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

[Angleterre]

Hey folks,

Websleuths is primarily LE friendly. Each case is different and it's not always an easy job. In any case there may be issues, but this discussion is not the "Lets Bash the Sheriff" thread. It is a thread dedicated to discussion of Nancy's case and not a chit chat place for people to vent their dislike of LE. That is in no way productive or helpful.

If all you can think of in this discussion is to bash the Sheriff, perhaps there are other threads where your energy and input might be more productive.

Maybe pop into the Missing forum and find a thread that you might be interested in or helpful even, maybe just to add a note of encouragement to family members to let them know they and their loved one are not forgotten. Or if whatever you have to say is off topic, head on over to the Give Us This Day Our Daily Thread where members talk about all sorts of things.

This terrible case is obviously a very difficult one. Please let's just stay on board with trying to figure out what happened to Nancy.

Thanks.

Well said @Sillybilly

 

[flakesofsnow]

Why would the person writing the ransom note think it was important to say what NG was wearing that night? Is the note referring to what she wore earlier when NG was out or what she wore to bed.
“Nanos told CBS News that the news station agreed not to report on the note. He said it contained details about Nancy’s home and what she was wearing that night, but he did not confirm whether those details were accurate or whether the note was legitimate, CBS News reported.”

 

[SpideySense]

My heart sank hearing about the challenges with the DNA inside the house... About it being degraded/not viable for being entered into Codis.

What’s this now? Nanos said back on 2/17 that the DNA from inside the house had been analyzed and 1) didn’t match the DNA found in the glove, and 2) didn’t match any profile in CODIS. So it was already entered into CODIS.

Is there possibly some confusion about the DNA not being currently viable for entry into genealogical databases as opposed to CODIS?

 

[Turkeytrot]

What’s this now? Nanos said back on 2/17 that the DNA from inside the house had been analyzed and 1) didn’t match the DNA found in the glove, and 2) didn’t match any profile in CODIS. So it was already entered into CODIS.

Is there possibly some confusion about the DNA not being currently viable for entry into genealogical databases as opposed to CODIS?
View attachment 648214

This is what I've been seeing reported, going to snip and link article

"The DNA sample found in Nancy Guthrie's home is reportedly unable to be entered into CODIS.

"The DNA found inside Nancy Guthrie’s home was only a partial sample and was not viable for CODIS, a source familiar with the investigation tells me," wrote NewsNation's Libbey Dean via X on Tuesday, Feb. 24."

DNA from Nancy Guthrie Investigation Can’t Be Entered Into CODIS, Sources Say - AOL DNA from Nancy Guthrie Investigation Can’t Be Entered Into CODIS, Sources Say

 

[SpideySense]

This is what I've been seeing reported, going to snip and link article

"The DNA sample found in Nancy Guthrie's home is reportedly unable to be entered into CODIS.

"The DNA found inside Nancy Guthrie’s home was only a partial sample and was not viable for CODIS, a source familiar with the investigation tells me," wrote NewsNation's Libbey Dean via X on Tuesday, Feb. 24."

DNA from Nancy Guthrie Investigation Can’t Be Entered Into CODIS, Sources Say - AOL DNA from Nancy Guthrie Investigation Can’t Be Entered Into CODIS, Sources Say

Yes, I’ve seen those reports now too. I’m thinking either something was lost in translation between the leakers and the reporter where the leakers meant the genealogical databases and the reporter thought CODIS, or the “no match” for CODIS that Nanos reported on the 17th re the house DNA was real but perhaps based on bare minimum fragments that the FBI doesn’t believe resulted in a true “no match,” or there were two samples of DNA collected from the house on different days (I seem to recall Nanos mentioning “additional DNA” found at the house) and the first sample was substantial enough to run through CODIS and compare with family and the glove DNA but the later sample is the “mixed” one and is more problematic. Clear as mud.

 

[Warshawski]

View attachment 648049
Ok. I am just going to say it. Why does he wear his gun like it's his male appendage in a sack? That's just not any kind of gun carrying mode I have ever seen. What's he hiding or flaunting? JMO

I’ve looked at these pictures until I’m almost cross eyed ! … certainly an interesting / not the usual position for a gun / holster imo. .. also imo it just looks weird.

Perp is holding with Left hand in this pic but I don’t think gun ( if it is one) is placed in the holster for a L hand draw. I think it’s placed for a R hand draw.

Maybe ‘he’ pulled the lantana with L hand to ensure the R hand was free & ready at all times.

It’s also struck me how the perp approaches / into the entry with head down as if in a hiding position - but then is prepared to be straight on to camera in attempts to cover & disable it.

Seems odd to me. Were they hiding from possible recognition from street ?

Also ( because I’ve gone cross-eyed) would someone please check the pics of with & without back pack, at entry to the porch … please have a look at the white rocks or pots or whatever they are between path and the bigger Black thingy.

Are they different ? ?

(Feel free to tell me it’s time I gave up & went to sleep !)

 

[Indoorsy]

Is it possible he was testing whether or not the camera would trigger a response, No police

So impressed with SG's video as I watched it a second time. For a national media personality to show that kind of vulnerability, that kind of raw grief and anxiety, that kind of conscientiousness, that kind of consideration, that kind of self-awareness, and that kind of humility, speaks volumes about the kind of mother that raised her.

JMO.

I have not heard or read anything about whether the home had an alarm system.

I do know that homes with alarm systems often have a control panel, where you set/arm the system or disarm the system, near the door that leads into the garage. There is often another control panel somewhere in the house. Depending on the location of the control panel, a person outside of the house could determine whether the alarm system was armed/on (red light) or off (green light) simply by looking in a window or glass door. Therefore, a person standing outside of a house equipped with an alarm system could possibly see the status of the alarm system.

My home has a few similarities to Nancy's, so had to go check this out and yep, you can see two of our alarm panels from two different vantage points outside without much difficulty..scary.. Of course, we have no idea if she had an alarm system, etc. but logically you would think so and it makes sense that the perp was testing the security or lack of prior to the night of the abduction.

 

[Warshawski]

The ransom notes were sent via encrypted email through the media portals, so internet was used. So IMO, ransom notes are FED jurisdiction.

JMO

I wonder if they know who’s behind these but since not involved in NG’s disappearance they’re holding off on that arrest ?

Not sure why they’d do that, but I’m also a bit puzzled that they can’t get this information. Skilled tech / www people can track everything …

 

[No it's not]

And then there are the “other”, the folks who get wrongly accused and now fear for themselves. Deep pitfall here..
This article from the NYT is still accessible this morning. Just a read, not a discussion please.

Online Accusations in Guthrie Abduction Leave One Family ‘Scared Numb’

A fifth-grade teacher and his principal wife hid in their bedroom as dozens of people who believed he might be a kidnapper appeared on their suburban street.

www.nytimes.com

-Nin

 

[Warshawski]

I find it hard to believe no one else knows where Nancy Guthrie is or who took her. Someone out there knows something. Either someone who saw something suspicious and has a hunch or noticed someone acting differently immediately after. Or if she is still alive, I doubt she's being held in a log cabin in the middle of the woods. If she's alive, it's not easy to care for an elderly woman by yourself for almost a month.

Also if this individual came by the home previously and left when they noticed the camera, it suggests:

-They didn't have intimate knowledge of this home before and didn't know that the subscription for the camera wasn't active.
-The home wasn't random, it was specifically targeted.
-I think most people felt this way from day one, but to me lessens the chances it was a robbery gone wrong. If you're scared of a camera, you'd just move on to the next home to target. He came back to that specific house for a reason.

In Aus there’s just been very sad news confirmed in the search for a grandfather who was kidnapped in Sydney on 13th Feb., in a case of mistaken identity

Maybe this with NG was a similar situation, maybe they meant to grab someone else, then realised their mistake.

The thing that stops me with that is the suggested 40 mins that perp/s were in the house. …. so was it a planned burglary, but when they realised who she was they thought they’d try the ransom angle - but then she had a turn and passed so that angle was missed too .

But if it was a burglary, why haven’t there been alerts for things taken ?

It’s just so ridiculous that the lowest of life, as are those involved in something like this, can defy the greatest detective brains in the US !

JMO

 

[SMK777]

Why would the person writing the ransom note think it was important to say what NG was wearing that night? Is the note referring to what she wore earlier when NG was out or what she wore to bed.
“Nanos told CBS News that the news station agreed not to report on the note. He said it contained details about Nancy’s home and what she was wearing that night, but he did not confirm whether those details were accurate or whether the note was legitimate, CBS News reported.”

Because of the hour, you would assume it would be night clothes.

Was it to prove they had really been there? As in, her family would know what night clothes she usually wore?

 

[Onlyguessing23]

…(snipped for focus)…

Also ( because I’ve gone cross-eyed) would someone please check the pics of with & without back pack, at entry to the porch … please have a look at the white rocks or pots or whatever they are between path and the bigger Black thingy.

Are they different ? ?

(Feel free to tell me it’s time I gave up & went to sleep !)

(RSBM)
This was mentioned earlier in this thread by another poster. @chaz

Amazingly observant, both of you!

ETA:
Post 34,312. I’m having trouble linking here. Sorry.

 

[Cassie P]

Almost like a pregnant belly.

Yes interesting theory isn't it?

Two perps. One male, one female.
Both young.

NG might open the door to a young woman pretending to be pregnant and in distress. Once NG comes to the door, young male hits her hard in the face.
They both drag her to the car.

Male is young, full of bravado, intimidation.
We see that by the phallic placement of a weapon.

 

[Warshawski]

That's what women were told to think. Sexual violence (RAPE) is about SEX. Rape is about power, control, proving masculinity, acting out ones fantasies and entitlement. Pedophilia is about sex with kids. Violent sex is about the perps preference for dominance in the sex act. SEX FIRST ( what arouses the perp) then throw in the variables. Sex slave, little girl, little boy, elder woman. etc. It often becomes violent because the victim naturally resists. jmo moo

IMO the most Degrading, Dominant and Powerful act that can be committed against a woman is Rape - it’s a forceful invasion of her very being.

I’m not denying the sickos that get off on that Power, but I question whether the sex is the actual driver.

 

[RubbleDog]

LE/DA's will sometimes give deals to those who give it up first, but I don't think it would be the money. Maybe a reduction in sentencing or something, especially if they were not actively a participant in the actual crime.

JMO

Theholly Bobo case is a good example of that.

 

[RubbleDog]

My heart goes out to Savannahs family. I’m curious why she said UP to a million dollars. If I knew something and was too scared to tell, that would still scare me. Do I get a million to leave town or a smaller amount. I think it’s confusing

Maybe if multiple people deserve payouts they gotta split it.

 

[Warshawski]

Long time reader, but I had to register to share some theories I haven’t seen much here or anywhere else online.

These deal with two main issues: cameras and the timeline (40+ minutes). IMO major possibilities are being overlooked in both cases. When something doesn’t make sense, that usually means we just haven’t found the right explanation yet. IMO the explanation I will offer below makes a lot of seemingly confusing data points fit perfectly.

This is all just my opinion based on things we have heard.

Topic #1: Cameras

First, cameras: IMO this guy WANTED to be seen. In fact, it was a key part of his strategy. Both times, but especially the first time he showed up. As someone who has these types of cameras as part of my home security system and understands them extremely well, it actually makes perfect sense that he would want to trigger them AND appear in the image.

Think of a camera as an early warning system as much as it is a camera. Some people silence them all night and rely on them to provide retroactive evidence of a crime. Others want the alerts to wake them up so they have early warning of danger. Some do both. That makes all the difference in this crime.

One of the underappreciated aspects of Blink, Nest, Ring, and the like is that in addition to being cameras and microphones, they also act as perimeter annunciators. What I mean by that is that it is practically impossible to disable them without first triggering them, which sends an immediate alert to someone’s phone (sometimes multiple people’s phones, depending on the setup). You can rip the camera off the wall and destroy it but it’s already too late: it has served its purpose and alerted the owner, who is possibly now awake and taking any number of actions. The criminal’s element of surprise is gone and their presence is known. That is, unless the homeowner silences alerts at night and just checks in the morning (as most people do because they don’t want to wake up every time a cat walks across their porch in the middle of the night).

In this scenario, he didn’t care about being filmed per se. He’s well disguised anyway and likely assumes he will be filmed somewhere by a camera he missed. IMO his concern was 100% about whether the alerts would wake Nancy up before he got inside and spoil his plan.

He needed the element of surprise. An 84 year old woman is definitely going to dial 911 if she is awakened by a break- in in progress. Even if he gets her out before police arrive, the police are now aware of a break-in/kidnapping in progress and will be swarming the entire neighborhood. The criminal might even drive past a responding officer, who will afterwards recall seeing the vehicle leaving the neighborhood as they responded. They might even call it in and have another officer stop that vehicle in case it is the perp. Risk goes way, way up if Nancy wakes up at any point before he gets inside and can stop her from calling 911.

Let’s assume this new timeline of photos is correct: he was there beforehand, likely an earlier date. I have thought since the photos first emerged that they must have been taken on different nights. Most people have focused on the shoes, lack of backpack, lack of holster… but the first thing I noticed was the distinct lack of a shadow (his shadow is clearly visible on the night he wore the backpack and holster, but absent in the photo where he is not wearing them).

This suggests a pitch black night in the earlier timeframe photo, perfect for recon. He wears his same gear that he’ll wear later because he is doing a dry run and wants it to feel as much like the real thing as possible, and he also does not want to be identified. He also wants to appear as menacing as possible for the camera as mentioned above.

He has to know what to expect, if anything, when the camera is triggered. And he would understand that triggering it is unavoidable.

Even if the criminal has a wifi jammer most systems will then alert the owner that all the modules are down. So they’re now awake at a minimum and likely to notice sounds outside or even to look out the windows to investigate, because that is suspicious.

These alerts could very well be loud and wake the person up. The person might then turn lights on in the house, go to live view to see what is going on, or dial 911 or text a family member depending on the circumstances. Or grab a firearm that they have for protection. Maybe all of the above. The criminal has no idea what is going on, if anything at all. Almost all of these systems will send an immediate thumbnail before recording so that even if the camera is disabled before the video is uploaded to the cloud you have an image of whatever set it off on your phone.

IMO this guy is almost posing for the camera on the earlier date. He needs to find out: what happens if the camera alerts AND the image in the thumbnail or on the phone is of a terrifying man in a mask and gloves? Notice he stands far enough away that you can see he looks terrifying but can’t make out much in terms of ID. It’s no good if it alerts and the image is some strange blur or nothing at all, because those of us who have these cameras see that stuff all the time. Cats, rabbits, the wind.. All cause triggers. You’re not raising the alarm so to speak, for every single time it notifies you of motion.

He needs the person inside to see a central casting bad guy so that they will react however they are going to react. That reaction will then be taken into account in whatever plans he has for the actual night of the kidnapping. Thus the need for a 2-part plan.

Now imagine you are 84. Your phone alerts and wakes you up in the middle of the night. You see THAT on your screen. You are almost certainly going to react. You likely dial 911. You turn on lights in the house because you are definitely not going to want to sit in the dark until cops come. You text or call family or neighbors for help right after 911. In short, ruckus ensues.

Or maybe your family also gets the alerts. It’s not yet 2AM on a Saturday. It’s not impossible that someone else also gets the alert who is actually still awake, watching TV, playing video games, whatever. They see that nightmare on grandma’s front door, or mom’s front door. Obviously action will be taken of some type.

So he poses to ensure that he has triggered the camera, then quickly retreats down the street into the brush somewhere to hide. Do lights come on? Do police arrive? Does a dog bark? Is there any activity at all?

Hmm, nothing. Nothing happens at all he notices. So he slinks away into the darkness, confident that the cameras are no real threat. The biggest threat of the cameras is that they wake Nancy up before he can get inside, meaning 911 is called.

So he waits a couple weeks and watches off and on. Are more visible security measures taken? Do new cameras appear?

Now, here’s the thing: he is likely feeling better in terms of not alerting anyone inside based on previous recon. But that could be a one-off. Maybe she silenced her phone that night but not this one. So he needs a quick repeat on the night of.

This is where the timeline comes in.

Topic #2: Timeline on the Night of the Kidnapping

I do not believe at all that he was inside the house for 40+ minutes as we keep hearing almost everywhere. That makes zero sense for a kidnapping, where every moment spent at the scene in contact with the victim= increased risk.

In this scenario I have described he returns a couple of weeks later, fairly confident that the cameras pose no real threat. He likely now assumes Nancy has her phone on silent so that every time a cat or other animal walks by at night she doesn’t wake up.

However, he has to make sure, just in case she woke up the next morning (from the earlier recon) and saw that image and NOW takes more security steps, such as having her alerts on loud enough to wake her up. Maybe a neighbor or someone else is also now getting them as a backup. He doesn’t know, so he goes up to the porch, knowing the camera will activate. Of course he ducks his head just in case (why over expose himself to being filmed?).

This is a test… What will happen?

The lantana also serves a purpose: it looks even more scary/wrong. If anyone is seeing someone do that they are raising the alarm 100% for sure. It escalates from a simple prowler on the porch to likely intent to cause harm.

But nothing happens. He slinks to the shadows again and waits. No lights come on. No cops show up. This could account for a solid 15-20 minutes of that 40 minute timeline we keep hearing about. Again, there is no real rush here. If he is detected he will escape into the pitch black and brush unseen. If he is not detected then it’s like he just arrived. It’s likely he has a getaway driver close by but not so close that if police suddenly come flying down the street his car isn’t sitting there parked suspiciously. It’s not like he can hop into a car and take off 2 houses down at 2:30 AM or so when the police are responding to a suspicious man trying to break into a house.

We have also heard about a second motion detection after 2, about 15 minutes or so before Nancy’s pacemaker disconnected from her watch. This could be the kidnapper(s) proceeding to gain entry into the house, meaning they would have only been inside for 10 minutes or less in total, which makes a lot more sense. One restrains her while the other goes and gets the car OR signals the getaway driver that it’s time, which obviously would not be in the driveway to begin with in case their camera test resulted in their presence being detected. So that takes a few minutes, as does getting her into the car, situated, and leaving.

If you take all that into account, we could be talking 5-10 minutes or even less in the house in total. If they were there for 40 minutes they would have cleaned up all the blood drops. Instead, IMO, they got in as quietly as possible after making sure the cameras didn’t wake anyone up, and got her out as quickly as possible, because who knows what little hidden cameras or security items they could miss. Kidnappers act fast. They don’t stick around the scene any longer than needed once the crime is in motion.

Just my theory, but I think it explains this person’s actions. Far from being a bumbling amateur, this was IMO a clever test to see what alerts, if any, would result from the camera before proceeding into the house.

A very big Welcome

And I really appreciate your sound ( and experienced) suggestions and scenarios.

It actually makes good sense to me. I’ve thought it was a planned kidnapping, although could be mistaken identity.

Also, thank you so much for silencing that thing in my brain that kept on saying ‘but they were inside for minutes’.

 

[Napoli]

We have listened to scores of talking heads on TV give opinions.. That's all they are. The DNA for now seems like it might be a blind alley. I don't know. So what do we have that we can sink our teeth into? 84 year old woman, taken from her bed, blood on her walkway, and a VIDEO. They have already said it isnt a burglary gone wrong. Look at that footage! He was well prepared with his backpack and full body camouflage. If he really was there hours or days apart, that's stalking.

Children and young women are snatched off the street every day and are sexually assault and murdered. They dont dress up like monsters. Often it is a crime of opportunity and to satisfy some sexual arousal. This kidnapper was prepared. This was targeted to NG. It's not the wrong house, wrong victim scenario. IMO

Study that video. Youngish male, covered from head to toe, bite light, phallic carrying of gun, possibly carrying gear in his backpack to subdue his victim. Length of time in the house just doesnt matter. He got in and got out with his prey. He has evaded capture or identification so far. This is a stalker who wanted to take NG to gain the attention of SG. This was a well planned and executed mission by a haunted, delusional, romantically obsessed fan who needed to gain the attention of SG. IMO, this was not a random guy who wanted to have sex with a random old lady.

Motive is the key here whatever that is,. Figure out the motive and you will find the perp. The only viable motives for me is some kind of twisted revenge or obsessed stalker and we all know where I stand. Where do you stand?
JMO

 

[cherryleaf]

We have listened to scores of talking heads on TV give opinions.. That's all they are. The DNA for now seems like it might be a blind alley. I don't know. So what do we have that we can sink our teeth into? 84 year old woman, taken from her bed, blood on her walkway, and a VIDEO. They have already said it isnt a burglary gone wrong. Look at that footage! He was well prepared with his backpack and full body camouflage. If he really was there hours or days apart, that's stalking.

Children and young women are snatched off the street every day and are sexually assault and murdered. They dont dress up like monsters. Often it is a crime of opportunity and to satisfy some sexual arousal. This kidnapper was prepared. This was targeted to NG. It's not the wrong house, wrong victim scenario. IMO

Study that video. Youngish male, covered from head to toe, bite light, phallic carrying of gun, possibly carrying gear in his backpack to subdue his victim. Length of time in the house just doesnt matter. He got in and got out with his prey. He has evaded capture or identification so far. This is a stalker who wanted to take NG to gain the attention of SG. This was a well planned and executed mission by a haunted, delusional, romantically obsessed fan who needed to gain the attention of SG. IMO, this was not a random guy who wanted to have sex with a random old lady.

Motive is the key here whatever that is,. Figure out the motive and you will find the perp. The only viable motives for me is some kind of twisted revenge or obsessed stalker and we all know where I stand. Where do you stand?
JMO

The phallic placement of the holster has always bothered me. IMO, It was meant to be SEEN first and foremost. As a female, when I first saw that photo, it was something I immediately noticed and for a sec I thought, does this guy have his penis out? I mean that’s what it looked like at first glance under the IR, but I quickly realized it was a holster. However, the placement of the holster made me think that this man, has felt emasculated, he has been made to feel small or unimportant. By whom? Maybe an overbearing mother, or a wife? Idk. The holster/gun placement to me, as a female, …it’s meant to be seen. It’s meant to intimidate. It’s a power move. MOO

 

[sds71]

A neighbor of Nancy Guthrie's says she saw a man who "didn't fit" in the community walking near the missing woman's home in January, a few weeks before Guthrie's suspected abduction.

"He didn’t have your typical walking gear on, and he had his hat pulled really far over his eyes," said the neighbor, who told Fox News Digital she’s lived in the Catalina Foothills for nearly 30 years.

Another longtime resident of the Catalina Foothills area said investigators came to her house a total of five times. In particular, they asked for home security video from Jan. 11. @palombomedia

https://twitter.com/x/status/2026650670967959989