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

[cherryleaf]

What about a change of clothing for the perp himself?
Could he have been bright enough to bring that in case he was seen and a description of his clothing sent out to law enforcement? For example, if he had Nancy incapacitated in the trunk of his car, and he wanted to distance himself in physical appearance, he would simply change his coat for example.

Bringing a backpack makes little sense to begin with but the fact that it appeared full, makes me think it had some form of clothing...or other bulky items.

Yes, absolutely it could have contained a change of clothes for the perp(s) too. Given his layers though, I also think he may have stripped the first layer of clothes off, essentially already wearing most of the change of clothes underneath. Possibly a change of shoes in the back pack as well. MOO

 

[Hopefulcat]

If the perp is from the Hispanic community, perhaps his family don't speak that much English, nor watch many news programs from the USA.
They may know nothing about it.

Maybe. This is however international news and is being covered in spanish. My MIL and family in Colombia are aware of this case. In contrast, many of my friends in the US (all english speaking) aren't. They just don’t watch the news. MOO.

 

[VeronicaVaughn]

There's too much stuff to wade through in this case. I don't even remember if it was an article or video.

I haven't been able to find anything with a specific location on the watch, just this article where there is a mention of it by HL:

Redirect Notice

I'm just catching up this morning so my apologies if this repetitive information.

MOO.

 

[Soccer Hooligan]

Looking at a photo of a bite light almost triggers my gag reflex. Seems like it would be awkward and uncomfortable to keep in your mouth for more than a few minutes. If this person was in the house for as long as 40 minutes would he keep it in his mouth the whole time? His hands look to be so stuffed (2 pair of gloves?) that holding something smallish would be difficult.
He had to be uncomfortable, the light in his mouth and the ski mask would limit
Peripheral vision.

Not the light I would use either. Just saying — I don’t think the perp wore dentures. I’m sure other people handle their dentures better than some - but if I were to try what he did — you’d see my behind leaning over and picking up my teeth!! No way I could do that with my dentures in. JMO

 

[SMK777]

Lets hope and pray today is Felon Friday and investigative genetic genealogy comes back with a hit.

Today's the day! (Quoting Abby and Libby case)

Sincerely hoping so, but it would be rather quick.

 

[BigCityAccountant]

Nancy Guthrie once played along in staged childhood 'kidnapping' tradition, daughter's book says

NBC "Today" host Savannah Guthrie once wrote about staged childhood "kidnappings." Nancy Guthrie went missing on February 1, according to officials.

www.foxnews.com

Just bumping off this.
Who played along with them, other than family? Who among friends knew about this?

Not the light I would use either. Just saying — I don’t think the perp wore dentures. I’m sure other people handle their dentures better than some - but if I were to try what he did — you’d see my behind leaning over and picking up my teeth!! No way I could do that with my dentures in. JMO

Could be the source of the DNA found in the house, perhaps? Taken out of his mouth to speak to Nancy and set down on something and then picked up?

Just throwing out theories.

MOO

 

[penguinface]

If part of his reason for the light was hoping that the brightness of a small, powerful bulb would obscure facial details from cameras, he might have thought that having it more centrally located in his mouth would do a better job of the circle of light covering his whole face than a light on his forehead would.

JMO

 

[Deep Throat]

I'm thinking it was something like this (or smaller), with the key ring removed (speculation)

View attachment 646911

Amazon.com

or this

View attachment 646913

Nitefox e1 Smallest Keychain Flashlight Micro Tiny Mini Keychain Light Long-Lasting Safety Light for Everyday Carry Emergencies Outdoor Dog Walking Hiking Camping Nice Gift for Parents Kids - Amazon.com

Nitefox e1 Smallest Keychain Flashlight Micro Tiny Mini Keychain Light Long-Lasting Safety Light for Everyday Carry Emergencies Outdoor Dog Walking Hiking Camping Nice Gift for Parents Kids - Amazon.com

www.amazon.com

or this

View attachment 646914

Amazon.com

It's definitely NOT the flat rectangular flashlight you've shown at the top. I have one of those exact flashlights and tried holding in my mouth, three observations. 1. The button has to be held down to light, it does not have an on and off. 2. Button is too strong to hold down with lips, you must use your teeth. 3. Much too awkward and difficult, it gags you a little bit.

 

[warp3dwing]

I threw together a quick and dirty YT short on a possible shoe match: Ecco Golf LT1.

I'm very aware that IR light can mess with colors (e.g., the shoe could be all black), but this particular model seems to align in more ways that one.

Could be interesting if the guy was wearing golf shoes. Obvously, I'm not a golfer (obligatory Lebowski), so I have no idea of why one would wear a spikeless golf shoe while not golfing. Do you think this could be the shoe?

 

[fcavanaugh]

I wish I understood better the investigative techniques that are involved in tracing the e-mails that TMZ has been receiving. The consensus is that there has been use of a VPN to conceal the tracks leading back to the sender(s). I read somewhere on these threads that a VPN is often based on another continent and I am not sure if subpoenas are applicable in these cases. The whole purpose of one getting a VPN is to be untraceable online. What options do forensic technologists have here??

It can be a difficult/complex time consuming process for Law Enforcement to identify someone hiding their identity via a VPN.

A lot depends on whether the VPN provider is cooperative or uncooperative with LE. The majority of VPN providers tend to be uncooperative in which case, there are several extra steps LE has to take to force providers to cooperate. All this to say, unfortunately we could be waiting quite a bit more time for LE to track down who all is responsible for the ransom demand notes sent to the local stations and the notes sent to TMZ.

My guess is the person (and there *might* even be more than one as in, not the same person but perhaps different individuals sending the ransom note demands to local stations, and not just one but perhaps different people sending email notes to TMZ), are using an encrypted VPN, otherwise LE probably would have already figured out who all they are by now. Maybe, maybe not, as it’s only been barely 3 weeks post Nancy’s disappearance.

Whether any of these individual(s) are connected to/responsible for Nancy’s disappearance or just some opportunistic scammer(s) trying to cash in off the family’s tragedy, LE/Feds want to identify and apprehend them asap for obvious reasons. Therefore, I trust the Feds digital forensics tech professionals are working on all this behind the scenes, probably around the clock, we just aren’t hearing about it/how much progress they’ve made. Which in most cases they rarely disclose many details as to protect the integrity of the investigation. Perhaps the Feds are close to being able to identify these individuals, we just don’t know.

At any rate, below are some links (there are 3 as imo each has info that I think is informative and pertinent to the discussion) for more in depth explanation which hopefully helps answer some of your questions:

*Snipped from 1st link:

Can emails be traced by the police?​

“Law enforcement and government agencies typically have the right to request information from email service providers and internet service providers, including IP addresses, metadata and user data, which can help in tracing the origin of an email. While laws and regulations may differ across countries, the majority of them require a search warrant, court order or subpoena for such information to be released.
The police might also be able to trace anonymous emails, but this largely depends on the sender’s methods to cover their tracks. If they use a VPN and opt for a disposable email service that doesn’t require any personal information to create an account, it can be difficult for the authorities to track them down.”

**Snipped from 2nd link:

What information can the police obtain from your VPN?​

“The police can legally apply to obtain certain types of information from a VPN provider.” This includes:

• Logs of all the websites a user visited.
• Services used while connected to the VPN.
• Actual IP addresses.
• Connection logs (which provides details such as the time someone used a VPN to connect to a server).
• Billing information that shows your mailing address and banking details.

“That said, some VPN providers promote a no-logs policy, i.e., they say their service does not store any logs in order to provide a further layer of anonymity. When the provider is forced to comply with a request for access from the police, there won’t be any data to pass on. But in most cases, there is some kind of data to be found. Billing information is typically available, which is why those wishing for secrecy prefer to pay in cryptocurrency.”

“In addition, VPN providers vary in their level of cooperation. Some are happy to provide information to the police when provided with the right paperwork. Others are largely uncooperative. But even for them, enough pressure can be brought to bear that they are forced to comply.”

***Snipped from 3rd link:

Obtaining user activity logs from VPN providers:​

“Another way police may track VPN users is by obtaining user activity logs from VPN providers. While many reputable providers claim not to keep logs of user activity, some do retain certain information such as connection timestamps or bandwidth usage.”

“Once they have access to these logs, they can analyze them for evidence of illegal activity or connections between specific users and criminal organizations.”

“Finally, police may attempt to infect a suspect's device with malware in order to monitor their online activity directly.”

Playing detective: everything you’ve ever wanted to know about email tracing

Discover the ins and outs of email tracing, from spotting red flags to analyzing email headers, and take charge of your email privacy.

tresorit.com

Can VPNs Be Tracked by the Police?

VPNs are popular because they add security to fairly open Wi-Fi and public internet channels. But can VPNs be tracked by the police?

www.techrepublic.com

How Police Can Track VPN Users

Learn how IP tracking can compromise your online privacy and security. Discover tips for protecting yourself from police and other authorities.

www.browserscan.net

#FindNancy

IMHO

ETA-clarity cuz on mobile device ugh; fixed words, sentences and formatting, fixed link

 

[penguinface]

It can be a difficult/complex time consuming process for Law Enforcement to identify someone hiding their identity via a VPN.

A lot depends on whether the VPN provider is cooperative or uncooperative with LE. The majority of VPN providers tend to be uncooperative in which case, there are several extra steps LE needs to take to force providers to cooperate. All this to say, unfortunately we could be waiting quite a bit of time for LE to track down the ransom note sender(s) aka cybercriminal(s).

My guess is the criminal(s) sending the ransom note emails to TMZ are using a VPN sending encrypted emails, otherwise LE probably would have already figured out who they are by now, maybe, maybe not, as it’s only been barely 3 weeks post disappearance.

At any rate, whether the ransom note sender(s) are connected to Nancy’s disappearance or just some opportunistic scammer(s) trying to cash in, LE/Feds want to identify and apprehend them asap for obvious reasons, so I trust the Feds digital forensics tech professionals are working on this behind the scenes, probably around the clock, we just aren’t hearing about it/how much progress has been made. Which is ok, they don’t owe the public those details and rarely disclose as to protect the integrity of the investigation.

At any rate, below are some links (there are 3 as imo each has info that I think is informative and pertinent
to the discussion) for more in depth explanation that hopefully helps answer some of your questions:

*Snipped from 1st link:

Can emails be traced by the police?​

Law enforcement and government agencies typically have the right to request information from email service providers and internet service providers, including IP addresses, metadata and user data, which can help in tracing the origin of an email. While laws and regulations may differ across countries, the majority of them require a search warrant, court order or subpoena for such information to be released.
The police might also be able to trace anonymous emails, but this largely depends on the sender’s methods to cover their tracks. If they use a VPN and opt for a disposable email service that doesn’t require any personal information to create an account, it can be difficult for the authorities to track them down.
**Snipped from 2nd link:

What information can the police obtain from your VPN?​

“The police can legally apply to obtain certain types of information from a VPN provider.” This includes:

• Logs of all the websites a user visited.
• Services used while connected to the VPN.
• Actual IP addresses.
• Connection logs (which provides details such as the time someone used a VPN to connect to a server).
• Billing information that shows your mailing address and banking details.

“That said, some VPN providers promote a no-logs policy, i.e., they say their service does not store any logs in order to provide a further layer of anonymity. When the provider is forced to comply with a request for access from the police, there won’t be any data to pass on. But in most cases, there is some kind of data to be found. Billing information is typically available, which is why those wishing for secrecy prefer to pay in cryptocurrency.”

“In addition, VPN providers vary in their level of cooperation. Some are happy to provide information to the police when provided with the right paperwork. Others are largely uncooperative. But even for them, enough pressure can be brought to bear that they are forced to comply.”

***Snipped from 3rd link

What information can the police obtain from your VPN?​

“Another way police may track VPN users is by obtaining user activity logs from VPN providers. While many reputable providers claim not to keep logs of user activity, some do retain certain information such as connection timestamps or bandwidth usage.”

“Once they have access to these logs, they can analyze them for evidence of illegal activity or connections between specific users and criminal organizations.”

“Finally, police may attempt to infect a suspect's device with malware in order to monitor their online activity directly.”

Playing detective: everything you’ve ever wanted to know about email tracing

Discover the ins and outs of email tracing, from spotting red flags to analyzing email headers, and take charge of your email privacy.

tresorit.com

Can VPNs Be Tracked by the Police?

VPNs are popular because they add security to fairly open Wi-Fi and public internet channels. But can VPNs be tracked by the police?

www.techrepublic.com

How Police Can Track VPN Users

Learn how IP tracking can compromise your online privacy and security. Discover tips for protecting yourself from police and other authorities.

www.browserscan.net

IMHO

I think the messages that were sent as actual emails were the ones claiming to be from someone who knows information on the crime and perps, whereas the ones claiming to be from the kidnapper have been web messages, sent via the “Send us a message”/“Leave us a comment” form on the TMZ and KOLD websites.

JMO

 

[cherryleaf]

It's definitely NOT the flat rectangular flashlight you've shown at the top. I have one of those exact flashlights and tried holding in my mouth, three observations. 1. The button has to be held down to light, it does not have an on and off. 2. Button is too strong to hold down with lips, you must use your teeth. 3. Much too awkward and difficult, it gags you a little bit.

I have been looking at these lights. I found it interesting that there are also novelty lights like this but with a mouth guard. That’s one way he could have potentially kept this in his mouth hands free the entire time or maybe he had a little bite light but he had it secured in his mouth by elastic around his head or something. Honestly Idk. Sometimes I think I give this psycho too much credit.

 

[BigCityAccountant]

If they use a VPN and opt for a disposable email service that doesn’t require any personal information to create an account, it can be difficult for the authorities to track them down.

So, something like a 10 minute email service?

10 Minute Mail - Free Temp Mail & Temporary Email

Free temp mail and disposable email that self-destructs in 10 minutes. No signup needed. The original temp email service trusted by millions since 2006.

10minutemail.com

 

[Mistermagoo]

Founder of TMZ

And let's not forget, the former sideline reporter for The Peoples Court with Judge Wapner, lol.

 

[warp3dwing]

I have been looking at these lights. I found it interesting that there are also novelty lights like this but with a mouth guard. That’s one way he could have potentially kept this in his mouth hands free the entire time or maybe he had a little bite light but he had it secured in his mouth by elastic around his head or something. Honestly Idk. Sometimes I think I give this psycho too much credit.

I can't really tell, but it seems like this style of bitelight is more of a novelty, and I'm not sure it can light up the ground.

If someone with a Nest camera were so inclined, they should be able to determine the approximate brightness/lumens the suspect's bitelite put out. That might help narrow down which models could be a match.

 

[Tortoise]

I threw together a quick and dirty YT short on a possible shoe match: Ecco Golf LT1.

I'm very aware that IR light can mess with colors (e.g., the shoe could be all black), but this particular model seems to align in more ways that one.

Could be interesting if the guy was wearing golf shoes. Obvously, I'm not a golfer (obligatory Lebowski), so I have no idea of why one would wear a spikeless golf shoe while not golfing. Do you think this could be the shoe?

Perfecto! IMO

 

[fcavanaugh]

I think the messages that were sent as actual emails were the ones claiming to be from someone who knows information on the crime and perps, whereas the ones claiming to be from the kidnapper have been web messages, sent via the “Send us a message”/“Leave us a comment” form on the TMZ and KOLD websites.

JMO

RBBM
I don’t believe the first note sent to TMZ claimed to have all the crime details nor info on who the perp(s) are. We don’t know if the TMZ emails are from the same person. There are a lot of deranged opportunistic scammers on the interwebs. At any rate, all the more reason for the Feds to identify whomever(s) is sending the notes in case they and/or one of them really do have the info they claim to have about the crime/perp(s) as if true, could potentially lead to who’s responsible for this awful crime.

Call me skeptical but until we hear official confirmation from LE/FBI, I’m just not totally convinced yet that the ransom demand notes or emailed notes are legit nor that the individual(s) sending them are telling the truth. Nonetheless, if as I suspect they’re using an encrypted VPN, it might take considerable time for the Feds to identify the person(s)
responsible for sending them.

IMHO

ETA-clarity

 

[maskedwoman]

Absolutely.

I think I posted a million posts ago, that when my parents were Nancy’s age, they went snowmobiling on a glacier in Greenland. Then they went to Antarctica on a cruise.

But four years later, dad had a stroke that affected his mobility and mom began her terrifying descent into dementia, which has her now in memory care/hospice.

So you really cannot presume that everyone at 84 is helpless.

JMO and experience.

I'm definitely not directing this specifically at you, but this sentiment has been posted a great deal, and I felt led to say something this morning. Everyone who has posted this is 100% correct that all elders are different. I don't think posters are assuming that all elders are helpless. Savannah has described her mother as frail, in constant pain, and unable to walk more than 50 yards without help. Her friend used reaching the mailbox to collect the mail (with assistance) as being determined to live life on her own terms.

I don't think people means to assume that all elders are the same. I think they are just drawing conclusions based on how her daughter and friend have described her.

 

[FaviousM]

Perfecto! IMO

Two things don't really work for me. 1) the bit that comes up at the front (toe cap or toe bumper or whatever) seems to match the lowest material on the sole (dark in this case) whereas the model of shoe suggested as a match, the toe bumper matches the upper sole material and 2) The cost just doesn't make sense to me, you get most of your outfit from Walmart but are wearing $200 golf shoes?

 

[warp3dwing]

I've been trying to suss what's in the suspect's right pocket, and I'm wondering if it's a telescoping magnet like this one.

I've posted the following clip before, but not with the telescoping magnet concept. Focus on the strap position vs. pocket. When the suspect bends over, the strap seems to hesitate before following the pull of gravity. Could be just getting snagged on the pocket, sure. But when he straightens up again, it almost seems to be drawn back into place as if attracted by a magnet.

Not sure what on the strap could be magnetic, though, so unsure if this idea holds any water. Just thought I'd share it.