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

[tbgo]

Well, I don't know about all that--woah boy (i think it was more low level wannabes).
But the house was a prime target, and NG was an easy mark with a rich daughter.

All it takes is one worker in a bar mentioning it to his buddy who then tells it to an associate or desperate wannabe gangbanger he knows from the neighborhood.

"Hey I worked on this lady's big house, she lives there alone. No dog. Her daughter is that millionaire TV lady man. Yeah, it's so dark at night and she only has a few cameras, just Nest stuff bro. And the neighbors can't even see her house. We did the roof for 2 hours and no one saw us. Wait, don't tell your crazy Cholo cousin who always comes up with those wannabe gangsta schemes, ok?"

I don’t know. Your theory’s motive is money? That supposed ransom came much later and it didn’t make sense. Ransoms are delivered immediately to the family. They tell them not to contact authorities or they’ll hurt their loved one. Who sends a ransom to the media immediately alerting authorities? On top of that, who writes that you’ll never hear from them, the perp or perps, again?

If this was a gang initiation, you don’t take a body with you.

Did they ever confirm that nothing was stolen from the house? Have they ruled out robbery?

 

[rosesfromangels]

Whatever purpose of holstering this way, it is deliberate IMO. Either habitual or offleading.

Absolutely, 100%.

 

[Bodhi]

I find this interesting because it gives confirmation of
1) inside cameras
2) the family specifically monitoring NG (or at least that was the intent)
3) access to people (which is more that most in a home where only the homeowner has access).

Now, if these were set up by the family surely they were recording. Were they a separate system from the Nest? All home wifi systems and more elaborate CCTV now use cloud based recording. Why in this context would that not be available (it would not make sense otherwise to monitor their mom in case of falls, they need to access the footage, they are not watching 24/7).

Now the huge advantage of cloud based recordings (as opposed to back in the day when a skell would smash and grab a local dvr during the crime) is that you will record the person disabling the system and have it on your cloud/push alert even if the camera is disabled (just like the doorbell cam). So what happened here? And with the approach angles to inside cameras you'd probably have some better footage as the cameras were being disabled (and again why smashed, just spray and disconnect them, again amateur approach).


edit: conjecture based on veracity of the article which we can't confirm I suppose

To follow up, I appreciate your extension of what is in the Radar Online article and your analysis of what it means, if true. I was pointing out the article doesn't provide confirmation. I see now that you did say that in an addition. Thanks for explaining tech aspects of cloud storage and how that is relevant here.

 

[abanddb123]

I think it's a little too late to get out of that vicious cycle

This case in particular has all the hallmarks of what captures the publics attention

The issues that are arising is LE acts as they are supposed to if they feel a tip or lead is strong enough , the media follows and hype it up because they know the eyes are many . The public then feed off that and in a digital world it explodes and the cycle repeats

The negative impact of that is it no longer stays about the victim , it becomes a commodity , an online transaction ,everyone is getting something out of it . Whether that be monetary gain , interaction , likes etc

I caught myself in a moment where I had actually forgotten this was about a very vulnerable lady who is missing. And I had to humble myself and remember what I'm here for and it's not about how many tips and leads don't go anywhere.

Throw every resource at your disposal in finding Nancy and if it was my mum , I would want every member of the force out there every night

Where is she , the clock is ticking and the biggest mistake in my eyes thus far , was not sealing her home as a crime scene on day one . It was just stupidity at its finest

Imo jmho ,

What is the motive for removing an 84 year old lady from her home ? Is it financial or is it something else entirely? Because atm I don't see any perp gaining financially from her disappearance

I don't know where u get info, but homicide came right away. Um, would that be a crime. Le was behind d this decision. Nothing stupid about it. Moo

 

[warp3dwing]

4
Sketch artist Lois Gibson released a sketch of what she thinks Nancy Guthrie’s kidnapper might look like
“I GUESSED at the parts of face covered with ski mask on this Nancy Guthrie kidnapping suspect. I used the surveillance photos shown,” Gibson warned after revealing her sketch to social med

Nancy Guthrie kidnapper’s possible looks revealed by forensic artist after reviewing surveillance footage

The famous sketch artist is offering the first glimpse of what the masked creep might look like.

nypost.com

I have mixed feelings about this sketch.

Obviously, Lois Gibson is amazing, and has an preternatural ability to suss out the human face from almost nothing. She stated she saw the suspect as mid-30s to early 40s. But I feel like the video suspect is younger than portrayed in her sketch, maybe more 20s to early 30s.

Let me blithely contradict someone with decades of expertise here with my weak reasoning.

His movements seem fairly fluid and only slightly stiff, like someone who sits a lot but is young enough to not yet be so tight from the inactivity. Maybe a round of golf here and there.

Compare this to the footage of Michael McKee from the Tepe murder case. I could see he walked like a 35-45 year old (getting stiffer, foot splayed out - like looking in the mirror, minus the murder part).

We don't know if LE has the suspect's DNA. But if they do, and he's not in CODIS, he has not committed a felony in the U.S., and I believe he's a U.S. citizen. It rare to go from no serious criminal history to celebrity kidnapper without a few legal bumps along the way in 4 to 5 decades of life. And that's why I think he younger - and just ramping up.

Since he's not received the money, he's clearly not a criminal mastermind, but he could be a cybercrime wonk. Unfortunately, for him, the cybercrime smarts mean nothing if he wasn't savvy enough to expect to prove evidence of life. This points to the overconfidence of youth and failure to understand other people's needs and desires.

Now, let me make some more wild assumptions based on no facts, knowledge, or expertise whatsoever.

I think the suspect has a white collar job, maybe in tech, and doesn't live far from Nancy. He's from a wealthy family but is a loner. He may have some juvenile records (maybe peeping tom, harassment, stalking), but nothing major since becoming an adult.

He's not "a gun person" based on the holster positioning, or wants us to believe that. Either way, I think he googled his way to "Mexican carry" (which I know it is not; it's appendix carry) to hint at gang or cartel involvement as a racist disguise of sorts. It was entirely for show, but not to scare Nancy in her dark house, who couldn't see it, but for the camera.

I think he could be wearing a bit of makeup, maybe some eye liner, maybe some foundation, maybe fake facial hair.

Since he's a tech guy, he'd know that he'd eventually appear on video salvaged from the Nest backend. But he'd also know it'd take some legal legwork to recover it, which made the discovery feel authentic and like LE has the upper hand. But his little lantana show for the camera was planned. He's confident he won't be identified by video as he feels well out of LE's scope - he ain't no DoorDasher.

I don't think Nancy is alive. I believe she was intentionally attacked and killed the night she disappeared, and the guy who did it is truly sick, but you wouldn't know it if you met him. The suspect will cut his losses on the ransom before risking getting caught. He doesn't need the money. He just likes inflicting maximum pain. However, he does like the attention the spectacle has caused, and may wish to keep that going.

End of drivel.

 

[cckp72]

Sorry if I missed it, but do we know what kind of vehicles AG and TC drive?

I'm wondering if there is some connection to the RR from last night, ie did they buy their cars from his lot?

 

[tbgo]

Her FB was open until recently. I think it would help to read it if you can find it still. I am not good with links, etc.

I read her Facebook page. She was definitely on the ball. This was not some dotty old lady. It really bugged me when the media started talking about her in that manner. Anyone who checked out her social media could see that she was a sharp woman.

 

[GlobeFireCandle]

Her toughness has always surfaced in difficult moments, like when her husband died suddenly in 1988, or when budget cuts threatened a vital public health service at the university where she worked, or even two days before her disappearance, when she insisted on walking to the end of her gravel driveway to get the mail, even if a friend had to help.

Don't see them going out the garage way though to the mailbox when it looks like it is straight down the pathway from the front door ... or am I seeing something else that is not the mailbox

I would certainly go the shorter distance to my own mailbox since I have mobility problems

It also seems from the article that 2 days before disappearance she had friends in for games and I guess early birthday party and that this is when they went to mailbox

Said she would sit up a game table in the living room...which I'd think would be the first room from the front door

all speculation and my opinion .. I have mobility issues from 5 femur surgeries so I know about limiting distance

Is there any info on what caused her mobility ... just age or had she had surgeries other than the pacemaker?

I don’t think you can assume she is tough because her husband died 40 years ago and she collects her own mail.

 

[CSIDreamer]

Seems like a strange time to get a pool cleaned. It can wait.

Why let additional folks onto the property if it’s entirely unnecessary. Hopefully this isn’t like the pizza delivery guy sent by some randos. LE should turn pool people away regardless of who approved them.

I don't have a pool. Could the pool cleaner vacuumed the bottom of the pool for evidence?

JMO as I don't know.

 

[auburnmomof2]

I really enjoyed reading about Nancy, her personality and things she enjoyed doing. The glimpse into her life really makes this case even more mysterious in my opinion

Nancy Guthrie’s Friends Refuse to Give Up Hope She’s Alive

Shortly before her disappearance, Ms. Guthrie, the mother of the NBC host Savannah Guthrie, was celebrating her 84th birthday and playing games.

www.nytimes.com

 

[Sdow]

video is down the page .. I thought she was from Australia for some reason as well but she is from south of Cincinnati

I believe SG was born in Aus, but moved back (her dad was working here) to USA not long after.

 

[Luna20]

Basically the jacket, holster and backpack was all Walmart. I wonder if FBI have asked all the Walmarts within a 100 mile radius to check for a transaction that included all 3. Walmart has nearly the same amount of cameras as a casino! They’ve helped in many cases. I’m sad I even have to ask if they’ve done this, but the whole investigation is a clown show. So many resources poured into a follow up lead 2x and NOTHING to show for it.

They check way past a 100 mile radius. They check entire database systems. They specifically have superior access to data.

 

[Love Never Fails]

I want to make a comment that is MY option only. Mods, feel free to delete if you think i am out of line.

When I saw the statement from the sheriff saying Nancy might not be found “for years”it made my blood boil. Nancy doesn’t have years!!!

Some people are just insane. i mean, who would say that? if i came up missing at my age and i thought the sheriff said that about me and then said he was exhausted I would think he has given up. If I could do so right now, I would grab him by the ear and make him squeal. The nerve of that man!

 

[SMK777]

She was put on the radar by someone who had been to that house, or someone in her orbit who may have unwittingly revealed information to some nefarious people. If I'm wrong, I'll eat my words, but my instinct says there's a common denominator in there somewhere, LE just hasn't sussed it out yet.

Someone who had done work in her home may have innocently bragged to friends or extended family that it was a rich house and she was the mother of SG. And didn't realize that they had planted a seed in this person's mind to hatch a plan.

I have heard of cases that began this way: One within my own extended family, and one was the famous true crime murder story in the book, In Cold Blood.

Also, when we were growing up my grandparents had a farm in a rural area, and a neighbor had a huge, sophisticated and very expensive coin collection.

Someone had been there to see it; told a friend who told a friend who came in the dead of night, pistol whipped and tied the guy up, and stole the coins. The victim lived and the man was caught in that case. The point is, it is a common origin of crime.

 

[tbgo]

4
Sketch artist Lois Gibson released a sketch of what she thinks Nancy Guthrie’s kidnapper might look like
“I GUESSED at the parts of face covered with ski mask on this Nancy Guthrie kidnapping suspect. I used the surveillance photos shown,” Gibson warned after revealing her sketch to social med

Nancy Guthrie kidnapper’s possible looks revealed by forensic artist after reviewing surveillance footage

The famous sketch artist is offering the first glimpse of what the masked creep might look like.

nypost.com

I’m sure she thinks she’s helping but this was not commissioned or issued by officials and the public is going to see this sketch and run with it. They could easily overlook a good suspect because he (or she) doesn’t look like this sketch. It rubs me the wrong way.

 

[submarine7]

I have seen quite a few posts through this thread commenting on Nancy’s personality - she was sharp as a tack, she is a feisty lady, nobody’s fool type comments and what a wonderful, lovely person she is. We don’t actually know what she is like as a person, I just find it a bit odd a whole personality is being made up.

I think it's reasonable to presume a few traits based off family and friends' comments but we don't know any of these people.

 

[TheDinks]

My goodness, it appears all roads lead to W-mart!

Amateur opinion and speculation

Someone recently went into WM to find similar backpack to purchase and examine. The backpacks were in a locked transparent area with other hiking equipment. This means that with record of sale, there is also record of clerk scanning locked area to retrieve goods. This is the WM close to AG property... just stating for verification of locale, not making connection.

Check dates of purchase of said backpack - check cams focused on display area in hour prior to transaction.

Just a thought, of course we don't know whether backpack was bought in month prior or 3 years, so... just thinking out loud!

 

[SMK777]

I’m sure she thinks she’s helping but this was not commissioned or issued by officials and the public is going to see this sketch and run with it. They could easily overlook a good suspect because he (or she) doesn’t look like this sketch. It rubs me the wrong way.

Same. He probably looks nothing like him.

 

[EyeCandy]

I don’t think you can assume she is tough because her husband died 40 years ago and she collects her own mail.

The article states that .. not me lol. She never collected her own mail either, she had to have help. It points out that her mobility was indeed quite limited. I have had 5 femur surgeries and I can still walked to the mailbox. I just wonder exactly what limited her mobility to the point she could barely walk. Osteoporosis I have but it's treated with infusions, back issues I know are mobility limiting issues.

Has anyone read an articles that stated exactly what her mobility issues were from? age related, a fall, surgeries, etc.

I have not found one yet

 

[stmichael]

To follow up, I appreciate your extension of what is in the Radar Online article and your analysis of what it means, if true. I was pointing out the article doesn't provide confirmation. I see now that you did say that in an addition. Thanks for explaining tech aspects of cloud storage and how that is relevant here.

Yes to be clear I was responding to the article itself and not the veracity.

Back in the day everything used to be on dvr recorders and if a convenience store was hit for instance, they'd find the black box of a recorder and rip that out and take it with them. All footage gone. Beautiful thing about cloud based cams like common wifi Ring cams, it that they'll catch the person walking up to the camera and disabling it, so you have footage of them, and know immediately of their presence with a push alert. But you still have to check all your alerts. In my residential system I was getting a lot of deer at that height as "person detected" and started ignoring or downgrading the urgency of it, until one day it was young man in a hoodie doing the petty theft car door thing. So not only do you have to have your detection zones, camera angles, alerts optimized, you have to still pay attention.