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

[Arkay]

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I think it is choreographed. They are easing her back into the show for viewers.

Yes, for viewers and for Savannah as well.

Baby steps.

This would not have been broadcast without SG’s permission and approval.

IMO

 

[Arkay]

So while everyone is looking south, over the border into Mexico, the perp could be going north to Phoenix, an hour and a half away. I think it is easier to melt into the woodwork in a big city as opposed to a small town. But there are more cameras there, tracking cars, etc.

If I were this kidnapper, I would already be here, in NYC.

Yes, we have surveillance everywhere, you couldn’t take a step without being on camera, but there are 9 million people here and no one knows what he looks like.

JMO

 

[turaj]

I really like BE and his reports. In this case while I get the point until we have the perp(s) arrested all options are on the table

 

[SlimPickens]

We talked about signal jammers a few pages back--with much info including websites you can buy them, types, range, etc.

It doesn't necessarily imply too much sophistication as anyone can get one and simply flip it on (not very tech savvy, it just emits an overload of signals that jam multibands; wifi, cellular, GPS. A colleague of mine sees them in South Africa in home invasions used by 17 year olds all the time.


This all started when the neighbor said they didn't have Ring cam footage from the night in question and speculated on it.

Nancy Guthrie's neighbors flag camera glitching as experts explain Wi-Fi jamming

FBI investigators reportedly ask neighbors about internet outages during Savannah Guthrie's mother's abduction, sparking Wi-Fi jammer speculation.

www.foxnews.com

It isn't that anyone can get one and flip it on and use it, it's that this kidnapper (likely) did. The majority of criminals are unsophisticated, have little foresight, little impulse control, and little research/planning capabilities, and aren't the types that would go to these lengths to A. kidnap someone and B. leave little to no trace behind.

My point is that this shows enough sophistication to warrant that designation, and someone with that kind of planning, foresight, tech research/implementation, and patience, would likely also have the ability to research and implement anonymous ransom form emails and encrypted Bitcoin accounts to facilitate a ransom demand.

JMO.

 

[factseeking]

The media is free to report on a ransom demand it received, and the FBI can acknowledge the ransom demand sent to the media, but the FBI has no obligation or incentive to have HRT produce a scripted ransom response for the family unless it had been authenticated. The family is free to assess, coordinate, and produce a response if they choose, but the FBI wouldn't facilitate it unless it was real.

Because it could compromise a prosecution if it wasn't real and they treated it as it might be. It should also be noted that they've already arrested and are in process of prosecuting an actual hoax.

JMO.

Ok I see the key is the FBI crafting the response, interesting. Do we have confirmation the FBI did craft the response? I know a lot of us including me assumed they had for a lot of different reasons.

 

[The Missing Canoe]

Interesting idea.
But don't we live in the era of endless celebrity news stories? I just assumed her return to NBC was just another case of the minutiae of life being documented and offered for consumption.

It appears that the photos are credited to Charles Sykes of AP News, so I would trust that all parties consented. The telephoto lens theory could still be correct, as the photographer could be maintaining a respectful distance. The attached photo is a screenshot from the video at this link (blown up to see the credit). EDITED to add a better screenshot.
https://apnews.com/video/photos-sho...day-show-set-1f1aed03c27842c5831838bef600aa9d

 

[factseeking]

Great points....I posted this opinion yesterday :

IMO, the contents of the ransom notes were real, but were NOT written by the kidnapper(s). It was written by an individual that was either at the initial response to the crime scene or someone with intimate knowledge from that scene trying to scam a buck.

Real kidnappers would find a way to provide proof of life. That's how you get paid!!

Opportunistic scum have NO WAY to show proof of life, so they go radio silent because their bluff has been called...JMO

This "ransom demand " plays out like a TV bank robbery..."I'll release the hostages after you take me to a fully fueled airplane and fly me to a country of my choice"

You know and I know the bank robber never makes it on that plane.

Again, it's just me throwin' it out there....MOO

Good analogy it did play out like a TV bank robbery! That really crystallizes what I'm thinking at this point.

 

[SlimPickens]

I understand your point, but it seems to me this would then be a losing proposition, on all sides.

It likely was. I didn't say it works. I just said it adds another layer for a kidnapper to insulate him/herself. I imagine there are criminals out there who are sophisticated enough to test the theory and depraved enough to not care if they determine they need to fine tune it.

I doubt the FBI has seen anything quite like this because it breaks nearly every rule of kidnapping for ransom. I often wonder if we would still be talking about this case after 30+ days if the ransom was paid.

JMO.

 

[flowershop]

Now that I'm thinking about this ransom demand again, did we ever come up with a plausible theory as to why it was sent to a local news station and TMZ?

Let's say it's real - why wouldn't the kidnapper send it directly to the family per the norm? Why would they want everyone to know?

Let's say it's fake - I have the same question! Actually if it's fake that person probably wanted their time in the spotlight.

And re: the Guthrie family's response - why just Instagram and not a more wide reaching media like NBC or CNN? It just seems weird they wouldn't want to reach a very wide audience.

Perhaps the messaging by SG on Instagram was by request of the ransom note writer. Also I would argue that the demographic that uses Instagram is not the same watching network television. JMO

 

[buffalogal]

Now that I'm thinking about this ransom demand again, did we ever come up with a plausible theory as to why it was sent to a local news station and TMZ?

Let's say it's real - why wouldn't the kidnapper send it directly to the family per the norm? Why would they want everyone to know?

Let's say it's fake - I have the same question! Actually if it's fake that person probably wanted their time in the spotlight.

And re: the Guthrie family's response - why just Instagram and not a more wide reaching media like NBC or CNN? It just seems weird they wouldn't want to reach a very wide audience.

Let's say the first and second ransom notes were real: IMHO, they clearly want *everyone* to know this woman did not wander off, she was taken from her home in the wee hours of the morning and 'disappeared'. They could have left a ransom note at the house, they could have had something delivered to the family, but this way, contacting the media first, it is guaranteed people will sit up and notice.

I believe the other notes after that are fake; maybe some fool who got the idea from a crime drama on tv, or, more likely, they're just a narcissist devoid of empathy playing "I know a secret" to amuse themself.

I would not be surprised if the Instagram response was at the request of the note writer; again, they want that grief on display. They know the big networks will be covering the story, they're counting on it.

 

[SlimPickens]

Ok I see the key is the FBI crafting the response, interesting. Do we have confirmation the FBI did craft the response? I know a lot of us including me assumed they had for a lot of different reasons.

I think I recall reports to that effect, but we have to assume that the FBI facilitated those family responses because their doing so without direct FBI consent/oversight would be akin to Harvey Levin disclosing the contents of the ransom demand emails when he received them - it would likely be seen as interfering with an active federal investigation.

JMO.

 

[buffalogal]

I doubt the FBI has seen anything quite like this because it breaks nearly every rule of kidnapping for ransom. I often wonder if we would still be talking about this case after 30+ days if the ransom was paid.

JMO.

I absolutely believe we would because I don't think this was ever about money, nor do I think it was about her daughter. JMHO

 

[factseeking]

The article about SG going to NBC the other day bothered me. Why was this news? She is grieving, she is thanking her colleagues. I get all that. However, the photos of her crying and hugging people were not necessary for outsiders to see and something more, IMO Basically it was not informative. She wants to return but she has to see this through about her mom. Said nothing.

Well, why the publicity? Targeted to someone? I am going to put my stalker aside for a moment. This non news story featuring NBC employees embracing her, spoke to me. COULD THIS BE someone she worked with at some time? An NBC page or intern? A "star" she has upstaged or wronged? Food for thought. JMO

Somewhere that day before I saw any pictures I saw a clip of the beginning of Jenna and Sheinelle's show (4th hour) where they had just come from seeing Savannah. Their intro was so touching because it was off the cuff and Jenna was about to burst into tears.

I wish NBC had left it at that. I didn't need to see those photos and when I did it felt not authentic, like staged even though I knew it wasn't. If they wanted to cover it in their news later in the day or especially that evening they could have just had one of the Today anchors say a few words about how everyone hugged her, so good to see her, etc.

I don't really think an NBC colleague/page/intern was responsible but creative thought!

 

[factseeking]

Perhaps the messaging by SG on Instagram was by request of the ransom note writer. Also I would argue that the demographic that uses Instagram is not the same watching network television. JMO

Yes I agree it could have been and yes I agree the demographic is different! My thought is why not use Instagram, CNN, NBC, TMZ, etc, use all kinds of different media to target different age groups, cultures, religions, whatever demographic you can name. Paint with a wide brush. JMO there had to be a reason they used Instagram only.

 

[factseeking]

Let's say the first and second ransom notes were real: IMHO, they clearly want *everyone* to know this woman did not wander off, she was taken from her home in the wee hours of the morning and 'disappeared'. They could have left a ransom note at the house, they could have had something delivered to the family, but this way, contacting the media first, it is guaranteed people will sit up and notice.

I believe the other notes after that are fake; maybe some fool who got the idea from a crime drama on tv, or, more likely, they're just a narcissist devoid of empathy playing "I know a secret" to amuse themself.

I would not be surprised if the Instagram response was at the request of the note writer; again, they want that grief on display. They know the big networks will be covering the story, they're counting on it.

Yes the only reason I can think of to do it through the media if it's real is they wanted to draw attention to the situation. But why? So many people saw it/heard about/started talking about it, started sleuthing, doesn't that make it more problematic for the kidnapper? Now everyone's eyes are on it, people like us have spent weeks talking about it - why do you want that if you really have her and want to collect the ransom? This is what keeps leading me back to it being fake.

If it's fake I get it. A horrible, cruel, sick person wanted attention.

 

[Napoli]

It likely was. I didn't say it works. I just said it adds another layer for a kidnapper to insulate him/herself. I imagine there are criminals out there who are sophisticated enough to test the theory and depraved enough to not care if they determine they need to fine tune it.

I doubt the FBI has seen anything quite like this because it breaks nearly every rule of kidnapping for ransom. I often wonder if we would still be talking about this case after 30+ days if the ransom was paid.

JMO.

Just as an aside, companies who are subjected to cyberattacks pay ransoms all the time so their systems can be cleared of the encrypted stuff the perps use to lock the systems. Ransomware attacks are paid. jmo

 

[Napoli]

Yes the only reason I can think of to do it through the media if it's real is they wanted to draw attention to the situation. But why? So many people saw it/heard about/started talking about it, started sleuthing, doesn't that make it more problematic for the kidnapper? Now everyone's eyes are on it, people like us have spent weeks talking about it - why do you want that if you really have her and want to collect the ransom? This is what keeps leading me back to it being fake.

If it's fake I get it. A horrible, cruel, sick person wanted attention.

bbm He wanted the response from SG.. He wasnt 1 bit interested in you, me, the masses or sleuths. He forced SG et al to perform like trained circus animals, groomed for his entertainment and pleasure. It was twisted and horrible. Watch those Instagram videos. He's sadistic in his quest for his morbid satisfaction. He wanted total submission. I cant read this any other way. JMO

 

[factseeking]

bbm He wanted the response from SG.. He wasnt 1 bit interested in you, me, the masses or sleuths. He forced SG et al to perform like trained circus animals, groomed for his entertainment and pleasure. It was twisted and horrible. Watch those Instagram videos. He's sadistic in his quest for his morbid satisfaction. He wanted total submission. I cant read this any other way. JMO

Maybe so, and he didn't care if he got caught by making so many other people aware. Idk I can't decide on a motive and my head just spins around these days when I think about this case.

 

[SherryLock]

Maybe so, and he didn't care if he got caught by making so many other people aware. Idk I can't decide on a motive and my head just spins around these days when I think about this case.

Oh, I know. It's hard to try to apply reasoning to such vicious insanity.

 

[buffalogal]

I haven't heard it confirmed by LE that Nancy's watch charger was found at the foot of her bed. Do you have a link you could share? Tia

Jmo

The note specifically mentioned the watch?