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

[FaviousM]

Or was the video image mirrored?

The Nest camera was on the left-hand side of the door which matches what we see in the video, so not mirrored

 

[Aquabot13]

I looked at the video and the finger. I’m not sure there was a pinky ring. But that’s just me. I am not at all sure the eyebrows were manicured. Some people just have beautiful brows. And some men and women have beautiful curly lashes. I do agree it could be a neighbor but it would be tough to hide Nancy. Those homes are expensive in that area. So the only reason would be ransom and that is sort of ruled out. I still believe it was a grudge of some kind.

I just revisited these pictures.

Given how tight the gloves are, I agree that there either
1. isn't a ring (if it was on his pinky I think you would see more of the band through the tight plastic gloves) or
2. there's a ring on his right ring finger and what we're seeing in the security cam footage is the top right/corner of the ring, the side of which is blocked by the pinky

I can't imagine a perp taking enough care to put on a full-body disguise and not thinking to take a ring off, especially since non-wedding rings on a man may draw attention. If this is a ring the perp wore every day, it's likely that people in his life know that about him and, even if he disposes of it or stops wearing it, people would notice that it was gone.

If we're going the ring route, though, my guesses are
- family heirloom (probably a signet ring)
- college class ring (still a signet style)
- Oura ring, specifically one that's spun to the side (would be crazy to wear an oura ring while committing a crime, IMO)
- professional ring (like Canadian engineers - not sure if other fields have this as well)

I hope LE has a better grasp on this case than we do. It all seems so strange, and poor Nancy and her family are stuck in the middle of it.

MOO/JME

 

[MrsEmmaPeel]

He did fail in his first election bid (after being appointed) due to an FBI investigation into RICO fund corruption of the dept.

He blames the FBI for that loss and nearly costing his career. He abused his power to towards other cops including Lt. Heather Lapin who ran against him in his last election, which he barely won. His own party called for his resignation and a county election investigation followed. Other officers including Sgt. A. Cross also sued him for being petty and retribution. But Nanos has the AZ political machine behind him.

The FBI has vastly more experience and resources than Pima County SD, but it's an agency that the Sheriff has had an open grudge with for years (he's yelled it from the mountain top way before this case), so that complicates the dynamic of the investigation. One can see how this conflict of interest is not in the benefit of the case.

So you've made clear repeatedly, in your opinion, Nanos is not an angel. (I'd have to read up on it myself to know the full story with sources.) As I said, all we can hope is that all LE people in this case are doing their best, in spite of politics and egos.

 

[SUNchips]

Has everybody written off both Swat raids as two mistaken raids? Two mistakes in a case that the world is watching unfold? Not likely

I definitely think there was more to the second raid. Considering there is a possible (rumored) family connection with the Range Rover driver’s girlfriend and NG, that girlfriend was arrested a few days after the SWAT raid, and the fact that the Range Rover is still in LE’s possession, I’m hopeful there’s much more happening behind the scenes involving LD.

I’d be willing to believe the first raid in Rio Rico was completely a false lead.

JMO

 

[VeronicaVaughn]

Does anyone else think it strange a legit ransom note would be sent to a news agency? Has this been done before (as an opening salvo)? I would think the kidnappers would not want the publicity and police/FBI involvement.

I'm not sure about ransom notes being sent to news agencies historically, but this article from the LA Times discusses NG's case and also touches on some historical kidnapping cases that were widely publicized:

The Nancy Guthrie ransom note was ‘carefully crafted,’ listed two deadlines, contained key details

A ransom note demanding money in exchange for the return of 'Today' show host Savannah Guthrie's mother was 'carefully crafted' and included details not previously released to the public about her apparent abduction, according to people who have read it.

www.latimes.com

 

[maskedwoman]

I thought it was strange that the attorney said his client pulled over to confront le in an unmarked car. Unless that's normal and more related to current politics, I think it's suspicious. I wish the attorney had clarified. It struck me as paranoid.

It does sound a little odd, but I was more concerned about them allegedly not responding when he asked for an attorney, and the accusations his attorney was making about illegal seizure. I also noted that his attorney sounded very reasonable when he described things he took issue with, without any of the normal dramatics and bombast that defense attorneys often revert to. MOO

 

[SMK777]

Does anyone else think it strange a legit ransom note would be sent to a news agency? Has this been done before (as an opening salvo)? I would think the kidnappers would not want the publicity and police/FBI involvement.

The only thing I could think of is that they broke from traditional protocol because this is the age of social media and online presence.

They wanted to maximize presence and urgency, plus capitalize on the fame of Savannah.

Trying to control through media vs FBI?

Hard to understand, though.

 

[Moonchime]

If there was forced entry in this case it was almost certainly not through that front door if it was locked imo.

Security door shows a lockable handle and deadbolt and I'd be willing to bet the interior one had both as well.

I don't think he ever intended to go in the front door. He seemed to have a mission of getting that doorbell off its bracket. Let's hope the FBI was able to obtain more video footage of him.

 

[submarine7]

It does sound a little odd, but I was more concerned about them allegedly not responding when he asked for an attorney, and the accusations his attorney was making about illegal seizure. I also noted that his attorney sounded very reasonable when he described things he took issue with, without any of the normal dramatics and bombast that defense attorneys often revert to. MOO

I agree and am very interested in seeing the Affidavit and some body cam footage down the road. It doesn't sound like they ever took him to an interrogation room. All so strange.

 

[ab01]

I don't think he ever intended to go in the front door. He seemed to have a mission of getting that doorbell off its bracket. Let's hope the FBI was able to obtain more video footage of him.

I’ve thought of this as well.

Others are certain bc of the perps movement etc he was unfamiliar with the home. I’m not sure i can make that definitive assumption.

I wouldn’t be surprised if he thought the nest wouldn’t pick him up in the dark with his dark clothing, until after he was close enough to have the lense already blocked.

When he walks up on the porch the light around the button on the nest illuminated and may have startled him. Hence why he grabbed the plant.

I think his intention was to remove the nest so as not to record later activities. moo

 

[TIGER0822]

I’ve thought of this as well.

Others are certain bc of the perps movement etc he was unfamiliar with the home.

I wouldn’t be surprised if he thought the nest wouldn’t pick him up in the dark with his dark clothing, until after he was close enough to have the lense blocked.

When he walks up the light around the button on the nest illuminated and startled him. Hence why he grabbed the plant.

I think his intention was to remove the nest so as not to record later activities. moo

This perp. appears relaxed. Confident. He is not rushing or tense. To me it is bizarre.

 

[comfyshoe]

Yeah, Sheriff's office tweeted basically asking people not to search.

https://twitter.com/x/status/2025323079778628034

I don't know if I agree... I don't think they should be searching directly at Nancy's or on the private property of her neighbors' (or private property in general.) But I could see it being helpful if they could search some of the nearby desert, as long as they can do so safely and carefully. It is very easy to miss things in the desert, and more eyes could be useful. Sadly I wouldn't be surprised if the perp dumped her in the surrounding desert somewhere.

Ah thank you for this. I missed that, and like you, I do feel it would have been more beneficial than not to have a wider search area away from the immediate vicinity of house. I have to keep reminding myself that we don't know everything that LE do know right now.

 

[stmichael]

So you've made clear repeatedly, in your opinion, Nanos is not an angel. (I'd have to read up on it myself to know the full story with sources.) As I said, all we can hope is that all LE people in this case are doing their best, in spite of politics and egos.

My opinion is not that Nanos is not an angel or he is an angel. I don't see it that way. I've seen many agencies butt heads and have p8ssng contests, it's basically a cliche. The rank and file are trying to do their best, but they have expressed frustration from "leadership" and I have seen this first hand before.

My observations after reading the many local articles chronicling the department issues, investigations, as well as reading the lawsuits and interviews of former Pima County detectives and deputies gave me an informed picture of this dynamic. As well as the vast inexperience of the current department, which these experienced former detectives think is effecting the case.

Now my opinion is that Nanos is an egotist and petty person, based on the interviews and info in the lawsuits, but that is separate from the bigger picture here. And that is why we are getting FBI leaks to this dynamic and hit pieces (coming from FBI sources) and the FBI desperate to take over.

I was clarifying and responding to specific points you brought up (FBI, Nanos is worrying about failing as an elected official...pointing out he did fail once already).

 

[SMK777]

the fact that the Range Rover is still in LE’s possession, I’m hopeful there’s much more happening behind the scenes involving LD.

Snipped by me for emphasis:

Do we know with certainty that the Range Rover is still in police possession?

 

[GlobeFireCandle]

They might know a lot more than we think and not want people to waste their time searching

 

[stmichael]

Does anyone else think it strange a legit ransom note would be sent to a news agency? Has this been done before (as an opening salvo)? I would think the kidnappers would not want the publicity and police/FBI involvement.

Yes a lot of people do. Highly atypical. Probably dozens of interviews with former FBI, DEA, Police and profilers have brought this up.

If the kidnapper wanted money as the ultimate goal, there were cleaner, quicker, and more direct ways to go about this, which is why many think there may be more to it or it is a scam as often comes up in these national cases (the famous Lindbergh baby case in 1932 had 5 fake ransoms). Any seasoned criminal would not want to drag this out (especially w/ a medically compromised 84 year old) and the nuclear heat it now has.

 

[SMK777]

Snipped by me for emphasis:

Do we know with certainty that the Range Rover is still in police possession?

Bringing my own post forward to answer my own question:

MSN

 

[shonyakay]

Does anyone else think it strange a legit ransom note would be sent to a news agency? Has this been done before (as an opening salvo)? I would think the kidnappers would not want the publicity and police/FBI involvement.

It hasn't been confirmed (at least to the public) that the first ransom note sent to two Arizona news stations on Monday evening and then sent to TMZ the next day are legitimately associated with the taking of Nancy.

I think there is a good chance that the first note is legit because of the FBI's response to it. That first note said there would be no more contact.

As far as why he would send them to the media?

Possibly to help ensure the ransom demanded was fulfilled or possibly because notoriety is what the perp was after. Maybe both. Just my take.

 

[submarine7]

My opinion is not that Nanos is not an angel or he isn't an angel. I don't see it that way. I've seen many agencies butt heads and have p8ssng contests, it's basically a cliche. The rank and file are trying to do their best, but they have expressed frustration from "leadership" and I have seen this first hand before.

My observations after reading the many local articles chronicling the department issues, investigations, as well as reading the lawsuits and interviews of former Pima County detectives and deputies gave me an informed picture of this dynamic. As well as the vast inexperience of the current department, which these experienced former detectives think is effecting the case.

Now my opinion is that Nanos is an egotist and petty person, based on the interviews and info in the lawsuits, but that is separate from the bigger picture here. And that is why we are getting FBI leaks to this dynamic and hit pieces (coming from FBI sources) and the FBI desperate to take over.

I was clarifying and responding to specific points you brought up (FBI, Nanos is worrying about failing as an elected official...pointing out he did fail once already).

Clearly, there's local issues. I think we're getting so much of this because it's what the people want and the news agencies are opposed to Nanos' politics so there's a personal attack and they are pitting the agencies against each other because it suits their agenda. There may have been some friction but both agencies have jurisdiction. This seems like exaggeration and misinformation. JMO

 

[TIGER0822]

Ah thank you for this. I missed that, and like you, I do feel it would have been more beneficial than not to have a wider search area away from the immediate vicinity of house. I have to keep reminding myself that we don't know everything that LE do know right now.

Thie was a new memo. Makes me wonder what is behind it.