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

[Der Detektiv]

Based on reports from mid-2025, U.S. officials and terrorism experts raised concerns regarding potential Iranian sleeper cells within the United States, with specific attention on Arizona and other border states.

It was an interesting theory, I thought, and an entirely possible one at that.

Ignore the troll!

 

[Tortoise]

THANK YOU! I am interested in the image of perp without the backpack or the gun holster. Trying to discern if that image was taken before the video we've all at this point seen of perp walking up to door and fidgeting with the door cam or after.

If you're on X that link takes you to the post by Kash Patel, with that image. I can't get the full post with image to copy here for some reason.

I think it's likely to be before the other images, because he had the pack on when he was trying to remove the camera, but just a guess.

 

[Assassino]

Everything is possible, but here's what I am thinking. If it was intended to be a robbery, why was nothing taken? Your average burglar would have grabbed her purse and some jewelry at the very least, and maybe some larger items like a flat screen TV if he had a large vehicle and some time to work. He would have subdued the victim with ropes/tape/zip ties and something over her mouth to keep her quiet, and left her at the scene. But... did she know the masked intruder? That would be the only reason to remove her from her home if robbery was his motive. Robbers rob. They don't want to kidnap or murder, IMHO.

This feels more personal. Is someone holding a grudge against NG or one of her family members? Does the kidnapper have some twisted agenda?

Someone upthread mentioned the potential of a crazed stalker. I mention it because it's in the realm of possibility, but it's not my favorite theory at this point. Note that I have been wrong many times.

Stating the obvious here, but kidnappings are rare in the 21st century in the US. Why NG? I hope we will have answers soon. And my prayers are with her family.

All MOO

That is interesting and it's something I've been considering. Most people are sure this is motivated by money/ransom, and maybe it is, and probably still the most likely motive, but I'll say it doesn't fit the typical ransom case.

No clear line of communication. No proof of life. Why haven't they provided this by now? Why haven't they given some type of definitive proof they are the actual kidnappers? I mean, we're almost two weeks into this and LE still doesn't know with 100% certainty the ransom notes are from the actual kidnappers.

The fact that this case doesn't exhibit the usual steps that ransom cases take has left the door open for me that there is some other motive here. And one of those possibilities I wondered about was did Savannah Guthrie have some obsessed stalker fan... he went to that house expecting to kidnap Savannah and not her mother? He was surprised about who was inside, and then kidnapped her as some sort of demented consolation prize? This doesn't seem super likely either, because I figure if someone was after Savannah and didn't find her there, they'd just flee. But nothing about this case fits the typical makings of what you usually see in these types of cases.

 

[Wsimm]

Why would the Perp have driven to AG's neighborhood to toss evidence? That makes absolutely zero sense to me.

I would expect that to be done in the vicinity of NG house or major roads leading away from the crime, but not in the residential neighborhood of the victims family. So odd

Maybe the suspect unbeknownst to AG and SIL has a connection to them and purposely did toss evidence in their neighborhood as a type of set up? Who knows??

 

[labubu5]

RE: the jacket and backpack.

The jacket looks fleece to me, and very generic. It's not screaming LL Bean or Carhartt or Nike. It looks like something generic off a Walmart rack or even a Dollar General (some stores have clothing) or an off-brand from a sporting goods store.

Getting the same vibe from the backpack, very generic. Probably on purpose. moo

Someone earlier identified the backpack: the Outdoor Products Contender Day Backpack, sold at Kohl’s for $25. The straps, front pocket, and mesh side pockets match the suspect photos.

https://www.kohls.com/product/prd-7181728/outdoor-products-contender-day-backpack.jsp

 

[Arkay]

I think I need a bit of a break because it’s just impossible to keep up.

I just want to mention that I was formerly married to a Hispanic.

A NYC-born Puerto Rican, Snow White skin, green eyes, tall and slim, completely Caucasian. Ancestry from France and Spain.

Yet I recall some prejudice based on his very Hispanic surname.

Being Hispanic or any ethnic group is fine when used as a descriptor, without the undertone of prejudice.

IMO the FBI did nothing to screw up. On the Today show this morning, the legal scholars were saying that LE had probable cause which a judge found convincing, ergo they pursued a tip that they felt had validity.

Yes, it went South, but it was the media who publicized the suspect and NOT the FBI.

What if there was a chance that Nancy was there and LE dismissed it and didn’t check?

I am pessimistic for a good outcome due to how long NG has been missing.

Although no one has been arrested and NG’s whereabouts and well-being are unknown, I do think that yesterday’s video will eventually lead to a better outcome. Either an eventual arrest or HOPEFULLY a full rescue of Nancy.

JMO

 

[Skagirl]

Given that up until yesterday, we didn't know there was a blood trail going beyond the initial spot on NG's porch that we had seen from the beginning, I would wonder what else has been known from the beginning that we don't know about yet.

EDIT: I realized I am days behind on some of my info and the blood trail was known about well before yesterday. Also here is a video since I forgot to include it in my original post. Blood trail found outside home of Savannah Guthrie’s mom

 

[Sunshynn]

They definitely are not dumb. They are probably not professional, but most criminals are not. You can be a non professional, but also be far more meticulous than the average criminal. I think some experts are missing that middle ground.

MOO - but this seems like the work of someone who's watched a lot of movies. Like Hollywood level criminals.

We have several ransom notes, demands for bitcoin, a missing and then found camera, attempts to mask their identity to the point that they are (possibly) wearing two masks over their face.
Sounds straight from a summer blockbuster movie, MOO.

IMO, I find this so much work for the kidnapping of an 83 year old lady.
I just can't put my finger on a motive that makes since based on the evidence we have been made aware of thus far.

 

[BigCityAccountant]

At one point, somewhere in this thread, someone had put together a list of possible motives. I can’t find it so I’m going to try to make a list.
1) kidnapping for ransom
2) killed by someone she knew and the rest of it is a staged cover up
3) someone obsessed with SG or trying to target SG for some reason
4) random SA / murder by someone who targets elderly - maybe a serial offender who is escalating?
5) robbery gone wrong - he didn’t think anyone was home, harmed her and then decided to get rid of her (the evidence)

Anything else?
Honestly none of these make a lot of sense. Who does this to an 84 year old woman???

I would add someone who feels scorned by SG or one of her family members.

As to your question about who does this to an 84 year old woman. I have learned from following cases that you will never understand these type of people unless you are one of them. They are sick, twisted, and evil.

 

[CandyKiss]

Some men tattoo their wrist with a cross. When they extend their arm, the cross is placed as seen in copied pic. Looking at perp’s wrist, I’m wondering if the tat is a cross due to the spacing from top to mid-section?

 

[Inthedetails]

It looked like he was unloading a sign and signpost. It may be that he was hired for the limited purpose of putting up “no trespassing” signs at NG’s home since LE has not otherwise prevented access (by media members and pizza delivery persons) in recent days.

After the attempted 3-pizza delivery yesterday, if I were family I’d probably do likewise. To them, it does not matter that LE believes they have ready finished processing the scene; rather, they’d consider that further processing may be necessary up to and until this crime is solved and the perpetrator(s) not just charged, but convicted.

That pizza stunt annoys me to no end. People, stay out of the way.

jmo

 

[Eli9]

THANK YOU! I am interested in the image of perp without the backpack or the gun holster. Trying to discern if that image was taken before the video we've all at this point seen of perp walking up to door and fidgeting with the door cam or after.

In my opinion this screen grab would have had to have happened before the longer video. Although we don't have actual video of him removing the door cam I do believe it happened shortly after he used the lantana to obscure his face. If that were true than the lantana man would already be in possession of the door cam. Also presumably why we don't have any images and or video of NG or the perp leaving the residence. All MOO

 

[VioletBoxcar]

RE: the jacket and backpack.

The jacket looks fleece to me, and very generic. It's not screaming LL Bean or Carhartt or Nike. It looks like something generic off a Walmart rack or even a Dollar General (some stores have clothing) or an off-brand from a sporting goods store.

Getting the same vibe from the backpack, very generic. Probably on purpose. moo

Yeah the strip on the chest makes it look generic imo. Other brands are usually stitched and just look nicer. I know a couple under cover officers and they wear clothes from Ross, dollar store or goodwill. Why wear something easily recognizable?

 

[EJB123456]

Oh sure, I knew exactly what you meant. It’s just when you mentioned refrigerator, my mind went somewhere morbid, and I gave myself the creeps wondering if NG had a large chest type deep freezer. I don’t remember the documentary but a man that had killed his mother, hid her body at the bottom of the deep freezer at his home/hunting lodge.

I would just like confirmation that they looked in here. What even is that? Is it locked? (Yes I know a lot of time has passed.)

Image from this article:

https://www.azcentral.com/picture-g...earch-nancy-guthrie-house-photos/88560357007/

 

[moonglow123]

Just wish LE would give us an idea of his vehicle. Nancy lives off of a major road. He would’ve had to be on it at some point. Someone’s cameras must’ve gotten him. Since it seems they’re heavily relying on tips from the public, would be helpful if the public could get more pieces to put together.

 

[LRinCA]

Some men tattoo their wrist with a cross. When they extend their arm, the cross is placed as seen in copied pic. Looking at perp’s wrist, I’m wondering if the tat is a cross due to the spacing from top to mid-section?

Great closeup on the sleeve. At that zoom level it almost looks like there's pilling on the sleeve, which makes me wonder if it's a fleece-type jacket versus a windbreaker.

 

[Cardgame]

There was discussion of bears and coyotes yesterday. Could the perps have left the house unlocked and these animals have gone in, and… eaten Nancy’s body? That might explain the blood by the door.

You need to stop.

 

[Inthedetails]

I would just like confirmation that they looked in here. What even is that? Is it locked? (Yes I know a lot of time has passed.)

View attachment 643886
Image from this article:

https://www.azcentral.com/picture-g...earch-nancy-guthrie-house-photos/88560357007/

Looks like utility/maintence access doors to me. jmo

 

[allboys]

I know experts are saying this person doesn’t seem professional or intelligent based on some of the things that were done (picking flowers, trying to hide from the camera, etc.). But if this person is truly that ‘stupid,’ then how have they managed to avoid being caught this long? IMO, they don’t seem as dumb as people are making them out to be, this could be far more organized and professional than assumed. Unless that’s exactly the point? …maybe they’re downplaying this person publicly to provoke a reaction or get them to make a mistake.

Not implying it’s the case here… but sometimes dump people just get lucky. (Or at least for a longer period of time than expected.) In this case, just the darkness alone is to any perp’s advantage.

 

[submarine7]

THANK YOU! I am interested in the image of perp without the backpack or the gun holster. Trying to discern if that image was taken before the video we've all at this point seen of perp walking up to door and fidgeting with the door cam or after.