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

[Walela]

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.

Yes...I agree. Opposing opinions have value too. If we all agreed, what would we all talk about....how smart we all are? I've thought from day 1 that someone in the family was involved. That doesn't mean I can't see innocent reasons for LE to search AG's house.

 

[LarryLujack]

I don't see it as making accusations. But you do realize in a lot of these cases we sleuth it DOES actually turn out to be a family member?

Exactly. It should never be policy that anyone can be "sleuthed" except family members. Silly, unrealistic and unproductive.

 

[TheDinks]

So was FBI only brought in to handle the ransom part of the investigation?

I really wish they were point, I hate to say i don’t have confidence in local LE…. but well ummm

No, FBI are taking an active part in all aspects of investigations, a lot behind the scenes in digital - devices etc.

 

[SRWCF]

Not true. Immediate thoughts of a random family member were expressed.

"Random" family member, but not TO specifically, right?

 

[Knox]

Direct quote from Tricia


Let me address this.
There is nothing normal about this case. The son-in-law may have been the last person to see Nancy alive. The sheriff has not cleared anyone, and he has also stated there are no “prime suspects” at this time.

Because no one has been cleared, discussion is allowed. However, it must be done using initials only.

The reason is simple. If someone is discussed as a possible suspect and their full name is repeated over and over, it follows them forever. Google does not forget. Using initials helps protect innocent people from long-term harm if they are ultimately not involved.

This situation is unprecedented for Websleuths. We are dealing with a kidnapping in which a family member was reportedly the last person to see Nancy. Shutting down the discussion of the people closest to Nancy and those who last saw her would effectively end the thread.

We are doing the best we can to balance open discussion with protecting innocent people. It is not a perfect system, but ultimately, we are a true-crime discussion forum, and when law enforcement has not cleared anyone and has not named a prime suspect, discussion must be allowed—carefully and responsibly.

Tricia

Thanks for bringing this up again, straight from the top Mod’s ruling.

Nancy had such a small circle. It’s certainly possible someone unconnected to her perpetrated this crime.

I haven’t followed closely but wondered about house keepers, landscapers or others who provided services at the home. They would know a bit about her schedule.

 

[MCB1151]

Honestly? Suspected them the moment I learned she has been at AGES house right before SIL dropped her home. It's always the last person to see them alive you need to look extra long and hard at.

I actually had zero idea about AB's statements, but family is always suspect #1, ESPECIALLY when they are the last known person to see someone who is now missing under suspicious circumstances. I think I've now flung suspicions here towards just about everyone possible because this case makes no sense.

 

[Napoli]

1000% agree on this!

MOO but SG has a secret or not so secret anymore, admirer. Something changed today. She didnt seem as distraught. She was trying to take back some control and she clearly didnt signal or say anything that indicated they were paying any ransom. This is going to be a crazy "fan" who didnt want her to go to the Olympics and found a way to keep her here. Something along those lines and IMO, LE is finally investigating that. I am very sad that her family has been totally eviscerated as being the perps, in debt, lying about the person from the church, being accused of being neglectful for letting her take an Uber , yet SG somehow has become THE ONLY SYMPATHETIC FIGURE. IMO, HER TALENT AND FAME, ARE WHAT DREW THE ABDUCTER'S TO HER MOTHER'S DOORSTEP. I know this post won't be popular. However, it's honest. SG became untouchable while her family was maligned. If not a secret admirer, then a contractor or someone who knew she was NG's daughter and there was means for a large ransom. I am surprised the ransom wasn't paid. IMO, that was a foolish move. jmo

 

[birdbox]

Long time frequent posters do not like the victim's family being discussed as possible

So was FBI only brought in to handle the ransom part of the investigation?

I really wish they were point, I hate to say i don’t have confidence in local LE…. but well ummm

And the cyberspace issue. Tracking IPs of any emails, crypto wallet, etc and to see if related to something with Savannah Guthrie being journalist high profile person. There are many reasons they can be brought in.

 

[swanniee11]

About 20 minutes til the deadline.

Here’s the latest from Sheriff Nanos:“We do not have any additional information to release publicly this afternoon. The investigation into Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance remains active and ongoing.

We understand the significant public interest in this case; however, investigators need time and space to do their work. If and when relevant information becomes available, it will be shared.”

https://twitter.com/x/status/2021006216357609567

I'm not sure exactly what we are to expect at that moment? I'm honestly asking. IMO

 

[Knox]

No. They were brought in early, likely because of their technical expertise.

But the ransom stuff is entirely their purview.

So were does this go from here? It’s almost 5 PM, if Nancy doesn’t surface. Next steps?

 

[birdbox]

i don’t want to report unverified information. Has anyone got any updates on a suspect?

Why what did you hear?

 

[DS2021]

Is there some chatter out there about it?

I haven't been anywhere but this thread.

 

[HoveringWombats]

those "proofs" of being the real culprit (along with the smashed back flood light) were sort of weak.

I have been thinking this too, but have been giving LE the benefit of the doubt on it for two reasons. First, we have not actually seen the ransom messages, so we do not know exactly what details they included. The information we're hearing resembles the game of telephone (with the first person in the chain intentionally being vague), and I really just do not put a lot of weight into "details" obtained this way. Second, I just have to remain hopeful that LE here are, while certainly not perfect, smart enough to realize if some "proof" is not convincing. Maybe that will be proven wrong, but in an information vacuum, I am choosing to give benefit of the doubt.

 

[DS2021]

Why what did you hear?

If its not from a reliable source its gonna get deleted

 

[SlimPickens]

No. They were brought in early, likely because of their technical expertise.

But the ransom stuff is entirely their purview.

I just can't fathom the idea that the FBI supported/encouraged/permitted SG to make those ransom response videos if they didn't genuinely believe that the ransom demand was authentic and compelling. I can't imagine the psychological damage that SG will have if it turns out that those were merely from an extortioner, that her mother is actually deceased and has been from Day 1, and that all of this was perhaps committed by folks in her immediate vicinity, and in whom she trusted the most. Just can't imagine the emotional fallout from all of that if it turns out to be true.

That's why I hope it isn't true. I hope that the powers that be have had answers for her that none of us are privy to. That she believes her mother is still alive not because of shock, denial, or faith, but due to those in charge of looking after her and her interests for the past 7-8 days being forthcoming to her. Because that is in their job description too.

JMO.

 

[Arkay]

Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light. -Dylan Thomas

@MassGuy


I think you and I discussed long ago that this excerpt in your signature is from one of my favorite poems. Not sure if we did or not.

Now I hope it applies to Nancy.

I hope she gave hell to whomever dragged her out of her home. Whether she is dead or alive, I hope she fought all the way.

JMO

 

[NavySubMom]

1. Family was last one to see her before she went missing.
2. Family was the one to notice she was missing from home and called 911 from there. (That means they had access to getting inside.)
3. Family's car was towed by LE.
4. Days later family's home was searched and photographed late at night by LE.
To our knowledge, no other homes or cars were searched (besides Nancy's).
Discussing family's involvement does not seem unreasonable.

I thought it was the family from the get-go. 100%. I still think they are involved. The ransom notes are red herrings, IMO. An accidental family-caused death, not thinking the cover of ransoms/notes would take on a life of their own. MOO.

 

[txsleuth70]

"Random" family member, but not TO specifically, right?

Correct. With the mention of bitcoin some hypothesized late 20-something/early 30's grandchild. Then it was determined that one of those (grandchild that age) didn't exist. When did AB mention TC day 2 or day 3?

 

[birdbox]

If its not from a reliable source its gonna get deleted

Post link

 

[JoeFromLB]

I fear this case has been botched from the get go.

The State Police should have been brought in IMMEDIATELY to help with this case. This tiny agency is not equipped.

Both Nancy’s AND Annie’s properties should have been sealed off as crime scenes. NO MATTER WHAT. Those were the last supposed places Nancy was seen alive. All vehicles should have been seized.

Then ALL the family members should have been dragged down to the police station and DRILLED. Questioned. Proved their timeline by providing corroborating evidence. Taken polygraphs, etc.

All electronic devices should have been seized.

All vehicles should have been seized.

And should have been done for purposes of elimination. Eliminate the family first. Then work out.

This is LE 101

These “statements” about driving Nancy home, at what time, by whom, and what exactly happened at the drop off don’t make any sense. Was it just the SIL? Was it Annie & the SIL? How does an 85yo woman with SERIOUS physical limitations get into her garage in 2 minutes? There should be history on that remote opener to show the average time it takes her. 2 minutes just seems way too short.

Crime scene experts should have gone over BOTH properties with a fine toothed comb. As well as all vehicles. These were places that Nancy was confirmed to be.

That first critical 48hr window has been lost here because of sloppy police work. And the delay of reporting Nancy’s disappearance.

We are now into the 2nd week and they are just now checking Annie’s house with Luminol. After the family has continued living there? And possibly doing a clean up??

They just discovered there was a camera on the roof of Nancy’s house. What else did they miss?

We have a supposed ransom demand that has not been confirmed legitimate.

My questions are these:

1. Why haven’t the family members been eliminated as suspects?

2. Why can’t they confirm the legitimacy of this ransom demand?

3. Why do they keep going back and doing basic things that should have been done on day 1 or day 2?

4. And WHY would the Sheriff go to a basketball game with a case like this going on so early in an investigation? Normally a case is worked by all involved without sleep for days. They’re not going to events. This is a very bad look.

This is heading for a catastrophic conclusion. In more ways than one.

Excellent post!
This sheriff's office appears woefully deficient in investigative talent.
Poor Nancy.
And where's the FBI??
It's looking more and more like a cold case that we might still be commenting on ten years from now.