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

[investigatoroffacts]

So, I don't think it's necessarily productive to stir up or stoke the "Sheriff v feds" drama. That stuff is better hashed out after Nancy is found and the perp(s) have been arrested. But there was one thing from the Brian Entin video today that didn't quite make sense to me, and I'm wondering if anyone else can help me understand. From this part here (direct link to timestamp 31:41):

CeCe Moore says (pasted from YouTube's auto-generated transcript, with two minor spelling corrections by me, so it may not be perfect):



If she is saying that the FBI team can do stuff that the private lab can't, it doesn't make sense to me why it would then be "not a mistake" to send it to the private lab first. Isn't this potentially introducing delay, in a case in which time is clearly of the essence? Am I missing something here, or misunderstanding? I just don't get how this expert is both saying that it's fine to send it to a private lab, and that the FBI can do more than the private lab, so you could send it there later. I feel like there must be some key piece of information I am missing.

I get that if it isn't an urgent case, it can make sense to let one lab give it a shot and escalate only if they need help, but that doesn't seem like the situation we're in here.

Can someone help me understand this?

This is the way I perceive it…That Private labs can often generate a usable DNA profile faster, especially if the FBI lab is backed up and the evidence would otherwise sit in a queue. Labs like DNA Labs International tend to move quickly and have fewer bureaucratic steps. Then if the sample is complicated (partial DNA, mixture, IGG needed, etc.), the FBI can step in and take it further with their specialized resources. So it’s not really “private lab vs FBI” it can be private lab first for speed, then FBI escalation if needed.

 

[shonyakay]

Didn't a few minutes ago, LE said this isn't true? Good lord, me confused.

Yes per BE - he said the Sheriff said it wasn't accurate because it is still an active investigation.

 

[SaraSmile]

Also, remeber when Laci Peterson's body washed up? LE had been following SP for weeks keeping tabs on him although "not a suspect" and as soon as her body washed up they caught him on the way to Mexico with dyed hair and gotee!!

Many criminals think if they cross the border into Mexico, ie. Tijuana, Ensenada, Rosario, that they are safe.
They head to the beach, cold drink! Ahh, freedom( they think!). Shortly after apprehended!

Soon Mexican border patrol or police pick them up, return to USA LE custody. It’s so often, fast such great cooperation along the border! Mexicans don’t want US criminals in their tourist areas. Many Americans like the tourist areas to blend in, speak English. ( in this AZ case, these perps may know Spanish).

Ryan Wedding escaped capture for 10 years because he headed way south, had cartel protection, til he got caught. In the end the Mexicans found him, told US Marshals. JMO

Rosarito Beach seems to be the first stop for many dumb criminals. Matthew Taylor Coleman,
Christian Hilliaret, Hannah Kobayashi. 3 fairly recent, all caught on border crossing, very good cameras.

JMO
,

 

[warp3dwing]

I agree, the gloves worn by Lantana Man look bulky and not disposable.
What occupation uses these kind of gloves and bite lights?

When I searched "bitelight", Manhattan Wardrobe Supply's site came up. Not sure if it's coming up at the top because of my geolocation or what.

But they sell thick gloves (for hair dyes?) and bitelights among other hair and makeup-related tools.

Seems unlikely, but hey, it's a data point.

 

[CandyKiss]

Most people NG's age living alone would presumably have an emergency necklace or something that they can press at any time to call 911. I think it is to ensure they can get help if they have a fall or a medical emergency. How could an unknown intruder know if she had this or not? Only an insider would know this (that she didn't have one). I am leaning towards someone in her inner circle hiring a kidnapper or hitman off the dark web and that is the perp caught on camera. Maybe they even used bitcoin as payment. MOO.

You'd be suprised by the reports; most seniors do not wear the emergency buttons/necklace. (see attached) Medical Alert Systems: 2023-2024 Research and Statistics

 

[Diddian]

Personally, I think the lantana was a stroke of genius. To me it means he’s a problem solver.

Yes, but even chimpanzees use plants as tools.

 

[Napoli]

In the movie BUFFALO BILL, Senator Martin says to the serial killer...she's gentle and kind. TALK TO HER AND YOU'LL SEE. SG used that line in one of her videos..IIRC. So, movie script lingo is rapidly becoming more than a coincidence MOO

 

[Arkay]

remember someone who'd seen the first note saying it was was braggadocios (something like that), because it made assertions like "you'll never guess my identity" and other similar things

If this kind of thing is actually true, IMO this sounds exactly NOTHING like a genuine kidnapper demanding $6,000 000 in Bitcoin, stat.

In my opinion, a serious and knowledgeable crypto thief is not fooling around or making small talk or any kind of conversation.

The first note we heard about from TMZ did IMO seem genuine, according to whatever untraceable address and well-informed about the workings of crypto which it appeared to contain.

These newer letters broadcast by TMZ strike me as more juvenile.

JMO for now.

 

[tricia]

Brian Entin on WFLA earlier today

 

[rosiebean]

Most people NG's age living alone would presumably have an emergency necklace or something that they can press at any time to call 911. I think it is to ensure they can get help if they have a fall or a medical emergency. How could an unknown intruder know if she had this or not? Only an insider would know this (that she didn't have one). I am leaning towards someone in her inner circle hiring a kidnapper or hitman off the dark web and that is the perp caught on camera. Maybe they even used bitcoin as payment. MOO.

Maybe she did, but wasn't able to pick it up/reach it in time. Maybe she didn't.

But I would not assume that most people NG's age living alone have that type of tech. Medical alert systems are not as widely adapted as you'd think, in parts because of costs (which is not an issue presumably in NG's case) and in part because older adults who are able to live alone simply do not think they're old enough to need one. And though I know anecdote is not data, I'm no spring chicken, so I'm familiar with caring for older family members at all stages (those aging in place, those in assisted living facilities, etc.). Of all of them, only one used such a device and by the point she agreed to use, she required in-home assistance every day (the device was a 'backup' for the handful of hours a day she didn't have someone with her).

 

[O.Incandenza]

Ransom letters sent over the internet is a federal crime, even if they are fake.

But unless the abductors wrote the ransom letters, abduction is pretty much a state cirme, unless NG was moved out of AZ. Fed gov can sometimes use cyberstalking.....

Was Casey Anthony charged with a federal crime? Was Susan Smith charged with a federal crime? Was Scott Peterson charged with a federal crime? The list goes on and on...

This is true. However, the Federal Kidnapping Act also says that there's a rebuttable presumption that they have been transported across state lines if they've been held for more than 24 hours. So even if it ends up not being a federal crime, they can investigate it as if it is. Basically it gives the FBI jurisdiction to conduct their own investigation even if they haven't been invited by local LE. Whether federal charges could eventually be brought for the kidnapping would depend on whether the victim was actually transported across state lines.

Of course, kidnapping is also a state crime. So the PCSO also has jurisdiction. The federal investigation doesn't supersede the local investigation, so they need to cooperate. It's a case with concurrent jurisdiction.

 

[birdbox]

None of it sounds odd or coded to me. It’s the kind of language that people who truly believe in forgiveness and that all people are inherently ‘good’ use.

Yeah I mean there is a finite

You'd be suprised by the reports; most seniors do not wear the emergency buttons/necklace. (see attached) Medical Alert Systems: 2023-2024 Research and

Yep

 

[Jade]

I wear gloves frequently on a daily basis. Most disposable gloves are nitrile due to latex allergies. They make gloves with different thicknesses so the gloves may look bulkier because they are thicker quality or they have on multiple layers/poorly sized gloves. I remembered during the beginning of Covid nobody really knew what was going on, there were times I wore two layers of gloves and they were tight. JMO the guy probably has multiple layers of gloves on.

I use the the sturdy black disposable nitrile ones at work. I just tried them on and two did not show any bulk and the third pair would not go more than half way down over the fingers even with pulling hard on them.

So two sizes? A large glove to cover the smaller ones or to cover another kind of glove.

Some of the non disposable ones have a liner that would add the bulk.

Reusable Neoprene Gloves, Light Duty, 13-1/2" L, 18-mil, Lightly Lined

Reusable Neoprene Gloves, Light Duty, 13-1/2" L, 18-mil, Lightly Lined, Superior Strength & FlexibilityNeoprene is one of the best choices for handling a variety of acids and alkalis. Also ideal for use with solvents, herbicides, pesticides, petroleum based solutions and oils. Can be used with...

www.dultmeier.com

 

[Sessiebo]

None of it sounds odd or coded to me. It’s the kind of language that people who truly believe in forgiveness and that all people are inherently ‘good’ use.

Exactly. Some sentences SG uses just happen to also be used in movies. I'm pretty sure every other sentence can be found in some movie or another.

JMO

 

[Irmese]

Most people NG's age living alone would presumably have an emergency necklace or something that they can press at any time to call 911. I think it is to ensure they can get help if they have a fall or a medical emergency. How could an unknown intruder know if she had this or not? Only an insider would know this (that she didn't have one). I am leaning towards someone in her inner circle hiring a kidnapper or hitman off the dark web and that is the perp caught on camera. Maybe they even used bitcoin as payment. MOO.

I know a lot of seniors. None, not one, has a Life Alert necklace.

 

[EyeCandy]

Here is a neighbor talking about Nancy's front door and where her bedroom was located. It is interesting.

https://www.cnn.com/2026/02/13/us/video/ebof-guthrie-neighbor-laura-gargano-feb-13

left front then is Nancy bedroom? Wonder how secure the windows are at that house?

 

[rosesfromangels]

Many criminals think if they cross the border into Mexico, ie. Tijuana, Ensenada, Rosario, that they are safe.
They head to the beach, cold drink! Ahh, freedom( they think!). Shortly after apprehended!

Soon Mexican border patrol or police pick them up, return to USA LE custody. It’s so often, fast such great cooperation along the border! Mexicans don’t want US criminals in their tourist areas. Many Americans like the tourist areas to blend in, speak English. ( in this AZ case, these perps may know Spanish).

Ryan Wedding escaped capture for 10 years because he headed way south, had cartel protection, til he got caught. In the end the Mexicans found him, told US Marshals. JMO

Rosarito Beach seems to be the first stop for many dumb criminals. Matthew Taylor Coleman,
Christian Hilliaret, Hannah Kobayashi. 3 fairly recent, all caught on border crossing, very good cameras.

JMO
,

And the best part is if you extend that reward for info to Mexico, you will have thousands of poor people in the border towns actively hunting for them. $100k would be a lifestyle change for them. And most important, Mexicans in general revere their Abuelas. This is against all their beliefs. Enlist the people of Mexico to solve this and be heroes!

Amateur opinion and speculation

 

[Elisaa444]

Here is a neighbor talking about Nancy's front door and where her bedroom was located. It is interesting.

https://www.cnn.com/2026/02/13/us/video/ebof-guthrie-neighbor-laura-gargano-feb-13

Very interesting. I had not seen this. Thank you for sharing.

 

[Orion96007]

In the movie BUFFALO BILL, Senator Martin says to the serial killer...she's gentle and kind. TALK TO HER AND YOU'LL SEE. SG used that line in one of her videos..IIRC. So, movie script lingo is rapidly becoming more than a coincidence MOO

[On topic, but possibly out of line, but I couldn't resist..... If they use the lines "As you wish" or "Inconceivable" or "I do not mean to pry, but you don't by any chance happen to have six fingers on your right hand?", I will be the biggest fan]

 

[HoveringWombats]

This is the way I perceive it…That Private labs can often generate a usable DNA profile faster, especially if the FBI lab is backed up and the evidence would otherwise sit in a queue. Labs like DNA Labs International tend to move quickly and have fewer bureaucratic steps. Then if the sample is complicated (partial DNA, mixture, IGG needed, etc.), the FBI can step in and take it further with their specialized resources. So it’s not really “private lab vs FBI” it can be private lab first for speed, then FBI escalation if needed.

Ok, yes, this makes a lot of sense to me. That's helpful. Thank you!