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

[BellaToothless]

IMO the real question here for us at WS is the motive.
It seems highly unlikely that NG willingly answered the door. For a time I did think if she knew the person, this may be the case. However, since the Nest footage, I don't believe this to be true.
However, what I can't fathom is this - if NG had passed away during this incident from a medical condition - why didn't the peeps leave her there, to be found as a crime gone wrong? The hope of ransom?
The above makes me think that NG could've been alive when she left the property. However, I can't work out WHY they took her. It leads more and more to some sort of hostage/demand situation which may have gone wrong.

Re Motive. Because it is possible it is intended kidnapping for cover for murder. 1 possibility I reiterate. But if so then they wouldn't want it to look like she was killed in the home and then removed. That would raise other flags and paths maybe. Injured last known would be ok and maybe help their strategy if cover. Remember the LE keep stating kidnapping not possible homicide which may be due to the amount of blood found in the home.

The ransom notes part of this is what continues to keep this option open. It didn't seem like a serious attempt. Shaded toward it being a "celebrity kidnapping" - note went to TMZ. Could be more mud in the water for strategy.

And if it was for ransom originally they could continue the ransom plan in return for the body which would be far riskier than trying to return an alive person who can talk and has additional DNA on them. Her body may be very important for the family to retrieve.

Open to thoughts on this.

 

[Sakura2Sophia4Lucia]

I think what we're overlooking is that pool services allow you to schedule visits. She might easily have pool maintenance on a set schedule. In that case, no one has to think of it. The pool people just show up when they are supposed to.

My experience is that pool services in Tucson usually come on the same day once a week. The pool people show up regardless of whether anybody is home and don't necessarily ever interact with the homeowners. JMO

 

[SMK777]

I love how your mind works! That makes tons of sense. The play for big money failed, so are the tip messages perhaps an attempt for at least a small payout?

Seems to make sense.

 

[BrittMontero]

Putting aside any theories of what happened that night and by who, I think Nancy had been isolated and lonely for quite some time. I'm glad she at least had a friend that she watched church services with. Do we know if she had any other hobbies or activities post lockdown? From looking at her Facebook account, she often re-used the same blurry picture of herself that she had originally posted in 2012. Did she not think she had any better pictures of herself? She definitely did!

Also, I know that Annie, Tommaso, and their kid live nearby but I wonder how often they really checked in with Nancy besides presumably having dinner here and there.

On another note, I find Nancy's Nextdoor posts concerning and I'm surprised people aren't talking about them more. Two particular parts of this article raised my alarm bells:

"Her posts include asking for help in finding someone to remodel her pool, how to get to the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and periodic questions about how to take care of different plants."

and

"She rarely raised alarms about criminal activity. But on Sep. 4, 2020, she posted about a stolen package.
'Male thieves. Package stolen from front door yesterday. Be alert US POST OFFICE DELIVERED,' she wrote."

Surely Nancy could've asked one of her children before asking Nextdoor on how to get to an airport? Did she feel like she was an inconvenience to them? Even if no one in her family would be available to take her, I'm sure they could've arranged for an airport shuttle to pick her up.

As for the the thieves, that's alarming and I wish she would've provided more details. Did she tell anyone at all about this besides fellow Nextdoor users?

I would be cautious about infantilizing someone. The ageism in this discussion is concerning.

Just off the top of my head I (in my 60s) know people in their 70s and 80s who are maintaining rigorous schedules in the community band, who are leaders in the garden club, who still work, who maintain their own properties, who put in a lot of hours doing childcare for their family members, who drive large RVs, etc.

My former neighbor, at age 90, used to have a large vegetable garden each year and SHE would be snowblowering my driveway while I was still lying in bed. She wrote two books in her 80s, on a computer, and still drove 100 miles a few times a month to visit her sister.

There is no indication that NG had any cognitive decline, isolation, loneliness. She had mobility issues but she seemed to have a fairly active life. She still owned and presumably drove a vehicle.

Using the same old FB photo is nothing. I personally have a 20-year-old photo on LinkedIn because I don't like images of myself.

Asking how to get to the airport? Maybe she wanted to greet someone. Maybe she offered to pick up someone. Maybe she was looking that up for a friend. She didn't need anyone to "arrange a shuttle" for her.

NG is/was not a doddering, incompetent person, based upon anything I've read. It was stated when the disappearance was first announced that she was "sharp as a tack." Lots of people look up things online out of curiosity, not need or desperation.

As to the porch pirate, it didn't unnerve her too much as she didn't move, hire security guards or purchase a Ring subscription.

 

[LRinCA]

The chyron on News Nation (TV) states:

FBI: GLOVE FOUND APPEARS TO MATCH VIDEO

I was hoping/assuming (?) that the DNA on the found glove matches DNA found on the porch. I don't see how this can go far if it's just a visual match to that particular set of gloves. Perhaps I'm misinterpreting what's being reported at this point.

All jmo/imo.

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

There has been a lot of discussion about how poorly public communication has been handled in this case.

As a police public relations specialist, I’ll say this: In high-profile cases, it’s imperative for law enforcement to get in front of the story. A disciplined, well executed communications strategy is critical.

When agencies don’t communicate clearly and consistently, speculation fills the gap and public confidence is eroded—as we’re seeing here.

A strong PIO/comms team helps:

• Protect investigative integrity
• Control misinformation
• Coordinate media access
• Maintain public trust
• Demonstrate professionalism
• Encourage public cooperation

Vague or inconsistent communication damages credibility.

In this investigation, both the PCSD and the FBI would benefit substantially from a more strategic communications approach.

My suggestion: Put a strong PIO at the mic, do some damage control, and reset the narrative going forward.

— MOO

One of the best posts I've read since this discussion started. Bravo!

 

[submarine7]

Putting aside any theories of what happened that night and by who, I think Nancy had been isolated and lonely for quite some time. I'm glad she at least had a friend that she watched church services with. Do we know if she had any other hobbies or activities post lockdown? From looking at her Facebook account, she often re-used the same blurry picture of herself that she had originally posted in 2012. Did she not think she had any better pictures of herself? She definitely did!

Also, I know that Annie, Tommaso, and their kid live nearby but I wonder how often they really checked in with Nancy besides presumably having dinner here and there.

On another note, I find Nancy's Nextdoor posts concerning and I'm surprised people aren't talking about them more. Two particular parts of this article raised my alarm bells:

"Her posts include asking for help in finding someone to remodel her pool, how to get to the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and periodic questions about how to take care of different plants."

and

"She rarely raised alarms about criminal activity. But on Sep. 4, 2020, she posted about a stolen package.
'Male thieves. Package stolen from front door yesterday. Be alert US POST OFFICE DELIVERED,' she wrote."

Surely Nancy could've asked one of her children before asking Nextdoor on how to get to an airport? Did she feel like she was an inconvenience to them? Even if no one in her family would be available to take her, I'm sure they could've arranged for an airport shuttle to pick her up.

As for the the thieves, that's alarming and I wish she would've provided more details. Did she tell anyone at all about this besides fellow Nextdoor users?

None of know what was in Nancy's mind but this photo shows Nancy was more than a casual Man Jong player. She had at least that in her life. I think her daughter also played. I don't think Nancy was a lonely shut in.

 

[RedHaus]

Helpful and interesting.

If the abductor killed NG, they likely wanted to get NG's body out of their car as soon as possible. LE will likely find NG's body in an isolated area that is convenient to them and near where the they live, work or on a familiar travel route.

If they got rid of NG's body on their way home, near their home, workplace or a familiar travel route, it's unlikely that it would be on the highway going up to Mt Lemon. It's not on most people's travel routes or near where most people live and work, and would likely not be on the abductor's radar.

MOO

Interesting source, thank you.

I've been pondering about the "NG Stalker Perp" OPs and I, this morning, have profiled as theories.

What if the Stalker was NOT local, as is the presumption by LE, it appears? What if the Stalker was from far away in another state or country?

What if they work remotely such as for a tech company so they can continue working wherever they are as long as they have WiFi?

What if the Stalker planned this possible horrific act, to control SG's emotions and get her attention, for a long time? What if the Stalker rented a short term rental and car (Grey SUV?) for a month or three to refine their plan?

What if they killed NG, and since not local, they carted her body far away from NG's home - into the desert or mountains? And what if those desert and mountains were in UT, CO, TX, CA, NV, MX?

What if their Tucson short term rental had been reserved to end the morning of 2/1 to coincide with their exit strategy?

What if their car rental and flights to / from the area were not from Tucson, but an airport ~2-8 hours away, perhaps with the dumping location on the way from Tucson, departing 2/1?

IOW, if it was a deranged SG stalker, did they come into town stay a while and then leave with no local trace and with NG far away?

All speculation. My imagination's queries.

ET: fix my NG / SG mixup!

 

[birdbox]

1–findings evidence of blood/DNA traces at the scene does not immediately mean it was NG’s blood
2–the search warrant was for the car—not an arrest warrant for the driver
3–that driver/owner might not have had access to THAT CAR when Nancy G was abducted.
4–if he DIDN’T have access to THAT CAR (which is suspicious for some reason to LE) when she was taken, then he likely isn’t the guy who took her…
5–if LE have reason to suspect that driver or those at that house know more, I imagine those 3 are under surveillance
6–there is other info available from a through forensic search of that Range Rover—
Consider the GPS history that might have been sent back to an insurance company, the Sirius people (because cars like that usually have Sirius radio/tracking option), or the car’s mfg co before the battery was maybe disconnected to wipe any data the car’s systems collected about its location, its driving times to prevent connecting to the actual crime.
I don’t know that the battery WAS disconnected but that happens when used cars are sold—to clear the history/data cache from previous users.

Cars in that price range often come equipped with theft tracking/LoJack device that goes to 3rd part monitor….that could have collected data about the times/dates LE are interested in….

Drugs are not involved in this case IMO—certainly was not illegal amount in that Range Rover when it was stopped or that driver would be in jail

Very good points!!

 

[Colleen Donnelly]

So unprofessional. Not only is that an environmentally damaging practice it's costly to process all those gloves for DNA in a lab. IMO

I'm having an incredibly hard time grasping that all manner of LE people would take off their gloves and just drop them willy nilly all over the ground for miles around, never mind at the property. It's so insane to think about, I don't believe it. Until I hear that statement from the mouths of LE, I choose to think that what the journalist ( whoever that was ) said about that was taken out of context.

 

[fridaybaker]

So what are the steps now that they have DNA off of the glove? Run it through CODIS? Anyone know how long that takes?
Then what, assuming no hits? Go to a database where you can build out a genealogy profile? Are those the steps? TIA!

 

[TIGER0822]

Someone suggested a perp. may have accessed the inside of the garage during the two minutes the garage door was opened and closed when TC dropped Nancy off. A question I have, is that the way Namacy and TC would ususally access the house?

 

[Nikynoo]

FOR PEOPLE HERE WHO ARE SAYING IT WASNT A Kidnaping.....HERE YOU GO

Kidnapping is generally defined as taking a person against their will by force, threat, or deceit, often for ransom or to facilitate another crime, such as sexual assault or injury. Abduction, often considered a broader term, involves unlawfully taking a person—frequently a child—away from their guardian, sometimes without direct violence, such as through persuasion or fraud.

Exactly what what you call it? NG wasn't taken voluntarily, to attend a tea party. JMO MOO

Abduction is what I would call it. The ransom demands were too late for this to be a kidnapping imo.

 

[HoveringWombats]

My suggestion: Put a strong PIO at the mic, do some damage control, and reset the narrative going forward.

I've been wondering if PCSD even has a PIO. Has anyone heard from (or of) one? I'm not that familiar with this field, but I know that the agencies around me all have PIOs, and all of the local press have relationships with them. Is Pima County too small of an agency to have someone in this role?

 

[Napoli]

Quotation marks are used for when directly quoting from another source.

When you quote from another source a link must be provided. That is my understanding. My post was all musing and was stated as IMO< JMO ETC. My "other source" is the possible thought process of a deranged potential perpetrator.

 

[AppleTreeGreen]

Based on this article it sounds as if digging in the desert would be quite difficult.

Caliche – natural concrete, can you dig it?

If you try to dig a hole in your yard in Tucson, chances are that you will soon hit a very hard, almost impenetrable layer. The term “caliche” is a colloquial word that means different things in different places. In the Sonoran Desert, it means a mixture of gravel, sand, clay and other desert...

arizonadailyindependent.com

If you try to dig a hole in your yard in Tucson, chances are that you will soon hit a very hard, almost impenetrable layer.

The term “caliche” is a colloquial word that means different things in different places. In the Sonoran Desert, it means a mixture of gravel, sand, clay and other desert debris cemented by porous calcium carbonate and is more properly called a calcic horizon. These calcic horizons generally occur two to four feet below the surface and can be inches to many feet thick. Caliche forms only in arid and semi-arid areas. In Tucson, with an average annual rainfall of 10 to 12 inches, caliche forms more than ten inches below the surface.

One thought I had too is that they would have to consider the risk of attracting predators, such as coyotes, rodents or javelin, to the site or the remains causing the animals to follow and attack them as they are carried.

JMO/MOO

 

[InVinoVeritas]

Re Motive. Because it is possible it is intended kidnapping for cover for murder. 1 possibility I reiterate. But if so then they wouldn't want it to look like she was killed in the home and then removed. That would raise other flags and paths maybe. Injured last known would be ok and maybe help their strategy if cover. Remember the LE keep stating kidnapping not possible homicide which may be due to the amount of blood found in the home.

The ransom notes part of this is what continues to keep this option open. It didn't seem like a serious attempt. Shaded toward it being a "celebrity kidnapping" - note went to TMZ. Could be more mud in the water for strategy.

And if it was for ransom originally they could continue the ransom plan in return for the body which would be far riskier than trying to return an alive person who can talk and has additional DNA on them. Her body may be very important for the family to retrieve.

Open to thoughts on this.

Are you suggesting a staged kidnapping or intended kidnap which somehow turned to murder?

 

[SlimPickens]

Helpful and interesting.

If the abductor killed NG, they likely wanted to get NG's body out of their car as soon as possible. So, this article suggests that LE will likely find NG's body in an isolated area that is convenient to the abductor and near where they live, work or on a familiar travel route.

If they got rid of NG's body on their way home, near their home, workplace or a familiar travel route, it's unlikely that it would be on the highway going up to Mt Lemon. It's about 18-19 miles from NG's house to the beginning of the more remote and steep areas of Catalina Highway going up toward Mt Lemon. This area is not on most people's travel routes or near where most people live and work, and would likely not be on the abductor's radar. If the abductor lived in the area between Tanque Verde and Catalina Highway or further east, of course it's possible, but it just doesn't seem that it would be convenient to the abductor.

MOO

Or, Mexico.

JMO.

 

[Sakura2Sophia4Lucia]

There has been a lot of discussion about how poorly public communication has been handled in this case.

As a police public relations specialist, I’ll say this: In high-profile cases, it’s imperative for law enforcement to get in front of the story. A disciplined, well executed communications strategy is critical.

When agencies don’t communicate clearly and consistently, speculation fills the gap and public confidence is eroded—as we’re seeing here.

A strong PIO/comms team helps:

• Protect investigative integrity
• Control misinformation
• Coordinate media access
• Maintain public trust
• Demonstrate professionalism
• Encourage public cooperation

Vague or inconsistent communication damages credibility.

In this investigation, both the PCSD and the FBI would benefit substantially from a more strategic communications approach.

My suggestion: Put a strong PIO at the mic, do some damage control, and reset the narrative going forward.

— MOO

Sheriff could certainly have found your knowledge helpful, and he certainly should have a PIO in charge of communication. IMO, he's been overwhelmed by the extensive media and isn't knowledgable in strategic communication. Not too late for Sheriff to hire a PIO and have them do, as you say, damage control and ret the narrative. JMO

 

[factseeking]

I think deliberately leaving a physical piece of evidence, such as a note, is one of the least likely things a kidnapper would do in this day and age.

JMO

I agree if it's a kidnapper who is technologically savvy and knew what they were doing so to speak but then why was there a time gap in sending the ransom note? And why no proof of life? Surely they knew if they're smart that would be necessary. I know there are no real answers to these questions at this point.

If it's the revenge person why haven't they claimed responsibility? As others have pointed out they would want people to know why.

But again, I realized is was somewhat farfetched that they would leave something. Like everyone else I have a lot of questions whirling around in my mind that won't be answered without more solid info.