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

[Nikynoo]

Good morning,
I keep asking myself why was Nancy removed from her home? Why not just leave her there? Was it because she could identify the suspect(s)? This is what I think, but trying to understand what would be other reasons.

Brian Entin’s interview with retired FBI was interesting. Though he was not a profiler, he was of the opinion that the perpetrator had a history of burglaries and that they had escalated to kidnapping. Similar skill set apparently. Whether this is true or not, I do not know, but it was an interesting take on the situation. I would highly recommend posters listening to it.

 

[TexLil]

Good morning,
I keep asking myself why was Nancy removed from her home? Why not just leave her there? Was it because she could identify the suspect(s)? This is what I think, but trying to understand what would be other reasons.

I think about this a lot too. 1) My first thought was that it was to take her to an atm to get money. I haven't heard anything about whether her accounts were accessed or not, but I'm assuming not or we probably would have heard something. Possibly this was the reason but something went wrong.

2) Then i thought the ransom bit was the reason. But if that was the case then why not show some proof of life and go after ransom immediately? I'm still thinking this is possibly the reason but not implemented as planned.

3) I also wondered if she was sadly murdered in her home and the perp knew who would likely be called to check on her in the morning and didn't want that person to have the trauma of finding her. Close insider.

4) Then there's a sick reasoning of someone who wanted time alone with her. But that's seems a low probability.

5) Also considered that taking Nancy was a payback for someone close to her having an unpaid debt of some sort. "If you don't pay up we'll take your mom/friend/etc." It's exceedingly cruel beyond measure to take her and leave the family in limbo as to where she is. Maybe that was the point.

Probably other options I'm missing. But I'm leaning toward #1 or #3.

MOO

 

[TexLil]

If this is what happened, isn't it foolish of this guy to alert the door bell camera that he was on the premises while he is still trying to gain entry?

Perhaps he knew it wasn't monitored? MOO

 

[cady]

Good morning,
I keep asking myself why was Nancy removed from her home? Why not just leave her there? Was it because she could identify the suspect(s)? This is what I think, but trying to understand what would be other reasons.

I think it was their objective to remove her, which does indicate a kidnap for ransom motive but I suspect, sorry to say, that she succumbed to her shock, fear and medical issues shortly after they intruded. So, they dropped the ransom plan, and had to dispose of her. Then, other would-be ransomers jumped at the opportunity to make money out of the tragedy. JUST MY THOUGHTS

 

[RayVon]

I know that I am being redundant with this question, but has anyone indicated that Nancy Guthrie had a safe in her house or on her property?

 

[EyeCandy]

I don’t think this is correct. Could you point me to a source that verifies?

its all so confusing .. I wish the le would at least give an understanding of did he remove the backpack. I've been totally confused as to why he would remove it...unless it was after she was in a vehicle or was it again, before he even put the backpack on....casing the joint?? A better timeline from le would be helpful. Did he perhaps come back even later than the times they put out? where did the backpack go?

 

[RayVon]

its all so confusing .. I wish the le would at least give an understanding of did he remove the backpack. I've been totally confused as to why he would remove it...unless it was after she was in a vehicle or was it again, before he even put the backpack on....casing the joint?? A better timeline from le would be helpful. Did he perhaps come back even later than the times they put out? where did the backpack go?

My first impression was that it was two different people. MOO

 

[NonnaBalogna]

Hawthorne man accused of sending fake ransom note to Guthrie family appears in Tucson federal court

A Hawthorne man accused of sending a fake ransom note connected to Nancy Guthrie's kidnapping case appeared in a Tucson federal courtroom on Thursday, according to federal investigators.

abc7.com

Apologies in advance… how exactly did DC find contact information for the Guthries? He texted one and called a different one for 9 seconds or minutes? So this random individual living in another state obtains what I would assume to be unpublished phone numbers/email addresses (?) for at least two separate relatives of NG and this is written off as a hoax because why? Idk at this point where or even if I saw it was due to info being wrong or something in the communications? I get that there are [link removed] opportunists but I also feel there may be some credence to these letters. I’m not convinced he isn’t involved.

The grandiose displays of power and force shown by LE and FBI looks like a military parade. Is that really how LE acts on a tip? I have to honest I don’t really like “this” FBI is involved because it really looks more like the showboating I’ve sadly become used to recently. Read that how you want. I think they already solved this and this poor family is just a pawn. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with this sheriff, I think he walked into a hot mess. It really doesn’t make sense to me given the high profile nature of this crime that help from much higher up wasn’t involved on day one. I’m not LE but at my job when I encounter something I have not dealt with before I don’t hesitate to ask for help. How many violent kidnappings has he been involved in? It seemed obvious as soon as the family walked in. For that matter how many crime scenes has the department even seen? They have no idea how to process or secure one? This just doesn’t make sense. I’ve seen that the FBI has to be invited. This sheriff honestly didn’t think to himself, I’m in over my head here? The family themselves didn’t think that? I mean SG called the congressman so someone must have thought this seems a little bit bigger than what they’re used to there. When the public begins pointing out that hey, you should probably not let people walk around in there or hey, look at that blue shirt anybody see that laying there? It looks like the one she had on in the picture you are using to show her. I mean. Doesn’t it just seem almost intentional? People keep calling the porch guy the keystone kidnapper, who has evaded the world, and yet you have the keystone cops traipsing through an active crime scene. So every member of this PD is what? What would you call them? Literally anyone who has seen an episode of CSI knows you don’t walk through a crime scene. I read a comment saying this department is a defense attorneys dream. No kidding. I would expect a lot of individuals who were convicted based on evidence gathered by this PD to be released given their absolute lack of integrity. I’m being facetious but not really.

Sorry. I actually had a few questions hidden in my long rant. Any answers appreciated. Much like everyone else on here I’m going back at least 40 pages a day trying to catch up.

 

[AngelicBishop]

IT WAS CRAZY ON FRIDAY NIGHT. WHAT HAPPENED? CLICK BELOW AND JOIN OUR DISCUSSION
(Saturday Feb 14th 2026)
CLICK HERE FOR LATEST INFO


Media Links and Timeline Thread Here​

An 84-year-old woman who was reported missing in Arizona has been identified by officials as the mother of "Today" show host Savannah Guthrie.

The Pima County Sheriff’s Department announced during a news conference on Sunday that Nancy Guthrie was last seen in the Catalina Foothills area on Saturday night at approximately 9:45 p.m.

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said a family member reported her missing on Sunday, around noon.

Nanos said search and rescue teams have been out at Nancy Gutherie's home, along with homicide teams and detectives.

Foul play has not been ruled out at this time.

'Today' show host Savannah Guthrie’s mother reported missing in Arizona: Sheriff

An 84-year-old woman who was reported missing in Arizona has been identified by officials as the mother of "Today" show host Savannah Guthrie.

abcnews.go.com

I hope she is found safe, I'll hand this over to my mom and see what she can do

 

[Nikynoo]

My first impression was that it was two different people. MOO

Me too

 

[cady]

No one has reported that the house was ransacked, or that anything was taken out of it except the homeowner. jmo

 

[Cassie P]

Perhaps he knew it wasn't monitored? MOO

It was still risky? It could be monitored at any time. All it takes is the subscription which can be done easily any day? It was also risky for him to be seen so long on camera, even in disguise. He is committing a crime which could result in the death penalty or life in prison. He is engaging in a high risk/high gain activity and he should minimize the risk when he can?

 

[Cassie P]

I think he thought the doorbell camera was already disabled when he arrived on her porch at 2:12 a.m. Doorbell cam disconnects at 1:47 a.m. I think it startled him when he noticed that it was somehow still capturing him. Which it was per a sensor. This is why he looked for something to help remove it. I now think that he grabbed the lantana to help remove that camera since lantana pieces were broken on the porch.
He may have gained entry after he removed the camera from the bracket. Just a possibility.

I think this is possible and explains his behavior on the porch.

Why might he think it was already disabled? What might explain that thought process?

 

[Sadi]

Apologies in advance… how exactly did DC find contact information for the Guthries? He texted one and called a different one for 9 seconds or minutes? So this random individual living in another state obtains what I would assume to be unpublished phone numbers/email addresses (?) for at least two separate relatives of NG and this is written off as a hoax because why? Idk at this point where or even if I saw it was due to info being wrong or something in the communications? I get that there are [link removed] opportunists but I also feel there may be some credence to these letters. I’m not convinced he isn’t involved.

The grandiose displays of power and force shown by LE and FBI looks like a military parade. Is that really how LE acts on a tip? I have to honest I don’t really like “this” FBI is involved because it really looks more like the showboating I’ve sadly become used to recently. Read that how you want. I think they already solved this and this poor family is just a pawn. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with this sheriff, I think he walked into a hot mess. It really doesn’t make sense to me given the high profile nature of this crime that help from much higher up wasn’t involved on day one. I’m not LE but at my job when I encounter something I have not dealt with before I don’t hesitate to ask for help. How many violent kidnappings has he been involved in? It seemed obvious as soon as the family walked in. For that matter how many crime scenes has the department even seen? They have no idea how to process or secure one? This just doesn’t make sense. I’ve seen that the FBI has to be invited. This sheriff honestly didn’t think to himself, I’m in over my head here? The family themselves didn’t think that? I mean SG called the congressman so someone must have thought this seems a little bit bigger than what they’re used to there. When the public begins pointing out that hey, you should probably not let people walk around in there or hey, look at that blue shirt anybody see that laying there? It looks like the one she had on in the picture you are using to show her. I mean. Doesn’t it just seem almost intentional? People keep calling the porch guy the keystone kidnapper, who has evaded the world, and yet you have the keystone cops traipsing through an active crime scene. So every member of this PD is what? What would you call them? Literally anyone who has seen an episode of CSI knows you don’t walk through a crime scene. I read a comment saying this department is a defense attorneys dream. No kidding. I would expect a lot of individuals who were convicted based on evidence gathered by this PD to be released given their absolute lack of integrity. I’m being facetious but not really.

Sorry. I actually had a few questions hidden in my long rant. Any answers appreciated. Much like everyone else on here I’m going back at least 40 pages a day trying to catch up.

Maybe he or someone he knows has access to cell phone data (ie works at Verizon)? MOO

 

[Nikynoo]

Apologies in advance… how exactly did DC find contact information for the Guthries? He texted one and called a different one for 9 seconds or minutes? So this random individual living in another state obtains what I would assume to be unpublished phone numbers/email addresses (?) for at least two separate relatives of NG and this is written off as a hoax because why? Idk at this point where or even if I saw it was due to info being wrong or something in the communications? I get that there are [link removed] opportunists but I also feel there may be some credence to these letters. I’m not convinced he isn’t involved.

The grandiose displays of power and force shown by LE and FBI looks like a military parade. Is that really how LE acts on a tip? I have to honest I don’t really like “this” FBI is involved because it really looks more like the showboating I’ve sadly become used to recently. Read that how you want. I think they already solved this and this poor family is just a pawn. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with this sheriff, I think he walked into a hot mess. It really doesn’t make sense to me given the high profile nature of this crime that help from much higher up wasn’t involved on day one. I’m not LE but at my job when I encounter something I have not dealt with before I don’t hesitate to ask for help. How many violent kidnappings has he been involved in? It seemed obvious as soon as the family walked in. For that matter how many crime scenes has the department even seen? They have no idea how to process or secure one? This just doesn’t make sense. I’ve seen that the FBI has to be invited. This sheriff honestly didn’t think to himself, I’m in over my head here? The family themselves didn’t think that? I mean SG called the congressman so someone must have thought this seems a little bit bigger than what they’re used to there. When the public begins pointing out that hey, you should probably not let people walk around in there or hey, look at that blue shirt anybody see that laying there? It looks like the one she had on in the picture you are using to show her. I mean. Doesn’t it just seem almost intentional? People keep calling the porch guy the keystone kidnapper, who has evaded the world, and yet you have the keystone cops traipsing through an active crime scene. So every member of this PD is what? What would you call them? Literally anyone who has seen an episode of CSI knows you don’t walk through a crime scene. I read a comment saying this department is a defense attorneys dream. No kidding. I would expect a lot of individuals who were convicted based on evidence gathered by this PD to be released given their absolute lack of integrity. I’m being facetious but not really.

Sorry. I actually had a few questions hidden in my long rant. Any answers appreciated. Much like everyone else on here I’m going back at least 40 pages a day trying to catch up.

Google was his friend.

 

[mrjitty]

As sleuthers we all would like regular updates, but as detectives, those from the Sheriff & FBI do not need to provide the public with anything. They ask for the public's help when they need it, and provide the bare minimum of information.

The Sheriff is not blessed with super public relations skills, and he receives so much hate after each press conference that he mostly stopped giving them.

RSBM

This is why I'd argue the 'real time updates' frenzy from Entin and co risk hindering the investigation - especially by piling on unrealistic public pressure

We don't need real time updates on a search, which it seems, might have been a false trail. Any one who has followed tricky cases before knows there can be a lot of dead ends.

 

[Sadi]

Brian Entin’s interview with retired FBI was interesting. Though he was not a profiler, he was of the opinion that the perpetrator had a history of burglaries and that they had escalated to kidnapping. Similar skill set apparently. Whether this is true or not, I do not know, but it was an interesting take on the situation. I would highly recommend posters listening to it.

If this was a burglary, did they know what they wanted to take ahead of time (been inside the home previously or told by someone else what she had)? Did they take anything with them? Did the family know what was missing? I don’t think this was random at all and the kidnapping was planned, the ransom I think is separate. I thought two separate groups related somehow. So many different questions and thoughts about this case.

 

[jepop]

Good morning,
I keep asking myself why was Nancy removed from her home? Why not just leave her there? Was it because she could identify the suspect(s)? This is what I think, but trying to understand what would be other reasons.

I can think of a reason which though horrible and far fetched is, with what we know at present, still within the realms of possibility. Jmo

Stressing it is just a theory and relies on many assumptions. It is statistically unlikely. I really don't want to upset or offend anyone and for that reason I've hesitated for a long time to express these thoughts.

Premises/Assumptions to this theory:

*Ransom notes unrelated

* Evidence of crime scene inside the house. By that I mean signs of a possible struggle ( disturbed bedding, maybe some things knocked over). Afaik there is no public info regarding the state of the interior including NG's room.

* Perp came prepared and with intent to harm NG.

*Perp is dressed in such a way (per the door cam) for two reasons
a) to minimise shedding his DNA anywhere inside or outside the premises
b) to avoid being identified by cameras or night owl eye witnesses.

* NG's connection to SG is probably unrelated. Perp is motivated by his own inner drives.

This theory is that perp is one sick sob. Sick but calculated. The intent was SA. He carried that out, easily overpowering his victim. Weopen could have been used for compliance and as a show of power.

He took NG with him afterwards because he knows about dna. Leaving her would ultimately mean his eventual capture and with IGG being what it is, that would not be very long.

I don't believe this is true and I don't want to believe it. It's statistically very unlikely. Plus it requires the assumptions listed. But it offers an explanation for why a very sick but calculating and cautious perp would take NG from the house dead or alive.

Moo

 

[Sadi]

I know that I am being redundant with this question, but has anyone indicated that Nancy Guthrie had a safe in her house or on her property?

No, I don’t think this has been confirmed either way.

 

[shonyakay]

Agreed. Anyone working at dealership would’ve had access to keys. Throw a dealer plate on and you’re ready to go.
If they’re getting vehicle ready for sale then you have mechanics, detailers, porters and others working to get in ready.

Interesting. I read mechanics use bite lights too.