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

[aafromaa]

Interesting, I’ve been wondering about that. I kinda figured it had to be specific and not in a general/common area but you never know

Choosing TMZ is curious and possibly telling. My gut reaction is that the letter author is younger, like no older than 30. Not entirely excluding a boomer, gen x, or elder millenial but it wasn’t even sent to TMZ and NBC (which would be the more obvious/logical choice), it was sent to a celebrity gossip site that doesn’t have the classiest reputation — why? I mean that’s weird, it just is. Strikes me as teenage behavior honestly (or someone trying to pose as one)

moo

I can follow your logic but there could be other reasons for choosing TMZ in addition to the local stations. TMZ suggested that they were chosen because the sender wanted to know it had been received and the local stations who received it before they did weren’t disclosing it. See the link to the news nation article below.

But also I am not sure that the 2 local stations and TMZ were the only places that it was sent just because they are the only ones that acknowledged they received it. My first thought when it came out was why not send it to NBC or a local NBC affiliate? But maybe they did and maybe NBC chose not to disclose that. How would we know?

And regarding whether sending it to TMZ was from someone under 30…. Well I am considerably over 30 (more than twice that) and well aware that TMZ often talks about things sooner and/or discloses info that news agencies might not.

What we know about the ransom notes in the Nancy Guthrie case

Both TMZ and KOLD representatives said wording in the messages suggests the sender has familiarity with the Tucson area.

www.newsnationnow.com

 

[shonyakay]

Feb 10, 2026
Nancy Guthrie remains missing from her Tucson-area home and the search continues 10 days after her disappearance. Here's the latest in the investigation.
Updated February 10, 2026, 8:19 AM EST

Nancy Guthrie live updates: No ongoing talks between family and suspected kidnappers, FBI says

Follow live updates as the search for Nancy Guthrie, mother of "TODAY" show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, continues into its second week.

www.nbcnews.com

• 'Authorities said they are working around the clock for a break in the investigation into the disappearance of “TODAY” co-anchor Savannah Guthrie's mother. The FBI said yesterday that it had not identified any suspects or persons of interest.
• Nancy Guthrie, 84, was dropped off at her home outside Tucson, Arizona, the night of Jan. 31 and was reported missing about noon Feb. 1.
• The family believes Guthrie is “still out there,” and is asking for the public's help in finding her. In a video on social media yesterday, Savannah Guthrie asked viewers to report anything “strange” to law enforcement. “We are at an hour of desperation, and we need your help,” she said.
• The FBI said yesterday that it is “not aware of any continued communication between the Guthrie family and suspected kidnappers.”

She IS still out there but in what condition? Sheriff Nanos stated that it could be fatal for Nancy if she goes without her medication for 24 hours.
The Arizona DPS alert stated that her medication was found in her home.

 

[Cipher Vale]

Does the fact that the Guthrie's gave LE a consent to search their (AG's) home per Brian Entin change anyone's opinion about their speculated involvement?

Doesn't change mine. Do we know who gave consent? Did the person consenting not know the other's involvement? Could be that the perp believes they left zero evidence and not consenting would bring undue suspicion. This is such a high profile case that they may feel compelled to consent. Also, is there evidence it was "consent" or "they let them"? Could a lawyer have recommended consent, knowing there was a warrant anyway?

Just as refusing consent doesn't make you guilty, consenting doesn't make you innocent.

 

[SMK777]

I also find it strange that other than the search by LE, there hasn’t been the big community search teams out every day searching around NG’s house.

True. Why would this be, I wonder?

 

[txsleuth70]

A Fox guest noted this morning that in the case of a missing family member, 80% of the time family or family associate are involved.

Having said that, I am going back to where it was mentioned on this thread that an unknown white van had been in the neighborhood that week.

Thinking is it a simple crime of opportunity by individuals who really don't know how to go about a kidnapping very well. Maybe non American. They simply want bitcoin, money . Smart enough to dismantle cameras and wait to see if police come. But not smart enough to engage directly with family to make the plan work.

And they wouldn't have known NG health condition, unpreared for that. After awhile it's all not worth it to them after all, and we tried to take care of her as best as we could. They uproot and go back to where they are from and NG is simply left to be found by someone. All haphazard.

Dumb and dumber or brilliantly planned. Hmmmm

Agreed. Said as much in two sentences yesterday. This was not planned as a kidnapping. They don't want to off her or would have done so quietly and walked away.

 

[cady]

It's very disturbing.

They say (article up thread; can't find now) that it doesn't appear to be a kidnapping for ransom, or a robbery.

And yet my own theory shared by others about SIL doesn't seem to be holding up (the church call verification [odd that it hit media right after we were discussing it here for pages]; no apparent signs that they had money issues, etc.

So I am now much less certain of any involvement by SIL. I guess only time will tell.

This has become bizarre.
I agree with you that it is looking like it may never be solved.

RE: SIL. Motive, means, opportunity just don't fit. I have to do brain acrobatics to think that he would do this. He would have to have had help and not care about what this would do to his wife and son, and he stood to benefit from an inheritance in the not-to-distant future, being AG's husband. Not likely that he has harbored a dislike for Nancy for twenty years and he and AG, at least, on the surface seem to be content with their chosen lifestyles. JMO JMO

 

[HoveringWombats]

I keep thinking about this message posted yesterday from Brian Entin. "New leads" that are bringing an "active presence" to both Guthrie houses.

Yeah, I've been thinking about this too. And how odd it seems that they sent this out, proactively, and then... As far as I have seen, virtually no activity at those houses (someone, please correct me if I've missed something). The police clearly can just show up at the houses without announcing it. Why announce it and then not show up? There's probably a mundane explanation (e.g. they are planning stuff today and just announced it early), but it just seems like yet another example of poor communication here. Another self-inflicted wound to credibility. JMO

 

[txsleuth70]

She IS still out there but in what condition? Sheriff Nanos stated that it could be fatal for Nancy if she goes without her medication for 24 hours.
The Arizona DPS alert stated that her medication was found in her home.

Key words "could be fatal" doesn't mean it would be. Especially not right away. Even in the case of needing and not getting insulin, you'd be surprised how long someone can be non-compliant until they get truly sick and in an emergent state. Same for dialysis and other conditions. Sheriff stressed that, in part, to appeal to emotions.

 

[SMK777]

I keep thinking about this message posted yesterday from Brian Entin. "New leads" that are bringing an "active presence" to both Guthrie houses.

https://twitter.com/x/status/2021008852385477030

Then we're hearing about DNA testing. Maybe that's related.

MOO

What I can't figure out is that if it may have been a worker familiar with the home-- if they now say neither robbery nor kidnapping for ransom are likely, then what would have been the motive?

Nothing is adding up.

 

[shonyakay]

For me, no. I'm also not digging me heels in over this either. However, LE seemed to go in with a purpose. They were not snooping around. It's always better if the homeowner gives consent and steps aside. I believe LE was going in regardless. Maybe not at that moment, but they would have been back with a warrant (assuming they didn't already have one). IMO

BE stated he wasn't aware of any warrants.

 

[Curiousobserver]

This is a very confusing case, every theory has major problems.

Theory 1- The SIL did this. This is statistically favorable, most people who are victims of violent crimes are injured by someone they know. We know she arrived at AG's home from the Uber driver. We know she came back to the home because the pacemaker pinged there and her possessions were there, hearing aids, phone (which she would have needed for the Uber), keys, wallet and her blood is there, in addition to the camera going offline and face detection. For the SIL to have done this he would have needed to return undetected in the middle of the night, killed his MIL, hid her body, then returned home all while leaving no digital trace and not alerting his wife (or she could be his accomplice). The timeline seems to suggest someone who was comfortable at the site and may have had some familiarity with the layout of the house; i.e. they felt comfortable walking around and exploring, or they knew there was a back door. This seems like a story that would fall apart easily under questioning or a forensic examination of their car, phones, cameras at the Circle K etc...

Theory #2- Someone did this purposely for ransom. Statistically unlikely. The only indication of this is the ransom note but the details in it that seem to indicate the perp was at the crime scene were all available online before the note arrived- pictures of her white apple watch, google images of her home with floodlights, which almost everyone has, news reports showing the home with a damaged floodlight before the ransom note arrived, and finally no actual proof of life. The note could have been produced from publicly available information.

Theory #3- A robbery gone wrong, or a sexual assault. This is also statistically favorable, it is a not uncommon crime in around the US. The issue with this theory is that it less common to take the victim with you and it is difficult to wrangle a dead body, or a live person out of the house, especially if they are injured, bleeding, and perhaps have mobility issues. It is even more difficult to understand how you get away undetected (no traffic cams at all).

 

[Cipher Vale]

Yeah, I've been thinking about this too. And how odd it seems that they sent this out, proactively, and then... As far as I have seen, virtually no activity at those houses (someone, please correct me if I've missed something). The police clearly can just show up at the houses without announcing it. Why announce it and then not show up? There's probably a mundane explanation (e.g. they are planning stuff today and just announced it early), but it just seems like yet another example of poor communication here. Another self-inflicted wound to credibility. JMO

Does LE have to be prompt in their execution of searches? Perhaps they are going to conduct searches at the same time they interview their suspect(s). Perhaps they want members of the family to walk them through certain areas and family+lawyers have given times they can be available.
I'd be curious to see if they cordon off the area from media when it happens or allow the media close enough access to video what they video'd last time

 

[missy1974]

I’ve been going over the first press conference and the sheriff seemed almost defensive in the way he said they’re considering it a kidnapping. “When someone is taken out and they don’t choose to go, it’s a kidnapping.” Or something like that. Then he said until they have other info that shows it’s a crime scene, it’s a kidnapping. It made me feel like..why are you having to convincing us it’s a kidnapping?

I went back and listened to the new conference from last Monday Feb 2nd last night! link in THIS post

I am not sure if it was the same one, but listening to it now with what we know, I feel like they felt she was taken, and was alive when it happened but JMO

In the Feb 2nd SO News conference: One thing that struck me as odd was, it was at 9am local Arizona time and they were not going to continue to search the area. They had searched the day before and he said overnight too, and even had a map of the areas they searched close to the home. Is that odd to stop the search that early in? He said that if you think you see her, take a picture, take a video and send it in <<< I didn't find this is a normal thing to say if they believed she was killed in the home? It's been awhile since I have followed a 'missing' person though, so maybe it's just me.

 

[unresolvedmystery]

This is a very confusing case, every theory has major problems.

Theory 1- The SIL did this. This is statistically favorable, most people who are victims of violent crimes are injured by someone they know. We know she arrived at AG's home from the Uber driver. We know she came back to the home because the pacemaker pinged there and her possessions were there, hearing aids, phone (which she would have needed for the Uber), keys, wallet and her blood is there, in addition to the camera going offline and face detection. For the SIL to have done this he would have needed to return undetected in the middle of the night, killed his MIL, hid her body, then returned home all while leaving no digital trace and not alerting his wife (or she could be his accomplice). The timeline seems to suggest someone who was comfortable at the site and may have had some familiarity with the layout of the house; i.e. they felt comfortable walking around and exploring, or they knew there was a back door. This seems like a story that would fall apart easily under questioning or a forensic examination of their car, phones, cameras at the Circle K etc...

Theory #2- Someone did this purposely for ransom. Statistically unlikely. The only indication of this is the ransom note but the details in it that seem to indicate the perp was at the crime scene were all available online before the note arrived- pictures of her white apple watch, google images of her home with floodlights, which almost everyone has, news reports showing the home with a damaged floodlight before the ransom note arrived, and finally no actual proof of life. The note could have been produced from publicly available information.

Theory #3- A robbery gone wrong, or a sexual assault. This is also statistically favorable, it is a not uncommon crime in around the US. The issue with this theory is that it less common to take the victim with you and it is difficult to wrangle a dead body, or a live person out of the house, especially if they are injured, bleeding, and perhaps have mobility issues. It is even more difficult to understand how you get away undetected (no traffic cams at all).

Theory 1 remains the most likely I think.

 

[HoveringWombats]

“It's significant because it reveals that they did get some DNA from inside the home or from the collection of evidence at the scene,” says Randy Sutton, a retired Las Vegas police lieutenant and founder of the Wounded Blue.

Snipped by me.

Maybe someone who knows more about this can help me out. Does this actually reveal that they got DNA from the scene? Or could it just be something they're doing to cover their bases in case DNA shows up somewhere? I'm not convinced that it is as clear-cut as the retired Las Vegas police lieutenant makes it sound, but maybe it is. Are they not allowed to collect DNA samples from people unless they already have something from the crime scene to compare it to?

 

[Sadi]

Good point.

This is where I land back on looking inward vs. outward. Back to vehicles, LE now has NG and presumably AG's vehicle in their possession. This comes days after NG is reported missing. At a minimum, I'm comfortable saying these two vehicles are of interest to LE in this investigation. IMO

Has it been confirmed that AG’s car was towed for possible evidence? With media camped outside, someone would have photographed this, IMO.

 

[Cipher Vale]

BE stated he wasn't aware of any warrants.

He wouldn't be aware if they were sealed. I know BE is pretty on spot with his reporting but does he know for sure it was a consent search or a "we won't make a fuss about it" search?

 

[Vaderman]

Fox News Digital has learned that some of Nancy Guthrie’s hired help — like a landscaper, pool cleaner, etc. — are submitting DNA samples. “It's significant because it reveals that they did get some DNA from inside the home or from the collection of evidence at the scene,” says Randy Sutton, a retired Las Vegas police lieutenant and founder of the Wounded Blue. “So now they're going to be comparing that DNA to either eliminate individuals or obtain information about them.”

https://twitter.com/x/status/2021219367531520486

This seems like a step in the right direction. Be interesting to see who declines (if they decide) to volunteer their DNA.

 

[Athos65]

Good morning to everyone.

Just a brief comment: the word I keep coming up with when thinking of this investigation by LE is "reticulated". The impression of incomplete steps as they move forward, and having to back up to do something they had skipped is difficult to explain other than to say the crime is extraordinary for the area's LE. This is not to say that they are untrained, but rather that the nature of the crime and the identity of the victim have brought on a degree of pressure that is not helping.

The thought that they are being "toyed with" by actors other than the perpetrator(s) doesn't leave me. Why they have not figured out WHO might be manipulating them and the reasons for this I cannot explain. The world has, in recent years, become harder to decipher...there are too many tools that, when used for nefarious motives, can negate their positive utility.

It has been a long time since NG went missing, and there are too many factors pointing at the possibility that she succumbed to the emotional, physical and mental stress, and possibly to injuries conflated with her age-related health issues.

The person(s) who committed this crime, whether intentionally (because they "planned" it? Quite a clumsy plan, IMO) or accidentally (because a moment's flash of anger escalated and they panicked) must be found. Not because SG is NG's daughter, but because this sort of thing is becoming more and more commonplace in our society.

Could someone in a position of experience and, for lack of a better word, "authority" in this forum please peel back the layers of speculation and make a condensed list of facts and times that we have verified as closely as possible? I think that would help at this point. Think of an outline as if for a school project (is that still a thing? It was when I was young, but we wrote on stone tablets back then); Part 1 times and places, Part 2 people, Part 3 verified evidence like blood, etc.

Something like that would be helpful for those of us who are not constantly on here, and need to catch up?

All these are opinions and suggestions offered respectfully. If I'm out of line, please feel free to remove the post. Thank you very much.

 

[SlimPickens]

Fox News Digital has learned that some of Nancy Guthrie’s hired help — like a landscaper, pool cleaner, etc. — are submitting DNA samples. “It's significant because it reveals that they did get some DNA from inside the home or from the collection of evidence at the scene,” says Randy Sutton, a retired Las Vegas police lieutenant and founder of the Wounded Blue. “So now they're going to be comparing that DNA to either eliminate individuals or obtain information about them.”

https://twitter.com/x/status/2021219367531520486

Doesn't really reveal they have DNA from an unknown source inside the home. Just reveals that NG's hired associates are submitting DNA samples. And likely voluntarily in case they do find unknown DNA in the home and want to distinguish it from known DNA (so that they can rule out or scrutinize it more).

JMO.