Crime Stories with Nancy Grace
Episode: SAVANNAH GUTHER MOM MISSING: EXTENSIVE HIGHWAY SEARCHES UNDERWAY
Date: February 11, 2026
Episode Overview
In this gripping episode, Nancy Grace and a panel of experts dissect ongoing developments in the disappearance and suspected kidnapping of 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie from the Catalina Foothills north of Tucson. As major search efforts intensify and new evidence emerges—including suspicious ransom missives and video footage from Guthrie’s porch—Nancy and her guests discuss law enforcement strategies, behavioral clues, technology in the investigation, and the impact on the victim’s family. Listeners are treated to sharp insight and the relentless questioning Grace is known for.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Search Intensifies Across Southern Arizona
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[00:41–04:05]
- Hundreds of FBI and sheriff’s deputies are now combing the Catalina Foothills, with searches extending to areas near Tul, Sinalo, Tulsa, Northridge, Estrada, and major roadways.
- Purpose of Search: Looking for evidence (cell phone, camera, clothing) possibly discarded by the perpetrator as they left the scene.
- Public Advisory: FBI warns locals and media to be alert and yield to search teams.
“They are spread...all over the area. They are searching roads, back roads...they’re looking specifically for evidence that could have been tossed from a vehicle...”—Dave Mack [03:13]
2. Role of Public Tips and Surge in Information
-
[06:42–09:30]
- Nancy underscores the critical value of citizen tips, citing the Gabby Petito case as an example where a bystander’s vigilance helped locate remains.
- Following release of video footage, tips surged from 1,800 to 4,000 in a single day.
“Did you know, Brian Fitzgibbons, that In the last 24 hours, there have been 4,000 calls, tips called in?...This is what is generating the calls and the tips. This.”—Nancy Grace [08:31]
3. What Law Enforcement is Seeking in the Searches
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[04:38–10:05]
- Expert theories on evidence sought: Discarded disguises/clothing, tools, or incriminating items that match security video from the scene.
- Described as "blocking and tackling"...covering every possible escape route and avenue for discarded evidence.
- Expert Brian Fitzgibbons outlines likely scenarios for roadside searches:
- Following up on specific tips about suspicious vehicles or activity.
- Assuming typical criminal behavior: discarding disguises/tools to avoid being traced.
“Very often in criminal activity, they're going to dump, you know, regardless of what crime it is, they're going to dump that clothing or disguise.”—Brian Fitzgibbons [05:51]
4. Breakdown of Security Video: Clothing, Layers, Motive
-
[10:05–13:51]
- Nancy recounts a past case to illustrate how criminals often change/discard disguises for escape.
- Experts debate whether the suspect’s elaborate preparation suggests a professional hit or bungling amateurism.
- Possible misdirection: Is the suspect trying to make this look like a ransom kidnapping, when motives may differ (e.g., inheritance)?
“He's clearly...he has on layers. Layers. He's about to bust out of the pants and the jacket.”—Nancy Grace [11:19]
“Now, everything except for the video has been done on a professional level. So this video isn't congruent with the other things that have happened.”—Josh Colesrud [13:09]
5. The Bizarre Ransom Missives and “Bitcoin Rat”
-
[14:44–16:24]
- TMZ receives a third email, this from an alleged third party offering to name the kidnapper for one bitcoin (~$66,000).
- Skepticism abounds; former detective Chris McDonough compares it to classic email scams and notes the traceability of bitcoin.
“What do you make of a rat ratting out a rat? Can he be believed? And does nobody understand Bitcoin can be traced?”—Nancy Grace [15:28]
6. High-Tech Forensics and RN (Registered Number) Tracking
-
[16:24–19:28]
- Chris McDonough explains how even tossed clothing can provide investigative leads via RN numbers—unique tags on imported garments tracked by the FTC.
- Real-life case: Police tracked a murder suspect’s jacket to the cash register and credit card.
- Application in Guthrie case: Scrutinizing any recovered items for tracking.
“With that number, the Federal Trade Commission tracks the inventory as it comes into the United States, and then the distribution points as to where that particular clothing went, including backpacks.”—Chris McDonough [17:39]
7. How Security Footage Was Recovered Against the Odds
-
[19:28–22:50]
- Even without a Nest subscription, the FBI obtained porch cam footage by pulling data from Google’s vast digital archives.
- Nancy marvels at the technological feat, likening it to a “Raiders of the Lost Ark” moment.
“The FBI did it. They went through all of that data and they find Nancy Guthrie's door cam and they resurrect this—power to the feds.”—Nancy Grace [21:32]
8. Detailed Analysis of the Perpetrator’s Clothing and Equipment
- [22:50–24:31]
- Unique features: balaclava with vertical ribs, jacket with reflective zipper, stuffed adult-sized backpack with reflectors.
- Law enforcement likely canvassing local stores (e.g., Walmart) for matching items.
9. Facial Recognition and Biometric Analysis Despite Disguises
-
[25:04–27:09]
- Authorities using porch measurements and shoe prints to estimate the suspect’s height and shoe size (estimated 5’11”–6’0”, size 12).
- Even with face concealed, software may later verify an ID based on facial ratios and body size if a suspect emerges.
“They can measure the length, the height of the stones and Nancy Guthrie's porch, ...They can determine his height, probably down to about an inch...”—Nancy Grace [25:25]
10. ‘Movement DNA:’ Behavioral Fingerprint Analysis
-
[28:08–31:30]
- Body language expert Janine Driver stresses the investigative value in the unique way the suspect walks—his “movement DNA.”
- The public is encouraged to report if the walk/movements evoke recognition, as movement patterns can be as identifying as faces.
"We all have movement DNA. There are about 9 billion people on the planet. There are 36 billion different ways we can move our bodies..."—Janine Driver [28:55]
11. Assessment of Guthrie Family’s Body Language Under Scrutiny
-
[31:08–35:02]
- Janine Driver addresses criticism that Guthrie’s children (Savannah, Annie, Cameron) seem unemotional—explaining that real trauma response varies greatly and that no signs of deception, contempt or inappropriate behavior are present.
"What Savannah is saying is, I'm taking this seriously. Listen to me... Annie's looking down, emotional. Look at—you see sadness in the chin. Sadness is one of the hardest emotions to fake."—Janine Driver [33:01]
12. Status of the Key Suspect (Carlos Palazzo) and Ongoing Rio Rico Search
-
[35:02–38:35]
- Law enforcement stopped and questioned delivery driver Carlos Palazzo, but he was released after they could not connect him to the case.
- His proximity and vague resemblance prompted the stop; extensive ongoing search of the Rio Rico area noted.
- Legal expert clarifies that police only need reasonable suspicion to detain, not arrest.
“Carlos was detained. He was not arrested... If the police had probable cause, he would never have gotten home last night.”—Josh Colesrud [38:35]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
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On the case’s complexity:
"It's a kidnap of 84 year old Nancy Guthrie and he's such a bumbling idiot that he tried to cover up the door cam with foliage. Which is a real dichotomy with whoever wrote the ransom note, which was very well written." —Nancy Grace [12:24] -
On bitcoin extortion attempts:
"Can he be believed? And does nobody understand Bitcoin can be traced?" —Nancy Grace [15:28] -
On citizen involvement:
"Citizen sleuth...If it had not been for that citizen sleuth, we would never have found Gabby Petito’s remains." —Nancy Grace [07:48] -
On the vital role of movement DNA:
"There are 36 billion different ways we can move our bodies that connect to how we make decisions..." —Janine Driver [28:57] -
On the reality of grieving:
"These people, this family, the Guthrie family, are exhausted. They're up all night. When we judge people's behavior like we're judging the Guthrie kids here, right. I want you to stop and think, do I have a bias?" —Janine Driver [31:52]
Important Timestamps
- [00:41–03:06] — Law enforcement search details, locations, public impact.
- [06:42–09:30] — Surge in tips after video release, Gabby Petito reference.
- [13:00–13:51] — Motives: professional hit vs. misdirection.
- [14:44–16:24] — Bitcoin ransom missive to TMZ, skepticism.
- [16:24–19:28] — Clothing tracking, RN numbers, digital evidence.
- [21:32–23:11] — Porch camera video recovery by FBI, Google data mining.
- [28:08–31:30] — Body language analysis, movement DNA insight.
- [35:22–36:14] — Search continues in Rio Rico, suspect Carlos Palazzo.
- [38:35–39:25] — Legal explanation about detainment vs arrest.
Conclusion
Throughout the episode, Nancy Grace doggedly pursues theories, expert insights, and public involvement in the Nancy Guthrie disappearance. The episode is packed with practical investigative breakdowns, lively expert debate, and heartfelt appeals to both forensic science and human intuition. The central message: Every clue matters, from advanced tech to the way a suspect walks, and the search for Nancy Guthrie is far from over.
If you have any information, call:
1-800-225-5324
Or anonymously: 520-882-7463