Episode Overview

Title: SAVANNAH GUTHRIE MOM MISSING: DAY 12
Podcast: Crime Stories with Nancy Grace
Date: February 12, 2026
Host: Nancy Grace
Key Guests: Brian Fitzgibbons (USPA Nationwide Security), Scott Eicher (FBI Forensics/Cast), Dave Mack (Crime Stories Reporter), Eric Faddis (Defense Attorney, Ex-Prosecutor), Dr. Sherry Schwartz (Forensic Psychologist)

Nancy Grace and an expert panel delve into new developments on day 12 of the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, mother of TV host Savannah Guthrie. The episode dissects fresh evidence from the crime scene, new surveillance footage, and the ongoing emotional and investigative efforts to locate Nancy Guthrie, while grappling with law enforcement missteps, chain-of-custody concerns, and the heartache of the Guthrie family.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Forensic Tent at Crime Scene [01:14–09:35]

• Purpose of the Tent:

  • Used to protect the integrity and confidentiality of forensic evidence gathering on the Guthrie home’s porch.
  • Shields sensitive procedures from public/spectator view and prevents contamination.
    • “This is very likely done to protect whatever those agents are doing... and that speculation isn't being generated from whatever's happening.” – Brian Fitzgibbons [02:15]
    • “Typically, a tent like that is put up when evidence is being recovered. Sensitive evidence, agree or disagree?” – Nancy Grace [02:46]

• Techniques Employed:

  • Use of laser measurement equipment to create a 3D model of the scene for evidence such as suspect height estimation.
    • “It'll give us like a model of how tall the arches, all the bricks, where they are at.” – Scott Eicher [03:33]

• Chain of Custody Concerns:

  • Scene may have been released too soon, risking contamination—critical if the case goes to trial.
    • “There has to be proof that what you're giving to the jury is authentic, that it hasn't been contaminated.” – Eric Faddis [07:24]

• Family Trauma:

  • The sight of the forensic tent is emotionally devastating, often associated with recovery of remains.
    • “The family... already being in this emotional limbo... having to wait and see...” – Dr. Sherry Schwartz [09:02]

2. New Surveillance Video and Possible Suspect [09:35–13:17]

• Video Findings:
  • New footage from a neighbor’s Ring camera at 1:53am (minutes after the presumed time of abduction) shows a man with two backpacks, possibly interacting with someone behind a gate.
    • “It appears that he's dealing with trash. And he's got another backpack there.” – Dave Mack [10:15]
    • Nancy and panel note the odd behavior (passing items, possible accomplice).
• Significance:
  • The man was in proximity to Guthrie’s home, in the early morning, matching the timeline of Nancy’s disappearance.
  • Video quickly forwarded to the FBI for analysis.

3. Family’s Emotional Call & Community Engagement [13:17–17:38]

• Savannah Guthrie’s Video:

  • Released a poignant video of family memories, intended to humanize her mother and elicit empathy.
    • “This is an incredibly emotional and humanizing video... keep people inspired to persevere in this case.” – Brian Fitzgibbons [16:25]
    • Nancy believes Savannah is "speaking directly to the kidnapper" or someone who knows them [17:09].

• Encouragement to Public:

  • Urging neighbors to review their own security footage and raise awareness.

4. Discovery of Two Gloves Near Scene [18:49–31:23]

• Findings and Significance:
  • Two black gloves, matching those seen on the porch suspect, found separately, less than 1.5 miles from the Guthrie home.
    • “What is significant about the location of these gloves? Less than a mile and a half from Nancy Guthrie's home.” – Nancy Grace [18:49]
• Law Enforcement Search:
  • Large-scale, focused roadside searches by hundreds of agents; likely triggered by specific tips or data.
    • “We're talking hundreds in a very structured search of a very specific area and finding what they're looking for.” – Dave Mack [38:36]
• Forensic Potential:
  • Gloves could yield DNA, hair follicles, molecular tracing to manufacturer/batch/store.
    • “It is a big deal to find these gloves and hope hopefully they are related to Ms. Guthrie's kidnapping or missing.” – Scott Eicher [29:52]

5. Challenges and Emotional Toll of the Investigation [31:23–37:26]

• Resilience in the Face of Setbacks:
  • Nancy and panel acknowledge discouragement after a major suspect was cleared; discuss emotional toll on investigators and family.
    • “If this isn't the person and this person... isn't a suspect anymore, then they keep looking. And that means there's still opportunity, right?” – Dr. Sherry Schwartz [34:14]
    • “What a roller coaster of emotions for this family...” – Eric Faddis [36:41]
• Importance of Perseverance:
  • Panel reflects on staying vigilant and why hope must remain alive, especially for the family.

6. Additional Investigative Developments & Theories [37:26–54:00+]

• Door-to-Door and Terrain Searches:
  • Intensive searches in rugged terrain, targeting roadside areas and the neighborhood of Nancy Guthrie’s daughter, Annie.
• Detainment of Similar-Looking Individual:
  • Delivery man Carlo Palazzo was mistakenly detained due to resemblance; later cleared.
    • “I didn't do anything, to be honest. Like, I'm innocent.” – Carlo Palazzo [41:49]
• Analysis of Porch Video:
  • Noted inconsistencies: suspect at times wears a backpack and/or gun, at other times neither.
  • Theories:
    • Two-person involvement likely to abduct an elderly woman surreptitiously.
    • Vehicle parked nearby, perhaps an accomplice waiting [43:10–45:01].
• Porch Camera Recovery and Evidence Chain:
  • Nest Cam footage was recovered with help from the FBI Cellular Analysis Survey team, contrary to initial sheriff statements.
    • “CAST was definitely an integral part in that aspect.” – Scott Eicher [53:06]
  • Possible yet unreleased audio from porch camera; hope for further clues.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On procedural missteps:
  • “If they're doing this now, why now and not 12 days ago? ...This would seem to be something crime scene specialists would do on the first or possibly second day.” – Eric Faddis [07:24]
• On perseverance:
  • “You never know who might hear something, who might see something... staying vigilant, staying engaged, and helping to bring Nancy Guthrie home.” – Dr. Sherry Schwartz [35:23]
• On DNA evidence parallels:
  • “Think about Brian Kohberger... just that much (DNA), and no, Kohberger did not have a record, so you couldn't compare it to DNA already in the system... It just takes one.” – Nancy Grace [23:40]
• On the impact of family appeals:
  • “You're sending a message to the potential kidnappers that this, this person has family, has kids, is a loved one... hopefully that preserve her and make sure that she stays alive.” – Scott Eicher [16:45]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Forensic tent & evidence recovery: [01:14–09:35]
• Surveillance video discussion: [09:35–13:17]
• Family/emotional video, public engagement: [13:17–17:38]
• Discovery and analysis of gloves: [18:49–31:23]
• Emotional setbacks, perseverance: [31:23–37:26]
• Massive search details and neighborhood canvassing: [37:26–40:52]
• False suspect detainment (Carlo Palazzo): [40:52–42:02]
• Porch video analysis, theories: [42:08–49:27]
• Porch cam tech, Nest/Google involvement: [49:27–54:00]
• Call to action/closing: [54:54–end]

Style & Tone

The atmosphere is both urgent and empathetic, balancing forensics-driven analysis with authentic emotional support for the Guthrie family. Nancy Grace maintains her trademark tenacity, pushing experts for specifics and highlighting both investigative process and human cost.

Conclusion / Call to Action

The panel reinforces the need for community vigilance, reviewing of home footage, and sharing of information to help solve the case. The episode closes with a direct plea for listeners to come forward with any tips that could help in the search for Nancy Guthrie.

If you have information, contact:

• FBI tip line: 1-800-225-5324
• Anonymous tips: 520-882-7463