Crime Stories with Nancy Grace

Episode Summary: "Savannah Guthrie Mom Missing: Day 38"

Date: March 10, 2026
Host: Nancy Grace

Overview

This episode zeroes in on the ongoing search for Nancy Guthrie—the mother of NBC anchor Savannah Guthrie—now missing for 38 days. Nancy Grace convenes a panel of law enforcement veterans, crime scene experts, and investigative reporters to dissect recent developments in the case: a reported sighting “south of the border,” emerging criticisms and lawsuits against Sheriff Nanos, forensic processing of Annie Guthrie’s car, tracking potential digital evidence, and the status of DNA findings within the Guthrie home.

Nancy Grace’s signature prosecutorial rigor drives the conversation, demanding clarity and action amid swirling rumors, online speculation, and pressure from national media coverage.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Alleged Sighting of Nancy Guthrie in Mexico

• Details of the Tip

  • An email tip, received by TMZ, claims Nancy Guthrie was seen in Mexico “south of the border.”
  • The tip demanded a ransom of one bitcoin (~$69,954), substantially less than the $1.2M reward.

• Skepticism and Law Enforcement Protocols

  • Brian Fitzgibbons (Director of Operations, USPA Nationwide Security):
    “Genuine tips at this stage of an investigation are generally asking for that full reward...one bitcoin raises an immediate red flag.” [07:24]
    • Law enforcement’s first step: trace the tip's digital source—IP, email, etc.
  • Nancy Grace:
    “Who do you think the kidnapper hangs around with? Nuns and priests and virgins? No. Somebody just like him.” [08:29]
    • Despite skepticism, investigators must follow up on all leads.
  • Dave Mack (Investigative Reporter):
    “No proof of life. It was just something added to the email…an effort to get money.” [04:32]

• Defining "South of the Border"

  • Kurt Dab (Former Pima County Homicide Detective):
    “To me, it would be directly south, somewhere in Sonora…Rocky Point, AKA Puerto Pinasco, maybe even...Tijuana.” [13:43]
  • FBI now leads a multi-agency task force cooperating with local detectives.

2. Lawsuit and Reality Show: Is Sheriff Nanos Distracted?

• $1 Million Lawsuit
  • Former inmate alleges negligent COVID protocols in the jail under Nanos’ watch.
  • Nancy Grace:
    “Even if it is meritless, you still have to pay thousands and thousands of dollars…He’s got that hanging over his head.” [17:22]
• Media Distraction
  • Fusion of high-profile investigation and Nanos’ participation in the reality show Desert Law (A&E) raises questions on focus.
  • Dave Mack:
    “Coverage of Nancy Guthrie’s case going nationwide, internationally is actually causing a bump in the ratings for the show.” [18:21]

3. Annie Guthrie’s Car: Investigation, Rumors, and Forensic Process

• Rumors and Online Speculation
  • Annie Guthrie (Savannah Guthrie’s sister) and her husband have faced allegations due to confusion around her car.
  • Nancy Grace:
    “Many people claiming she’s actually the porch guy…A lot of unfounded claims.” [18:28]
• Forensic Actions Taken
  • Dave Mack:
    “Annie Guthrie’s car was taken by the sheriff’s department and has been searched. …It is at the auto mechanic right now...being put back together.” [19:13]
  • Car was “torn down” for exhaustive evidence search: DNA, trace fibers, soil, tire impressions.
    • Kurt Dab:
      “In seven years in homicide…we never took something and then fixed it and gave it back to people…That’s a little weird.” [22:30]
  • Scott Eicher (Digital Forensics Expert):
    “It is meticulous. …They’re looking for everything: DNA, hair, fibers, everything.” [27:52]
  • Brian Fitzgibbons:
    “Pima County has been under a lot of pressure...they’re not going to give up this vehicle until they’re 100% sure they’re done with it.” [30:19]

4. The Hearing Aid: Can It Be Tracked?

• Potential for Digital Location
  • Guthrie is speculated to have worn Bluetooth-enabled hearing aids—with a spare pair left behind.
  • Scott Eicher:
    “It’s Bluetooth-connected…You can get a signal with some special antennas, but it’s very short range and will not last very long…Surprisingly, if those hearing aids would still be working.” [31:56]
  • Modern hearing aids may provide historical location data if paired with a smartphone and the battery was active.
    • Nancy Grace:
      “Many modern hearing aids can be tracked using your smartphone app plus Bluetooth…They can provide GPS location data even when they are out of range, provided the app was paired.” [33:00]
    • Scott Eicher:
      “Not all hearing aids have GPS…Most of them are just Bluetooth.” [35:53]
    • Nancy Grace:
      “You can find your lost suitcase all around the world. So if that’s Bluetooth, how does that work?” [36:41]
    • Scott Eicher:
      “Bluetooth is short range…but there’s a lot of Bluetooth capture devices [in places like airports].” [36:56]

5. DNA, Forensic Evidence, and Lab Delays

• Stranger DNA Found Inside the Guthrie Residence
  • Not a family member or nanny; source remains unidentified.
  • Tammy Ballard (Crime Scene Consultant & DNA Expert):
    “The laboratory is no doubt still evaluating additional samples. …There’s a lot of complexity involved to make sure that you’re really identifying a potential perpetrator.” [41:52]
• Exclusion of a Found Glove
  • A glove found 2.5 miles from the home was quickly excluded—DNA linked to a restaurant worker.
  • Ballard:
    “They definitely have more information that they’re not providing to the public…that they can make those statements and now exclude that individual.” [43:31]
• Genetic Genealogy and Data Bank Complexities
  • If genetic genealogy is underway, it signals no CODIS (national database) hit.
  • The Arizona State Database and local databases allow lower-stringency DNA profiles, quickening some searches.
    • Ballard:
      “State database has less individuals, allows for more ambiguity…so there’s more potential for a hit in those state databases.” [45:13]
    • On timing:
      "If genealogy is going on, that means that there are some good samples that were put forward … but it can take a long time.” [47:16]

6. Criticism of Law Enforcement and Resource Limits

• Delay Bringing in the FBI
  • Kurt Dab:
    “The expertise with kidnapping obviously lies with the FBI. I think that’s one of the missteps that Sheriff Nanos made and not contacting them originally...” [49:56]
• Lack of Trained Personnel
  • Only 101 of 196 patrol deputies are fully off probation/trained in Pima County.
  • Dab:
    “It leaves you with a lot of inexperienced initial responders to a call like this…that’s where the mistakes occurred early on.” [50:53]
  • Despite this, he and Nancy Grace defend the sincere efforts of patrol officers:
    “I don’t want their efforts to be sullied.” [51:41]

7. Digital Forensics – The Ongoing Search

• Scott Eicher:
  • Investigators continue reviewing digital evidence: phone data, car GPS, video, Bluetooth trackers.
  • “Every time they get some new lead, they’re going to get some new digital data…that’s tough work trying to identify the cars that are passing by so fast at night.” [53:26]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Nancy Grace:

  • “She would not wrap arm around a guy that she suspected in her mother’s kidnap.” [03:39]
  • “I guarantee you the FBI has been 3 inches up all of these children’s tailpipes.” [31:03]
  • “If you miss something—technical, legal term—you’re screwed.” [29:46]

• Brian Fitzgibbons:

  • “There’s a 1.2 plus million dollar reward out there. Genuine tips at this stage…are generally asking for that full reward.” [07:24]

• Dave Mack:

  • “It was not a proof of life. It was merely something added to the email and it was sent in an effort to get money.” [04:32]

• Kurt Dab:

  • “…The department is this depleted. And what it leaves you is a lot of inexperienced initial responders to a call like this…that’s where the mistakes…occurred early on.” [50:53]

• Tammy Ballard:

  • “There’s a lot of complexity involved to make sure that you’re really identifying a potential perpetrator…” [41:52]
  • “If genealogy is going on, it’s happening on a very big team approach.” [47:16]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Alleged Sighting in Mexico & Ransom Email: 04:32 – 13:00
• Law Enforcement Criticisms; Nanos Lawsuit & Reality Show: 15:48 – 18:29
• Annie Guthrie’s Car – Evidence Process & Rumors: 18:28 – 22:30
• Car Forensics Detailing: 26:53 – 30:51
• Family Members as Suspects Online: 30:51 – 31:03
• Hearing Aid Digital Evidence: 31:56 – 36:56, 40:01 – 40:27
• DNA, Biology, and Genealogy Discussions: 41:52 – 49:40
• Dept Missteps, Resource Issues: 49:56 – 52:13
• Digital Data, Phone & Vehicle Forensics: 53:12 – 54:13

Conclusion

Nancy Grace’s episode dissects every hiccup, rumor, and forensic process in the hunt for Nancy Guthrie. It exposes both the strengths and failings of law enforcement—from overburdened, inexperienced local agencies to methodological forensic diligence and the promise (and pitfalls) of technology. The panel leaves listeners with a sense that while the maze is complex and beset by distraction, every clue and digital trail is being doggedly pursued.

Reward tip lines:

• 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324)
• 520-882-7463 (anonymous)

Quote from Nancy Grace:
“A million dollar lawsuit, a reality show, a tip claiming that Nancy Guthrie has been cited ‘south of the border.’ It’s all swirling in the search for Nancy Guthrie.” [31:03]