnesota today lost her daughter to the husband who killed her. It’s the saddest but most likely explanation- even with strange ransoms notes.

 

[kalekona]

We don't know that LE didn't get a search warrant. they likely did. They ALSO may have asked for, and received, permission. Belt and suspenders approach, and also to see if the party will consent. That may tell you something. Just my opinions, fwiw.

Correct we don't know for sure but so far no one has been able to find one.

 

[tarabull]

NYP article fwiw

Why the Nancy Guthrie Kidnap Theory Doesn't Add Up – Savannah and Her Family Should Prepare for the Worst: Crime Expert

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/opinion/why-the-nancy-guthrie-kidnap-theory-doesnt-add-up-savannah-and-her-family-should-prepare-for-the-worst-crime-expert/vi-AA1W0K2I?ocid=BingNewsSerp

 

[Elisaa444]

I think everyone is entitled to their own opinion, even if we disagree, we should be respectful. Just because someone thinks a family member is or isn’t involved, let them share their thoughts. Yes, I’ve said I think family is involved and I right now I still do. If it turns out I’m wrong, I’ll admit it.

Thank You. EveryONE is entitled to their opinion whether we like it or not and as long as it follows the rules here it shouldn't be an issue. If there was 'bashing' of the family Tricia and the mods would definitely address it.

MOO