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

[pirateboy]

So we're pretty confident at this point the original ransom letters (with the Monday deadline) were a hoax, correct?

 

[stmichael]

So you suspect her of killing her mother because she's not as wealthy as her sibling?

I think with this line of speculating it's more complicated. Finances cause major friction in one's lives (#1 cited cause of divorce). People murder over finances all the time.

But I don't think in this line of speculation it is totally cold-blooded and seems most people putting forth this speculation don't think so as well. More of an emotionally charged situation, maybe asking for a load over dinner, things go south, someone reacts emotionally and hurts the other by accident (oh my god what did I do!) then they double down and go along w/ a cover up. There are a lot of variations of course, and many versions of a less cold blooded plot that could have gone wrong.

People are flawed and do stupid, emotional things in heated moments (recently that news story of the two brothers playing a video game and the one brother stabbed his own sibling in the heat of losing a game).

 

[VegasGirl35]

So you suspect her of killing her mother because she's not as wealthy as her sibling?

Nobody's saying that. We're just pointing out family dynamics are often more complicated than the sunshine-and-rainbows image people portray on social media. While it's unlikely the family is involved, FBI asking neighbors about AG/SIL's character says they haven't completely ruled them out.

 

[ab01]

Othram, which helped identify Bryan Kohberger, says critical evidence should have gone directly to FBI instead of Florida lab:​

Genealogy company exec slams Pima sheriff's 'devastating' move to ship Nancy Guthrie evidence to Florida lab

"It’s just the FBI developed this method and can do it so much better without destroying the evidence," the source said. "I’ve seen so many cases go to Florida and be consumed. Also, they are not as fast, and in this case, time matters."

Yikes

 

[maskedwoman]

I really don’t understand why typical procedures haven’t been followed here. Normally LE investigates the family first, gets them eliminated, then expands the circle. Is he star struck? (No offense) Is he just blindly believing their stories without corroborating? Just because of who they are? This would be a mistake.

That is an excellent question. Either Nanos decided to start by investigating everyone on the planet and see who falls through holes in the sieve to eliminate people, or there is a reason he cannot clear certain people. I have wondered if they are searching for accomplices rather than perpetrators not tied to the family in any way.

 

[nightowl2728]

I think the term poor was used purely in relation to SG. Compared to her, yeah, they’re “poor”. (As am I and, I assume, many of us here on WS are.) That’s how I understood it, anyway.

Money is so often a motivator in murder and kidnapping, I don’t know how it fits here, but I’m sure it’s something LE is looking closely at in regard to family.

I would also be very happy and hope that my sibling is very successful and wealthy, if only for their own comfort and safety, especially given how the world is today.

AG's home is worth about a half million dollars, SG is worth forty million reportedly.
If SG gave AG/family let's say, $1M, that's only 1/40th of her current net worth (which much of it is likely compounding interest and will significantly increase over time if she's responsible). AG's family could do with that what they will - put it in a brokerage account, an IRA, a savings account for their son's college tuition, buy a home with more space or in a nicer area, a safer vehicle, physical therapy sessions or a nice gym membership. I don't know.

I get that everyone is looking at it from the vantage of AG being happy for her sister, but what about SG being generous with her success? I don't think personally I could have as much money as SG and not want to share at least a small fraction of it with a sibling I care about, especially to make sure they're safe and comfortable as well.

Not only that, caregiving to an older parent (NG) is extremely time consuming, stressful, and difficult to empathize with if you're not the one doing it day to day. I'd at least want to treat my sibling to some spa days or a house cleaning service. Who knows, maybe SG DOES do that sort of thing, and maybe she did it for NG too. We don't know. Maybe AG would never want it.
BUT I think it's very easy to live in a privileged bubble, JMO.

Not saying ANY of the above is reason for murder or kidnapping, it's just a big discrepancy IMO - the money and the caretaking, which could lead to resentment from both a close sibling and less close family members.

 

[Sunflower11]

I think we can infer that blood is at least one of the DNA sources from inside the home, because it isn't likely that she just started bleeding when she went out the door.

JMO.

Here's a theory: is it possible the dna in the house was from vomit or urine (urine in an unusual place), such as being left when NG became distraught when this occurred, and causing one of those two fluids? That would be something they may not want to disclose to protect the family. It would also be something that would alarm family if they came into the scene and saw it.

Is part of the reason for the multiple visits to AG's house to corroborate their story (dinner, playing a game, etc.)?

If they ate dinner, are there containers (takeout or otherwise) or wrappers from what they cooked, in the trash?

If there were glasses or disposable items (utensils, a straw, etc.) they may try to look for NG's dna on them.

Also, if there is vomit, can they TEST IT (or the urine?) to see the last things she ate and does that match what AG says?
Does the game have NG's fingerprints on the pieces? They may be old but wouldn't they check?

Was AG's son at the dinner? He looks to be about 13 years old. He would have a lot of information about what was discussed and who went where, at what time, to corroborate.

 

[Love Never Fails]

I have been saying since day one with little to no response, here. This is a celebrity stalker. The perp is obsessed with SG., may watch her daily on NBC. Thinks everything she says has a specific and "coded" message to him. He may have contacted her through Instagram, NBC or other apps. Never received an answer. He is delusional. Thinks SG is his girlfriend. May even tell a person or 2 that he is having a clandestine relationship with SG.IMO



He is probably marginalized. Socially awkward Starved for attention.. He may have traveled some distance to get to Arizona because SG was not on TV because she had surgery and he became restless and needed to see her. He wants SG. He decided the next best thing was NG. He went to the home for a souvenir. A photo, a piece of lingerie, SG may have left there. He is frustrated. His obsession is not satisfied. He takes NG.



He is tied to the ransom note. He is possibly the author of the ransom letters. He sent it to TMZ because that is a very entertainment based network program. Second choice was local stations to maximize coverage.



As for his attire. I own Gucci..I also own inexpensive pocketbooks. A 10 dollar handbag and a 1000 dollar Gucci bag serve the same function. Either one can carry my wallet, makeup and glasses. There is no such thing as KIDNAPPER COUTRE. Same with the backpack. Ditto on a makeshift holster, imo.



This crime was planned by a delusional, "FAN" who thinks he is being ignored. They are looking at old doorbell camera video, IMO, to see if he was scoping out the neighborhood before he struck.

You could be as accurate as anyone at this point. This thread is so busy i cannot keep up. Maybe there are too many drama movies in my past because i think if he is obsessed with SG then surely he would take good care of her mother.
SG is not a young woman so I don’t see a young man being obsessed with her.
Anything is possible.

 

[planet]

So, no certainty at all on motive or how events unfolded. The hypotheses I am reading:

1. B&E with planned robbery that went sideways, leading to either unplanned murder and removal of her body, or injury and unplanned abduction. Variants:
a. Random
b. Targeted, because elderly, living alone, ease of access, etc., but not as SG's mother
c. Targeted as SG's mother (higher or more certain ransom payout)

2. Planned abduction to extort ransom. Variants:
a. Random
b. Targeted, because elderly, living alone, ease of access, etc., but not as SG's mother
c. Targeted as SG's mother (higher or more certain ransom payout)

3. Intimidation/fright attempt as payback for NG calling in a loan (leading to unplanned murder or injury/unplanned abduction)

4. Injured with unplanned homicide elsewhere, or murdered elsewhere, never returned home. B&E staged to mimic abduction and divert attention.

5. Staged, to draw attention to SG and elevate public sympathy for her / increase career mobility

6. Staged, to draw attention away from (fill in the blank)

What did I leave out?

 

[m00c0w]

Nanos tells FOX that his office did NOT find a glove at Nancy’s home. “We have no glove. We never found a glove on that property.”

Nanos claims his office has been using the same contracted private lab for decades, long before he was in office. He says his office started sending the Guthrie evidence to this lab from the start and that the GUTHRIE FAMILY DNA and OTHER DNA SWABS are there too — so it makes sense to keep sending the incoming evidence there so that the lab can immediately run the new evidence against what is already in house. Nanos claims the FBI was on board with this. He says why split evidence between the private lab and Quantico. “We trust the FBI’s crime lab, we’ve used them before, but in this case we started with that lab. It’s just that simple.”

https://twitter.com/x/status/2022364381636645304

 

[Sessiebo]

Yeah, this is a guy who's had a lot of local criticism and scandals (including a Federal one) PRIOR to this case. Seems a lot of his dept. hates his guts.

And even PRIOR to knowing this I thought he was a P.R. nightmare with his interviews, press conferences, and handling of this case.

I'm just wondering why this sheriff is still the sheriff after enduring so much scandal and criticism. Is it hard to demote a person like that in the US?
Idk because in my country they just put a person like this somewhere behind a desk or handing out traffic tickets

 

[stmichael]

Othram, which helped identify Bryan Kohberger, says critical evidence should have gone directly to FBI instead of Florida lab:​

Genealogy company exec slams Pima sheriff's 'devastating' move to ship Nancy Guthrie evidence to Florida lab

"It’s just the FBI developed this method and can do it so much better without destroying the evidence," the source said. "I’ve seen so many cases go to Florida and be consumed. Also, they are not as fast, and in this case, time matters."

I've heard the FBI and sources say the FBI will actually have to re-test the evidence as well (anyone have source? ty)

 

[TwoBlueJays]

Can you think of a simpler motive then money?

In this case, I don't believe money was the motive. And I do not believe AG, or ther family members, abducted their mother for a bitcoin ransom.
Think past the crime. NG is now deceased and certain family members suddenly have millions. Not going unnoticed. That family member will now have to put on an innocent act for the rest of their life. Pretty hard to do.
Stranger to NG seems most likely.
Moo

ETA removed double quote

 

[SMK777]

Going back the the images released by the FBI, the pants he has on appear to have integrated shoe covers!

Edit: The FBI needs to be prioritizing finding the guy in the TMZ Ring video!

Yeah, reminded me of surgical booties you see surgeons wearing.

 

[unresolvedmystery]

Same. I have wealthy siblings and I don't resent that. I'm proud that they're so successful.

As I've said since the beginning, if this was a money grab from family her going missing is the worst way for them to do it as the estate will be tied up for years.

She is 84 with limited mobility, if they wanted the inheritance early there are a million easier way to do that which wouldn't include a nationwide viral story with their every move under scrutiny.

Why do people keep thinking that murder for inheritance can only be about getting it early?!

It's more often to prevent you being cut out of inheritance altogether.

 

[stmichael]

I'm just wondering why this sheriff is still the sheriff after enduring so much scandal and criticism. Is it hard to demote a person like that in the US?
Idk because in my country they just put a person like this somewhere behind a desk or handing out traffic tickets

It's an elected position with a political party behind it. He won the election (albeit with a controversy and an investigation). Happens all the time in the US, and abroad.

 

[SRWCF]

I thought he previously said they cleared the Rio Rico guy and the uber driver?

He's bloviating. I'm pretty sure LE could easily "clear" SG and NG's church friends, for example.

 

[unresolvedmystery]

So, no certainty at all on motive or how events unfolded. The hypotheses I am reading:

1. B&E with planned robbery that went sideways, leading to either unplanned murder and removal of her body, or injury and unplanned abduction. Variants:
a. Random
b. Targeted, because elderly, living alone, ease of access, etc., but not as SG's mother
c. Targeted as SG's mother (ransom payout)

2. Planned abduction to extort ransom. Variants:
a. Random
b. Targeted, because elderly, living alone, ease of access, etc., but not as SG's mother
c. Targeted as SG's mother (higher or more certain ransom payout)

3. Intimidation/fright attempt as payback for NG calling in a loan (leading to unplanned murder or injury/unplanned abduction)

4. Murdered elsewhere, never returned home. B&E staged to mimic abduction.

5. Staged, to draw attention to SG and elevate public sympathy for her / increase career mobility

6. Staged, to draw attention away from (fill in the blank)

What did I leave out?

Killed accidentally during argument with family/friend and kidnapping/B&E staged to cover it up

 

[m00c0w]

Going back the the images released by the FBI, the pants he has on appear to have integrated shoe covers!

Edit: The FBI needs to be prioritizing finding the guy in the TMZ Ring video!

I don’t think the guy buying literally everything at Walmart went and found some bespoke pants that would cover his shoes as well.

JMO

 

[PCHS]

I'm sure LE has SO much info on the family at this point. The "dinner" that night, driving Nancy back, ring type videos that could possibly corroborate those facts, text messages, etc.
I did think SIL was a suspect early on but moved away from that.
But, it still odd how things keep coming back to SIL/AG's home, questioning neighbors, etc.
I don't think it's been said that LE is doing the same for NG's close friends/neighbors (homes she may have been at often, perhaps more often than AG's), etc.

Because they were last seen with and her immediate family IMO LE will usually focus on those people and likely correctly so, however I believe it can also be done at the detriment of cases that don't fall within that scope and time is lost at that point. Now? they seem lost and are trying to make this fit b/c last seen with and someone close (family) is usually it.. I also find it hard to believe that people in their 50s who have zero history or innuendo of being anything other than law abiding citizens without complications would suddenly kill a close 84 year old family member, skillfully leave no direct evidence readily tying them to a murder and then stage a super elaborate cover scene, and then destroy some of the staging in the off chance it could be recovered weeks down the line. And with the way the media is we would know at this point if either one of them has so much as a backlog of unpaid parking tickets at some point in their lives which . IMO it doesn't make logical sense to me - with the information we have, that they are the perpetrators. It seems too convoluted to me but I think absent something in their lap to break the case open another way they are going to keep circling back on the path that usually pays off regardless if the data points away....again jmo