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

[imstilla.grandma]

"The loudest evidence can be the lack of evidence," Heather Barnhart, a forensic expert who helped solve the Idaho student murders, told Fox News Digital.

"[Killer Bryan] Kohberger literally created bookends around the crime by turning off his device," Barnhart said. "So in addition to all the clearing and other things that he prepped for to erase his digital footprint, the fact that right before the murder, his phone was turned off, and then within like 40 minutes or so after it was turned back on, kind of gave us that tunnel to look down here."

Small clues, like a device being off, movement or tower pings can give investigators clues.

"If the person prepped, they wouldn't ping that tower, but if they went ahead of time and scoped it out or planned, they would have," Barnhart said. "And then you can also look for entry and exit. And then proximity pings, because eventually you're going to turn your phone back on."

Even if the perpetrator didn't connect to WiFi, digital touches could provide evidence in the event a device is found.

"With Bryan Kohberger, he disabled cellular, disabled Wi-Fi and turned off his phone," Barnhart said. "That is extreme measures to not have a digital footprint. So he really took all the steps but still made a mistake … We hope in Nancy Guthrie, that whoever has her made a mistake and that we can uncover that footprint."

Savannah Guthrie missing mom live updates: Suspect’s digital ‘blackout’ could help solve case, Kohberger expert says

Follow the Post’s live updates for the latest news on Savannah Guthrie’s missing mom and the investigation to find Nancy Guthrie, who was last seen on Jan. 31.

nypost.com

 

[shonyakay]

Since we don't know how Nancy's doorbell nest camera was disconnected at 1:47 a.m. we can only speculate.

When the Nest camera is disconnected from a power source it will still stay connected to WiFi provided it's internal battery is charged. It will maintain it's Internet connection to stream and record until the battery is depleted.

While the camera stays connected to WiFi it will only record event-based video when running on battery.

If the Wifi router loses power but the camera still has battery the camera will appear "offline" in the app but can locally store up to one hour of recorded events to its internal memory. It will then upload these clips to the cloud once the WiFi connection is restored. From my understanding the physical camera is not needed to achieve this as this can be utilized through the app.

 

[Cassie P]

I don’t see her going to the front door in the middle of the night, as most people wouldn’t, IMO. I think as SG said, she was taken from her bed. That makes more sense.

JMO

I thought the sheriff walked back the "taken from her bed" story and is now talking about her getting out of bed for some reason. I am trying to develop a theory to incorporate what the sheriff is now saying.

What most people would do is not specific to the older female cohort group.

 

[VTHOMM]

The perp in the video – do you think he just “forgot” that there was a ring camera or just not smart enough to know that a house like that would likely have one? That confuses me a lot. Also, why take her out thru the front? Maybe someone has already answered this but it seems to me through the garage would have been less noticeable even though it may have been a bit longer distance to take her. Finally, regarding the possibility of two different dates of perp, he does look like he has different shoes, I am not sure the jacket is even the same. The moon was out in the video but the guy standing against the dark sky, could it just look dark because of the poor photo image or even taken during a different time of the same night?

 

[MassGuy]

I think it's likely this guy had his phone off during the crime. That doesn't mean he didn't leave it on during prior scouting efforts though, which may help law enforcement catch him.

Nancy Guthrie suspect's digital ‘blackout’ may be key to case, says expert who probed Kohberger phone

Digital forensics expert Heather Barnhart, who helped solve Idaho student murders, says Nancy Guthrie's abductor may have left crucial digital evidence.

www.foxnews.com

 

[SRWCF]

We all have personal bias, and many variables changed ie Uber, no Uber would have had no bearing on results. We will never know. There are so many variables here, and that makes it complex.

I have a feeling when it's all said and done, and we find out what really happened, it won't be complex at all. The more complex a crime is, the more opportunity there is for something to go wrong. It's very possible this crime went exactly according to plan. It's also very possible that there were a few missteps along the way. That being said, overall, the perp(s) has been very successful thus far since apparently little to no traceable DNA was left at the scene and poor NG is still missing.

 

[Han]

Just read an article talking about how they will look for who had their cell phone off during the time of the crime.

Link please

Could be this discussion:

https://twitter.com/x/status/2027011939906555995

 

[SRWCF]

IMO, While All attention should be on solving the case, no other distracting personal issues should be mentioned. to anyone! Immature, ineffective, and unprofessional overall. Suck it up, and get on with finding Nancy and her kidnapper/murderer.

I'm with you! These disgruntled employees have taken advantage of this opportunity to openly air their grievances re: Sheriff Nanos. There is a time and a place, and it's not now and via the media!

 

[BigCityAccountant]

If it's someone from Savannah's past, they would likely be in their 50s.

Well, that doesn't mean they couldn't hire someone to carry out their mis-deeds.

 

[aamillaa]

But as Brian Entin noted, it absolutely affects media.

I do think the community is at a tipping point. The searchers on private land, YouTube “reporters”, etc.

Assuming a lot of ppl in this neighborhood may have guns for home defense (MOO based on what others have said about AZ) and everyone is on edge rn, things could get ugly.

I imagine LE is aware that traditional media outlets can figure out the no parking. And traditional media outlets are going to be a lot more cautious about how they handle private property, neighbors, etc.

MOO

 

[aamillaa]

I think it's likely this guy had his phone off during the crime. That doesn't mean he didn't leave it on during prior scouting efforts though, which may help law enforcement catch him.

Nancy Guthrie suspect's digital ‘blackout’ may be key to case, says expert who probed Kohberger phone

Digital forensics expert Heather Barnhart, who helped solve Idaho student murders, says Nancy Guthrie's abductor may have left crucial digital evidence.

www.foxnews.com

If so, this has to be someone who isn’t normally following crime cases. That was SUCH a huge story with BK, you’d think anyone following that would make sure to be cautious of that. (I mean, as simple as leaving their phone on at home)
MOO

 

[BigCityAccountant]

Not sure if approved source or this has been talked about, but if it is related, then there might be a clue here in that the vehicle was a grey malibu or something like that.

https://twitter.com/x/status/2026791367901430074

 

[OldCop]

See, I look at the blood pattern outside the door and to me it looks like the pattern from someone standing still and their nose/mouth is bleeding rather than someone being carried out. All the motion looks downwards to me but that's JMO I'm not an expert beyond having lots of nose bleeds in my day haha

I think if she was being carried over the perpetrator’s shoulder, the blood would fall in the downward pattern you suggested as opposed to if she was being carried in someone’s arms. Someone unconscious or worse would likely be hoisted over the shoulders à la the “fireman’s carry”.

 

[aafromaa]

Agree.

The initial ransom was reported to be around 1 million then increased to 6 million after the first deadline. MOO bc I can’t remember who reported.

I am wondering if the reports about the initial ransom being $1M are true that that’s why SG is specifically offering $1M for arrest/conviction or body. IF ransom guys were legit, a way for them to get what they wanted initially MOO

MOO unless I missed an update from SG regarding the reward the $1M offered by the family is only for the return of NG (living or not) and has nothing to do with whether or not it leads to an arrest or conviction like the $100K FBI reward does and would not be paid in the event of an arrest or conviction without NG being returned (living or not). IMO the family just needs to know about NG. They will want an arrest and conviction of course but all they are focused on right now and all the reward was offered for was NG.

 

[britinsussex]

 

[penguinface]

Nanos walked it back, intimating that it was a figure of speech, not necessarily what happened in the truest sense. However, Savannah repeated it exactly in the latest IG post. That makes me think it was really what occurred.

I think he might have been walking it back partly out of tact and respect/dignity for NG and the family, and partly not to give the kind of information that only a perp would know, so as to not prejudice any future trials. Syllepsis is the name for phrases that can be used figuratively and literally at the same time, like the people on the Titanic “all being in the same boat”, or saying that a star quarterback “really dropped the ball there” if he literally dropped the ball at a crucial moment in a game.

JMO

 

[SaraSmile]

But as Brian Entin noted, it absolutely affects media.

I think someone offered him a driveway to operate from, wonder if they allow his van? JMO
Big lots, plenty of parking.

I’m sure the neighbors want the perp caught. They probably like some media there, signals that the case is not cold.

Maybe neighbors will charge media for parking? Make $ Just kidding! LOL

JMO

 

[aamillaa]

MOO unless I missed an update from SG regarding the reward the $1M offered by the family is only for the return of NG (living or not) and has nothing to do with whether or not it leads to an arrest or conviction like the $100K FBI reward does and would not be paid in the event of an arrest or conviction without NG being returned (living or not). IMO the family just needs to know about NG. They will want an arrest and conviction of course but all they are focused on right now and all the reward was offered for was NG.

Ah!! Thank you. That is correct.

 

[Katrinepa]

Wouldn't the family know who the physician was that put in her pacemaker. I took my mom at 86 to have her procedure. And my brother took her for the after visit to check on things.

I'd imagine the family has the records, or her insurance company T

I have a feeling when it's all said and done, and we find out what really happened, it won't be complex at all. The more complex a crime is, the more opportunity there is for something to go wrong. It's very possible this crime went exactly according to plan. It's also very possible that there were a few missteps along the way. That being said, overall, the perp(s) has been very successful thus far since apparently little to no traceable DNA was left at the scene and poor NG is still missing.

I watched a podcast with a retired FBI expert, and he said that once they find the perpetrator, it won't be a surprise to anyone. Interesting that you see exactly what he does. He pointed out that the person at the house was relaxed and didn't look professional, but certainly had committed crimes previous to this one. OTOH, the ransom notes were written intelligently and carefully, almost as if they had also done that, but he felt, definitely not the same person on the video camera. Ugh. MOO

 

[Han]

View attachment 648556

BE also says he knows all their dogs by now.

https://twitter.com/x/status/2026877921714200769