Crime Stories with Nancy Grace

Episode: Savannah Guthrie Mom Missing: Day 6

Release Date: February 6, 2026

Episode Overview

In this emotionally charged episode, Nancy Grace investigates the ongoing disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of NBC’s Savannah Guthrie, now missing for six days. The episode centers on the latest developments, public pleas from the Guthrie family, analysis of crime scene evidence, and debates on investigative procedures. Grace is joined by an expert panel: crime reporter Dave Mack, forensic analyst Jeffrey Gentry, digital crime expert Todd Shipley, and former homicide detective Chris McDonough. The discussion blends technical detail with compassion, driving home the urgency and complexity of this high-profile case.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Family’s Heartbreaking Plea and Emotional Toll

• Cameron Guthrie’s Direct Appeal:
  • [03:59] Cameron Guthrie (audio statement): “Whoever is out there holding our mother, we want to hear from you. We haven’t heard anything directly. We need you to reach out and we need a way to communicate with you so we can move forward. But first, we have to know that you have our mom. We want to talk to you and we are waiting for contact.”
• Nancy Grace underscores the emotional devastation seen in Savannah, Annie, and Cameron, and rebuffs speculation that any family member could be involved in the disappearance.

The Ransom Note(s) and False Leads

• Timeline & Demands:

  • [02:45] The first ransom note issued a demand for 5pm with a threat, followed by a subsequent ultimatum two days later.
  • [36:00] Multiple fake ransom notes (including at least one resulting in an arrest) have “bogged down” the investigation, consuming law enforcement resources.

• Interstate Commerce Law:

  • [34:43] Nancy Grace explains how sending ransom demands across state lines—via text—qualifies for prosecution under federal law:
    • “When this guy sent a text across US Airwaves to Savannah for a ransom, which is a violation of the law, that's interstate commerce... That’s how they got the guy arrested in California so quickly.”

Crime Scene Evidence and Analysis

• House Entry Timeline & Camera Removal:

  • [06:35] The timeline is critical; the perpetrator removed the front door camera mere minutes after Nancy Guthrie returned home, suggesting deliberate planning.
  • The door camera disconnects, followed by a 20-minute gap, a spike in Guthrie’s pacemaker at 2am, and then no further direct evidence.

• Forced Entry and Forensic Mistakes:

  • [24:28] Forensic analyst Jeffrey Gentry explains:
    • “They took things from the home, like the camera. They made mistakes by leaving blood stains behind... Every single contact leaves a trace—that’s one of the foundations of forensic science.”
  • Detailed recommendations to recreate the perpetrator’s path through the house, looking for trace evidence.

• Bloodstain Interpretation:

  • [42:00] Gentry elaborates on blood evidence outside the home:
    • “Those are 90 degree blood stains, indicating that they were created when somebody is standing upright and bleeding... If she did fall and was injured in some way, I don’t see any transfer stains.”
  • [44:17] Gravel disturbances and blood into blood patterns suggest Nancy was upright, guided (or supported) out the door, possibly indicating two perpetrators.

Technology, Polygraphs, and Investigative Tools

• Use of Celebrite/Ufed Device:

  • [09:46] Chris McDonough breaks down its use: “It’s a mobile device that you can bring to a particular scene... able to download forensics evidence... from devices such as computers or phones.”
  • [11:38] Nancy Grace strongly advocates that every person close to the victim should submit to a polygraph, expanding the net to housekeepers, delivery people, and even “the Sunday school teacher.”
  • [12:46] McDonough notes the presence of an Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) unit at the scene is unusual, possibly relating to a parallel digital investigation.

• Phone and Camera Data:

  • [17:57-21:11] Todd Shipley explains law enforcement may have focused on the family’s electronics not just to search for nefarious activity, but because modern devices and apps (like Ring, Lyft, Uber, or Life360) can share location and surveillance data across multiple family members’ phones.

• License Plate Readers & Surveillance:

  • [23:00, 37:28-38:48] “Old school meets new school”: License plate readers, red-light cameras, technology data dumps, and traditional neighborhood canvassing all play crucial roles.

• Issues with Security Camera Footage:

  • [49:27] Dave Mack reports that while cameras were installed inside the home, their subscription only kept footage for eight hours; by the time police responded, no relevant footage remained.

Motive, Suspect Profile, and Victimology

• Expert Suspicions & Motive:
  • [39:22] Nancy Grace: “The motive is clear. Have I missed something? They said give me millions in bitcoin, quote, or else. I think that's the motive which leads me to: has anybody hit Nancy Guthrie or her family up for money?”
  • [39:57] Chris McDonough advises not to rule out any suspect profile. However, he believes perpetrator likely crossed paths with Ms. Guthrie: “There is an association between the victim and this offender. And to your point, Nancy, somewhere in this circle of influence... this offender is familiar.”

Search Efforts and Forensic Challenges

• Release and Re-entry of the Crime Scene:

  • [33:25] Experts criticize police for releasing the crime scene “prematurely,” exposing it to contamination. Nancy Grace: “You ever tried to try a case when the scene’s been compromised? It’s hell. It’s like the golden lottery ticket for the defense.”

• Physical Search and Tracking Methods:

  • [50:20] Drawing from previous cases, Nancy advocates for the use of canines – both tracking and cadaver dogs.
  • [50:49] Chris McDonough affirms that U.S. Customs and Border Patrol K9s are trained specifically for these scenarios: “The fact that those dogs are there, Nancy, they’re really stepping it up because those dogs are really super good at what they do.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

“When I look at those three, I just don’t see it. Or maybe I’m blind, but I’m rejecting that.”
— Nancy Grace, on the possibility of family involvement [06:35]

“Every single contact leaves a trace—that’s one of the foundations of forensic science.”
— Jeffrey Gentry, forensic analyst [24:28]

“I do not believe at this juncture that that is the case here. I want to defend them.”
— Nancy Grace, defending the Guthrie family from suspicion [10:19]

“All the communication is one way. It’s coming from the kidnappers to them. They have no way of contacting the kidnapper or kidnappers at this point.”
— Dave Mack [05:32]

“[The UfED] can get deleted texts, emails, IMs. It can get encrypted.”
— Nancy Grace [10:13]

“If you’re not willing to take a polygraph, to hay with you—you’re now on the suspect list.”
— Nancy Grace [48:41]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [03:59] – Cameron Guthrie’s plea
• [06:35] – Discussion of family involvement and camera removal timeline
• [09:46] – Explaining Celebrite/Ufed in crime scene investigation
• [11:38] – Nancy Grace calls for mass polygraphs
• [17:57-21:11] – Digital evidence: apps, sharing, and data collection explained
• [24:28] – Forensic approach to the scene; every contact leaves a trace
• [33:25] – Debate about premature crime scene release
• [34:43] – Law and fake ransom notes; interstate commerce crimes
• [36:00] – Media attention hindering investigation; fake ransom note arrest
• [37:28-38:48] – Old school investigative methods
• [42:00-44:17] – Bloodstain and gravel evidence analysis
• [46:35-48:01] – Pacemaker as evidence and its limitations
• [49:27] – Failure of home camera system to retain evidence
• [50:20-51:26] – Use of K9 units in ongoing search efforts
• [52:40] – Call to the public for tips and FBI reward announcement

Conclusion & Calls to Action

The episode closes with a recap of the active investigation: new ransom correspondence is under review, the crime scene is being revisited, and there is an urgent call for information to the public. Nancy Grace repeatedly emphasizes the power of traditional police work, digital forensics, and community vigilance—all while keeping the hope for Nancy Guthrie’s safe return alive.

If you have information about Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance:

• Call the FBI: 1-800-CALL-FBI
• Pima County (anonymous): 520-882-7463
• $50,000 reward for leads leading to recovery and conviction

Final Thought from Nancy Grace:

“Please, again tonight, join us in prayer for the safe return of Nancy Guthrie.” [52:40]