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

[connie9030]

I think she is spot on. Bloggers, podcasters, and the yellow journalists motivated by clicks and looking to make a name for themselves with scoops that are premature or unfounded. They're not professional journalists who report facts without inserting themselves into the story. Overall, the sensationalist outlets and individuals covering this are hampering progress of the investigation in my opinion. They've played fast and loose with the facts and wild speculation. They posted online about the two major LE operations in advance and while they were underway, tipping off potential targets and possibly endangering the victim's life. They've doxed people who they incorrectly believe to be targets, individuals questioned and released, acquaintances of family members with no indication they're involved. They've harrassed and spread baseless rumors about family members, repeating misinformation about gambling debts and the like so often it is seen as fact. The circus atmosphere created by the media frenzy has repercussions for real people, like the car dealer whose business w an adjacent property. Getting the word out was critical, and mainstream media provide excellent, balanced coverage. The online and tabloid journalists, the unscrupulous self-promoters, are not value-added here

So true! I hope citizens all around the country now understand the consequences of interfering in LE operations. Tipping off targets can be very dangerous and doxxing is very detrimental not just to targets but their families. Step back and let LE do their job.

 

[Cassie P]

So let's say this was the plan or something like it, is it for ransom? I could have bought the ransom letters but they apparently never gave proof of life, so if that's what the plan was, she had to have passed away or they would have given POL to get paid right?

We don't know the motives for robbers to take NG if the robbery went bad. Did she recognize on of them? Or did one of them injure her? Was she taken to hide more serious crimes than robbery? Or being identified?

We also do not know what is going on behind the scenes with the kidnappers/LE/family.

 

[connie9030]

This is pretty eye opening to listen to. Brian conducts an interview with Sargent Cross, he's a sargent and union president for the pima county sheriff's office.

At 37:25 Brian asks him if it's true that the homicide department is fairly inexperienced

Cross states that the homicide department has 96 detectives, and that 45 of them are "detective 1s", not sure what that equates to in months or years but they're newer to the homicide team.

Cross said he believes the most senior detective in the homicide department has been there 3 years. There are other detectives currently with homicide that have more experience overall, with other departments, but newer to homicide.

I watched that too. Previous no-confidence vote regarding the Sheriff came back almost unanimously yes. 1 no vote. Cross said Sheriff won 2024 election by about 500 votes. A mass exodus of detectives and patrol resulted after that resulting in the inexperience of those in the department. Sounds like nobody wants to work for him.

 

[Cassie P]

Agreed. How can we expect that this person has a safe place for her? Food, water? Change of clothes and underwear? Restroom? Shower? Without meds for 2 weeks? It doesn't sound believable to me at all.

Of course it is possible and believable. But it won't be hotel level accommodations or like being at home.

A room, place to sleep, food once a day. Bucket near by or taken to the bathroom twice a day.
Maybe a change of clothing.

People have been held captive with sparse or dismal accommodations and survived.
Women and children were detained in horrid conditions in WWII for example.

But yes an elderly person with health issues is at risk.

 

[SMK777]

Of course it is possible and believable. But it won't be hotel level accommodations or like being at home.

A room, place to sleep, food once a day. Bucket near by or taken to the bathroom twice a day.
Maybe a change of clothing.

People have been held captive with sparse or dismal accommodations and survived.
Women and children were detained in horrid conditions in WWII for example.

But yes an elderly person with health issues is at risk.

I guess so.

 

[MadDoc]

Forgive me if this has been posted before. I have been doing my best to keep up with this thread. I consider myself to be a speed-reader, but it has taken every minute of my spare time.

This happened a few days ago in Sydney. Not sure if it has its own thread yet. When I read about it, I noticed some similarities to Nancy Guthrie's case and some differences.

Kidnapping of Chris Baghsarian (ABC News)

To summarize key points in the article:
* 85-year-old victim
* Believed to be snatched from his bedroom around 5am on Friday by intruders who forced their way into his home
* There are concerns about Mr Baghsarian's wellbeing due his age and because he requires daily medication
* However, LE believe he is still alive and have issued an appeal for his safe return
* CCTV footage shows him being taken by the group - at least 3 people believed to be involved, possibly more
* There is also a video of him "filmed by his kidnappers and distributed by his captors"
* LE believe it is a case of mistaken identity and that the actual target was "a figure with links to the Alameddine crime family"
* The victim's family have not received a ransom demand. The police have no indication whether the "actual target's" family have received a ransom demand (IMO if they did, they may not contact police about it)

I will be following this case with great interest, in parallel with that of Nancy Guthrie.

Anything not in the article is my own opinion and speculation only.

 

[MadDoc]

I hope I haven't missed someone else posting the link, but we've had an elderly person kidnapped in Australia - not a lot of information available at this stage but we have a link on WS here:

Australia Thread 'Australia - Chris Baghsarian, 85, Sydney, Kidnapped 13 February 2026'

Saturday at 4:17 PM

Chris Baghsarian was kidnapped on February 13, 2026. I forgot to put that in the title. If anyone knows how to edit it, I would be grateful.

Chris Baghsarian, 85, kidnapped in reported case of mistaken identity in Sydney

Grandfather, 85, Snatched from His Home in Case of Suspected Mistaken Identity: ‘Screaming Just Kept on Going'

• Molly's Mom
• Replies: 24
• Forum: Missing Persons Discussion

• 
• 
• 

A very distressing situation - Chris Baghsarian is 85 years old and at this stage they are thinking mistaken identity. It's getting limited coverage here, but I am just posting as this is a rare situation like Nancy's.

The latest link I can find has more details - there are some distressing images in the article but they have been blurred.

https://www.news.com.au/national/nsw-act/crime/chilling-cctv-captures-moments-elderly-sydney-man-kidnapped-from-quiet-suburban-home/news-story/8f326e61f60114205c884a1fa8ca6e1b

Hope it's not too off topic, just thought it was relevant given the age of the person kidnapped, and in this case they seem to think they took the wrong person (I'm not sure at this stage, either way hoping he is returned home)

I checked the thread before I composed my post, and you must have literally posted at the same time that I did!

Great minds think alike.

 

[SMK777]

Forgive me if this has been posted before. I have been doing my best to keep up with this thread. I consider myself to be a speed-reader, but it has taken every minute of my spare time.

This happened a few days ago in Sydney. Not sure if it has its own thread yet. When I read about it, I noticed some similarities to Nancy Guthrie's case and some differences.

Kidnapping of Chris Baghsarian (ABC News)

To summarize key points in the article:
* 85-year-old victim
* Believed to be snatched from his bedroom around 5am on Friday by intruders who forced their way into his home
* There are concerns about Mr Baghsarian's wellbeing due his age and because he requires daily medication
* However, LE believe he is still alive and have issued an appeal for his safe return
* CCTV footage shows him being taken by the group - at least 3 people believed to be involved, possibly more
* There is also a video of him "filmed by his kidnappers and distributed by his captors"
* LE believe it is a case of mistaken identity and that the actual target was "a figure with links to the Alameddine crime family"
* The victim's family have not received a ransom demand. The police have no indication whether the "actual target's" family have received a ransom demand (IMO if they did, they may not contact police about it)

I will be following this case with great interest, in parallel with that of Nancy Guthrie.

Anything not in the article is my own opinion and speculation only.

So no ransom demands and probably mistaken identity? Wow.

 

[Catchinglisk]

I don’t have cable, did SG report the news as normal this morning?

She’s been on leave for vocal surgery but now she’s on indefinite hiatus

 

[Cassie P]

She's basing her assumption/analysis on the fact that Ms Guthrie is statistically a "low risk victim" meaning that she doesn't affiliate with criminals, lives in a nice neighborhood, etc., and that since she is statistically a low risk victim then the probability of her being randomly targeted is low and the probability of her being specifically targeted is high. In other words, folks that live in nicer areas are less likely to be a victim of violent crime, and since she was a victim of violent crime it was less likely random violence and more likely targeted violence.

Hope that made sense.

JMO.

Also the fact NG has a well known, wealthy daughter is most likely not a coincidence?

 

[Scooby-Doo]

I think today we will get some answers from the FBI

I am very excited about the glove; I feel a game-changer in this case

The first thing they will do is compare it to the unknown DNA found inside Nancy's home

Second, if they need to will be Codis ( basically people who have been in trouble with the law in the past)

And then DNA Genealogy (combines DNA testing with traditional, document-based research to trace family history, confirm relationships)

The FBI will also be checking for DNA in Nancy's vehicle, which was taken away

So more than one sample to test one on one

I think the Sheriff and FBI already preliminary know, another reason why the statement was given out yesterday

The profile will be built, then the FBI will put it into Codis and law enforcement will take it from there

 

[Missyrocks5]

Who thinks someone in the family is responsible for what happened to Ms Guthrie ?

Hapless Lantana guy (+ possible accomplice) were hired to act like burglars and stage it ?

While I never wanted to believe this, it couldn't be ruled out... and was fueled when LE kept returning to TC/AG's property as well as door to door in their immediate neighbourhood

The whole home invasion gone wrong - taking Ms Guthrie - makes no sense. Although, tbf, nothing's made a shred of sense since day 1.

*edited to add... just putting a theory out, not saying it's what I do think occurred.

Agree. Was curious to see what folks are thinking now. I still go back to my original inclination. I do believe it was murder, and I do think that a person/persons were hired as part of the scenario, perhaps for the original deed, maybe for cleanup. I think it will end up being very close to her inner circle because I think whoever was acquainted with the property, the home, that area and we know felt comfortable enough to be inside for 41 minutes in the middle of the night.

I do not buy into burglary or kidnapping. That backpack was stuffed to the gills, and no burglar is going to go in without room to take whatever they're supposedly there for plus nothing seems to show stolen items. And I still go back to the same thought that no one is going to take an elderly, sick woman on a cane hostage. You also have the facts early on where there was no request for money until I think some random folks got involved with notes, etc that have nothing to do with the original murder. It's not cartel, too messy, not their style.

Maybe it was an argument that went wrong or I do still think there's a chance that the people associated with the murder tried to stage it as though it was a burglary or a kidnapping, etc. However, I do not think that was the actual intent in any of it. I think it was disposal and cleanup. Just awful.

 

[annpats]

I don’t think this has anything to do with a robbery and I don't think it’s tied to a live kidnapping case either.

Agree.

Who wanted NG dead is the question I’m still holding on to.

It wasn't a revenge killing, nor a random psychopathic murderer, nor an accident. Someone purposely wanted NG gone, and broke into her house to get her.

Who would benefit most from her death? Why would they benefit?
It can only be about money.

MOO.

 

[annpats]

I think it will end up being very close to her inner circle because I think whoever was acquainted with the property, the home, that area and we know felt comfortable enough to be inside for 41 minutes in the middle of the night.

How do we think most of the 41 minutes was spent?

What were they actually doing in there for that amount of time?

Prowling around the house looking for something? As far as we know, nothing was taken.

Would it take that long to subdued/kill an elderly woman and move her out? There would have to be at least 2 people to move her.

MOO.

 

[InVinoVeritas]

How do we think most of the 41 minutes was spent?

What were they actually doing in there for that amount of time?

Prowling around the house looking for something? As far as we know, nothing was taken.

Would it take that long to subdued/kill an elderly woman and move her out? There would have to be at least 2 people to move her.

MOO.

JMO but there may have been dialogue, explaining what was happening. Ultimately we have no idea, but it's possible the perps explained to NG that they were taking her but would look after her until a ransom was paid.

 

[Elley Mae]

I think today we will get some answers from the FBI

I am very excited about the glove; I feel a game-changer in this case

The first thing they will do is compare it to the unknown DNA found inside Nancy's home

Second, if they need to will be Codis ( basically people who have been in trouble with the law in the past)

And then DNA Genealogy (combines DNA testing with traditional, document-based research to trace family history, confirm relationships)

The FBI will also be checking for DNA in Nancy's vehicle, which was taken away

So more than one sample to test one on one

I think the Sheriff and FBI already preliminary know, another reason why the statement was given out yesterday

The profile will be built, then the FBI will put it into Codis and law enforcement will take it from there

I too hope this will help in finding the who.

This is what i want to see.

A New AI Tool Can Recreate Your Face Using Nothing But Your DNA

New AI built by Chinese scientists can create 3D faces from DNA with alarming accuracy.

www.zmescience.com

 

[penguinface]

If NG wasn’t wearing her hearing aid, I wonder if there’s the possibility an assailant could have got frustrated at her not understanding or folllowing his commands and demands, and lashed out.

JMO

 

[shonyakay]

Their source tells them they think it's a burglary gone wrong and they believe Nancy is still alive.
I'm trying to understand what they think happened here?

"Okay, so I got the jewels, the cash, oh and during the rush I accidentally grabbed this random old lady. Whoops."

They could be basing that, in part, on additional nest camera footage that they have seen that we haven't.

 

[Lukey2121]

The full backpack and the 41 minutes spent inside the house makes me think theres a good possibility it was a burglary gone wrong.
The backpack being full of tools with the intention of breaking into or removing a safe while the 41 minutes was spent looking for and interrogating NG about the safe/ money.

I’m sure there are a million possibilities but this theory makes sense to me. MOO

 

[flakesofsnow]

I’m adding my opinion that Ive held from the beginning : that someone went to NG’s house that first night with the intent to kill her, which they did jmo. I don’t think this has anything to do with a robbery and I dont think it’s tied to a live kidnapping case either. No robber goes in to a house with a fully loaded backpack. A robber tends to carry one break in tool and an empty backpack to carry out the goods. And I’m not sure Ive heard of a robber (who wanted stolen goods) deciding it was better for him to take the person hostage or carry out the dead body from the house. The blood on the front porch tells me her serious injury happened on the front porch, (until we hear facts that there was a blood trail into the home). I think the stats say that most robberies occur during the daytime when people are not home sleeping. Who wanted NG dead is the question I’m still holding on to. The sideline circus of ransom notes is the second criminal case jmo, one that I am less interested in. Anxious for resolution for the family no matter what the true story is.

Its hard to speculate with no information form LE regarding any part of the crime scene other than the video and still pictures.