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

[Bluewing3102]

NBC states the photo was expected to be released 12:15 EST- it is now 12:45 EST and that they are waiting for the photo any minute now.

 

[EncyclopediaBrownJr]

My theory, for what it's worth: Nancy wasn't kidnapped for ransom. She was taken by an obsessed fan of Savannah's to inflict the maximum amount of pain on her. This would explain why the "kidnappers" have not contacted the family and there's been no verified ransom demand. She wasn't taken for ransom, she was taken to hurt Savannah, and how can you hurt someone more than by taking someone they love away from them. Obsessed fans have done things like this in the past... Remember John F Hinkley, an obsessed fan of the actress, Jodie Foster? Hoping he would get her attention, he attempted to assassinate President Reagan.

I’m thinking it’s a stranger acting alone. Time spent in the home consisted of slowly clearing the house, finding NG room, securing her, disabling camera, moving car to the front door, retracing to make sure no evidence left, then taking NG out through the front.

 

[MesquiteO21]

Did an employee , work at both homes ? And that's why both homes are being analysed?

good thinking. could also explain why it appears (as far as we know) that LE was only in AG's garage. I'd expect certain workers to only need access to a garage and not the rest of the house

moo

 

[DizzyB]

“Wearing a mask and carrying tools. “

 

[SlimPickens]

Ugh. I hope it's revealing.

Also, purportedly a mask and tools. Since she was removed, it lends more credence to the idea that a kidnapping was the motive rather than a random assault/murder/home invasion. This would also suggest why those ransom requests were taken seriously and perhaps even directly aligned/verified.

JMO.

 

[Cipher Vale]

Does anyone think this picture will also have a timestamp? If the person in the picture turns out to be the suspect, it’ll be interesting to learn what time of day or night their arrival was.

I think it will be discussed to help anyone in the area to call in with tips etc

 

[citizen_sleuth]

JMO but I doubt LE would release a photo of the suspect to the public before making an arrest if they had already identified him. This rules the SIL out for me at this point.

ETA: It also rules out anyone within NG's close circle IMO. I'm now leaning towards the perpetrator being either a total stranger or someone with a very peripheral, second- or third-degree connection to NG.

 

[diggndeeperstill]

My theory, for what it's worth: Nancy wasn't kidnapped for ransom. She was taken by an obsessed fan of Savannah's to inflict the maximum amount of pain on her. This would explain why the "kidnappers" have not contacted the family and there's been no verified ransom demand. She wasn't taken for ransom, she was taken to hurt Savannah, and how can you hurt someone more than by taking someone they love away from them. Obsessed fans have done things like this in the past... Remember John F Hinkley, an obsessed fan of the actress, Jodie Foster? Hoping he would get her attention, he attempted to assassinate President Reagan.

Interesting point.

 

[Ur728]

Per NBC News, the image is from the doorbell camera

 

[UsernameRequired]

Per NBC, the surveillance image is nobody the Guthrie family recognizes.

 

[stmichael]

The FBI will soon release a new image from a camera at Nancy Guthrie’s house, a source familiar with the investigation tells CNN’s Jake Tapper.


The image shows a person who appears to be wearing a mask and carrying a backpack or tools, NBC News reported.


The person is considered a “subject” in the investigation, NBC News said, and the bureau hopes assistance from the public can help gather more information about this individual. The image is not clear, according to NBC.

https://www.cnn.com/us/live-news/nancy-guthrie-savannah-missing-mom-02-10-26

 

[MassGuy]

If FBI, do you think this indicates they have assumed jurisdiction?

I don’t think so. They are likely the ones who retrieved it.

 

[girlhasnoname]

LATEST PLEA: Former FBI special agent Jonny Grusing breaks down Savannah Guthrie’s latest video, directed to the public.

“The numbers don't look good at this point for [Nancy] doing okay, so I think that's another plea to the public, where we have an individual who might still be around with us, and just not in a good state right now, and we need your information right away,” he said.

WATCH:

https://twitter.com/x/status/2021221246239899883

I absolutely admire and love Former FBI Agent Grusing, such a remarkable and intelligent man. We've seen him involved in a few cases here on WS. A consummate professional...also possibly my next future husband.

P.S. - don't tell my current one. <a little levity no disrespect intended>

 

[HobnobsNBroomsticks]

Per NBC News, the image is from the doorbell camera

The one that had been removed?

 

[slueth1111]

I was always wondering why the sheriff was so certain it was a kidnapping. MAYBE there is more video than we know.
JMO

 

[Ur728]

The one that had been removed?

Yes, this explains why it has taken them so long.

 

[arielilane]

“Wearing a mask and carrying tools. “

and a backpack.

 

[aafromaa]

they just said they were told sometime after 12:15 - did they mean local time in AZ or did they mean east coast time?

And do we know where they are releasing the photo from? I'm guessing there's a press conference but don't know where it would be held. Surely they don't just simultaneously send it to various news outlets - would they?

 

[nightowl2728]

Per NBC, the surveillance image is nobody the Guthrie family recognizes.

That's really interesting - so no hired help that anyone recognizes, or a neighbor, etc., if true

What would the motive be for someone that they don't even know, and not tied to a ransom

 

[arielilane]

Per tricia, Fox News is being allowed for this case only.

Thank you, they are reporting a lot on this case.