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

[mrjitty]

Thanks for the great photos. What I find interesting about them is that it can be determined exactly where the offender stood on that welcome mat, based on the small B/W image. Would there be anything to find there? I have no idea, but to leave the mat and not even keep the crime scene tape up just shows carelessness on the part of PCSD.

Unfortunately, with all of their internal conflicts, they are the lead in this investigation.

I think we have to be a bit realistic here. In most cases, police run forensics, then hand the property back. In all the murder and missing persons cases I have followed, crime scenes are not maintained as sealed off crime scenes for any length of time. It's simply not practical, and often people live in those places.

Also, I've seen in multiple cases that forensics have returned to a scene and recovered evidence. It happens. But I don't think we can blame LE for this. Mostly scenes are photographed and sampled. They don't usually take away the contents unless it's something quite specific.

IMO

 

[Scooby-Doo]

Thanks for the great photos. What I find interesting about them is that it can be determined exactly where the offender stood on that welcome mat, based on the small B/W image. Would there be anything to find there? I have no idea, but to leave the mat and not even keep the crime scene tape up just shows carelessness on the part of PCSD.

Unfortunately, with all of their internal conflicts, they are the lead in this investigation.

Having a bite light in your mouth could also produce some saliva drops from the offender while he's standing there on the mat,

as well as picking up fauna, dirt, and maybe a type of shoe print

Which could help to learn if he were walking cross-country or a nicely clean sole getting out of a vehicle

 

[Gunther Toody]

I think we have to be a bit realistic here. In most cases, police run forensics, then hand the property back. In all the murder and missing persons cases I have followed, crime scenes are not maintained as sealed off crime scenes for any length of time. It's simply not practical, and often people live in those places.

Also, I've seen in multiple cases that forensics have returned to a scene and recovered evidence. It happens. But I don't think we can blame LE for this. Mostly scenes are photographed and sampled. They don't usually take away the contents unless it's something quite specific.

IMO

One of the key issues in this case, as another poster pointed out is the fact that the sheriff demoted or transferred all the experienced investigators in his department to other jobs, such as patrol. I don't recall the reason but there was conflict. These investigators were replaced with newer less experienced investigators.

The crime scene tape came down the next day if I recall, and the media were allowed to walk all over the scene unabated. Even up to the front door.
That contaminated the blood spatter, the door mat and the entire area with their own cast off DNA. Consequently, there was no going back for more samples, analysis or evidence seeking.

I think this is a common problem in departments that do not see a lot of high profile crime and investigation and they get in over their head very quickly.

Edited to add: As someone pointed out earlier, it appears the offender may have come from the right side...toward the driveway, but there is dirt, and gravel there as far as I can tell...which tells me there was likely footprints. I do not recall reading anything about searching for footprints in that area, and with the rapid release of the crime scene...surely they would have been walked over in short order.

 

[Jade]

The problem,as I see it, is he is doing a sloppy job bordering on incompetence.

I am not looking at it politically---I have no idea what his politics are. I'm looking solely at his actions.

I liked him at first for giving lots of pressers with lots of info. But we soon learned that much of the timeline he was detailing was just off the cuff, not accurate at all...and later when people began asking about it, he was complaining that people were 'hanging on his every word' and holding him accountable for those details. It annoyed him apparently.

Then he released the crime scene to the family unusually fast. It surprised people. But it wasn't that surprising when the yellow tape went up a couple of more times for retesting and further investigation. Problem is, any further evidence from tests done at that time would likely be rejected by the court because the scene was not secured. Sloppy decision making, imo

I haven't seen any criticism of the hard working officers or deputies. Maybe I've missed it?

The public criticism seems to be focused upon the inconsistencies in Sheriff Nano's statements---i.e.-- 'no one has been cleared'---'the family has been cooperative and been now been cleared'--- to 'the family was cleared within the first days of the investigation...'

He trips over his own conflicting statements and it is frustrating ....imo



I haven't seen a lot of successes so far.

Just now he is saying that he and only he is making any decisions at all in this investigation. He is not that experienced with these kinds of high profile cases. I would think he would be happy to have help from other agencies.

I appreciate your time responding.

The negative appraisals of leadership encompasses his staff as they work at his behalf as his employees.

Further the comments quoted in articles on this thread are of those who say directly he has assembled a staff not of their liking.

The Sheriff has denied, in quoted words in linked articles on this thread, that he is not working with the FBI; he says they are working together.

Disgruntled unknown sources aren’t anything but gossip meant to undermine the SO.

All imo

 

[mickey2942]

One of the key issues in this case, as another poster pointed out is the fact that the sheriff demoted or transferred all the experienced investigators in his department to other jobs, such as patrol. I don't recall the reason but there was conflict. These investigators were replaced with newer less experienced investigators.

The crime scene tape came down the next day if I recall, and the media were allowed to walk all over the scene unabated. Even up to the front door.
That contaminated the blood spatter, the door mat and the entire area with their own cast off DNA. Consequently, there was no going back for more samples, analysis or evidence seeking.

I think this is a common problem in departments that do not see a lot of high profile crime and investigation and they get in over their head very quickly.

Reminiscent of the "Jon Benet Ramsey" case?

 

[SMK777]

Arizona couple found blood-spotted glove, rock with blood on it in desert mile from Nancy Guthrie’s home

Arizona couple found blood-spotted glove, rock with blood on it in desert mile from Nancy Guthrie’s home: report

The pair reported the sighting to authorities, concerned it might be related to the investigation into the purported kidnapping of 84-year-old Guthrie, the mother of NBC “Today” host Sa…

nypost.com

 

[Gunther Toody]

Reminiscent of the "Jon Benet Ramsey" case?

Yep, Steve Thomas quit in disgust and Lou Smit brought in out of retirement and created the whole basement window narrative.

 

[Cassie P]

DNA tests for ancestry or genealogy are actually banned in France.

Yes I don't see matches from people living in France.

 

[girlhasnoname]

I haven't lost interest, there's just not much more to say at this point.

I am still holding out my sincerest hope that somehow Nancy is okay and will be reunited with her loved ones. Please let this be the case for this dear woman.

 

[Elley Mae]

Arizona couple found blood-spotted glove, rock with blood on it in desert mile from Nancy Guthrie’s home: report

Arizona couple found blood-spotted glove, rock with blood on it in desert mile from Nancy Guthrie’s home: report

The pair reported the sighting to authorities, concerned it might be related to the investigation into the purported kidnapping of 84-year-old Guthrie, the mother of NBC “Today” host Sa…

nypost.com

 

[Napoli]

Respectfully, 40,000 to 50,000 leads have come in as of 3 days ago. We don't know what they are and how many are credible. But there are leads. Let's hope one or more pans out soon.

I'll say it again: This case is far from cold.

No match in database for DNA evidence on gloves found 2 miles from home

What is a cold case? What Is a Cold Case and How Are They Solved?

As I have seen in lots of cold cases, years later, it is seen in a file that someone DID call in a name or substantial tip that wasnt followed. 40 to 50 thousand tips called in as stated above. Which ones were followed? Which ones were just entered in some data dump sheet somewhere? What's the criteria for following one tip vs another? Tired of the NANOS bashing. He might not be the most articulate, movie star face of Pima county sheriff, people want but he isnt working in a vacuum. Reams of pages criticizing him is not productive, IMO.

They cant follow 1000s of leads akin to saying HEY, Lantana man looks like my brother in law's neighbor Joe in Idaho. Who decides? Who rejects? IMO, the clue has already been called in and brushed aside . JMO

 

[joe jones]

3 weeks in and LE appear to be no nearer to finding NG or who took her, there has been very little actual factual evidence released, all we know is a masked intruder is seen on a camera at her front door, he is dressed in a way to conceal his identity, at some point another camera or sensor is triggered, we do not know whether it is inside or outside, or where it is situated on her property, we do not know which door he went in, or how he got in, we do know at some point NG was moved away from her phone so that her pacemaker was not sending signals to the monitor, we do know according to LE the scene caused enough concern that it was considered a crime scene and homicide was called in, at some point NG was outside her front door on her porch bleeding, at some point she moved/was moved down her front path to the steps where the black railing is, the blood does not continue to the road, the trail stops halfway down front path from what I see, there had to have been some type of vehicle to transport her away, we have zero information about vehicle, there is DNA from somebody unknown to NG in the home, how important/relevant that is we do not know until LE tell us,

I only hope LE have more evidence than they have released,

 

[VeronicaVaughn]

Sorry to ask again, but I didn't see a response with a yes or no...

Are we allowed to discuss NG's (public) property records and has that already been brought up here? TIA

 

[joe jones]

Sorry to ask again, but I didn't see a response with a yes or no...

Are we allowed to discuss NG's (public) property records and has that already been brought up here? TIA

i don't see why not if its in the public domain

 

[Katrinepa]

It's an elected, political office. The sheriffs position was achieved through public vote.

Do they not understand that it is the Sheriff’s prerogative to assemble a supportive team which those are obviously not.

Many in LE are entrenched I get it they need a job but to criticize other sworn officers on the job because they have less time is hollow.

These young folks can be brilliant computer whizzes, newly trained in the newest technology and procedures and in my community at least are recently out of active service with an energy and focus beyond the old guys.

More than anything it’s not the time to be back biting the Sheriff, imo.


All imo

As long as he gets the job done. He has made many mistakes, said things, then walked back. He is not experienced in these kind of cases, and I wish he would welcome assistance. Politics should be put aside, and focus put on solving this crime. People who live live there are going to be frustrated, and want to blame 'someone', so those at the top will take the heat. Normal behavior under stress.

 

[VeronicaVaughn]

i don't see why not if its in the public domain

DBM

 

[Ellis' Mom]

Sorry to ask again, but I didn't see a response with a yes or no...

Are we allowed to discuss NG's (public) property records and has that already been brought up here? TIA

The public PIMA county GIS property data has been posted here, so I would think discussion of that is allowed.

 

[aafromaa]

Arizona couple found blood-spotted glove, rock with blood on it in desert mile from Nancy Guthrie’s home: report

Arizona couple found blood-spotted glove, rock with blood on it in desert mile from Nancy Guthrie’s home: report

The pair reported the sighting to authorities, concerned it might be related to the investigation into the purported kidnapping of 84-year-old Guthrie, the mother of NBC “Today” host Sa…

nypost.com

MOO Gosh, as with most things in this case my mind goes in two different directions regarding this info. On the one hand, I don’t know whether these gloves are the same kind as the one they say matched the kind the perp was wearing or the others they found that were different. And there seems to be an abundance of gloves found in the area so it’s a stretch for me to think these were discarded by the perp(s). And even if blood on them doesn’t seem that suspicious to me - could be someone had a flat and wore them to change a tire and injured their own hand while doing so and then peeled them off and left them there. On the other hand, whether they are determined to match the gloves shown on the video or not, some have suggested the perp wore 2 pair of gloves - if so how do we know whether the inside pair was the same as the ones shown? And if that is blood on them, could it be NG’s? But even if it’s not, it could still be that they belonged to the perp(s) and the blood could be from an injury they may have sustained at some point after the video. And what are the odds that gloves with blood on them would be found within a mile of NG’s after she was taken? And if they are connected why were they discarded there? I don’t subscribe to the theory that the perp removed their glove(s) while driving down the road and tossed them out the window. I think a grid search should be made in the area to rule out the possibility that the perp may have stopped along the roadside for some reason - perhaps met up with someone there and transferred NG to a different vehicle and maybe more evidence can be found in the immediate area. I don’t like thinking of this possibility but perhaps NG’s body was removed from the vehicle and discarded or perhaps hastily buried in that area.

IMHO I can see these gloves having absolutely nothing to do with this case and I can see them leading to some answers or possibly the perps or possibly NG. I hope LE is looking into all possibilities and will be watching to see if any info is released on what they deteremine.

 

[Katrinepa]

3 weeks in and LE appear to be no nearer to finding NG or who took her, there has been very little actual factual evidence released, all we know is a masked intruder is seen on a camera at her front door, he is dressed in a way to conceal his identity, at some point another camera or sensor is triggered, we do not know whether it is inside or outside, or where it is situated on her property, we do not know which door he went in, or how he got in, we do know at some point NG was moved away from her phone so that her pacemaker was not sending signals to the monitor, we do know according to LE the scene caused enough concern that it was considered a crime scene and homicide was called in, at some point NG was outside her front door on her porch bleeding, at some point she moved/was moved down her front path to the steps where the black railing is, the blood does not continue to the road, the trail stops halfway down front path from what I see, there had to have been some type of vehicle to transport her away, we have zero information about vehicle, there is DNA from somebody unknown to NG in the home, how important/relevant that is we do not know until LE tell us,

I only hope LE have more evidence than they have released,

Thank you! I ask because I found it interesting that NG's property taxes for the second half of the year are past due - as of November 2025. The property says it is in the name of NG (Revocable) Trust.

This is public information that can be found on the Pima County Treasurer's Office.

It probably has nothing to do with the case, but why would it be left in arrears?

View attachment 647202

Plenty homeowners pay late. I don't see how this would be connected.

 

[H73]

Thank you! I ask because I found it interesting that NG's property taxes for the second half of the year are past due - as of November 2025. The property says it is in the name of NG (Revocable) Trust.

This is public information that can be found on the Pima County Treasurer's Office.

It probably has nothing to do with the case, but why would it be left in arrears?

View attachment 647202

Not late , check the due dates