Crime Stories with Nancy Grace

Episode: SAVANNAH GUTHRIE MOM MISSING: DAY 9

Date: February 9, 2026
Host: Nancy Grace
Main Case: The Disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, mother of TV anchor Savannah Guthrie

Overview

Nine days into the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, aged 84 and mother of Savannah Guthrie, Nancy Grace and a panel of investigators, legal experts, and journalists break down the complex and disturbing case: from cryptic ransom notes to evolving police work, clues, and speculation about those closest to the victim. The episode’s through-line is a careful, sometimes emotional, analysis of evidence (and the lack thereof), as well as the language used in pleas and ransom communications. The pursuit of truth is balanced by caution not to further injure the family unless the facts require it.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Savannah Guthrie and Family’s Public Pleas

• The family’s televised statements have evolved from emotional appeals directly to their missing mother to more calculated, strategic messages—the latest seeking to address the kidnapper/kidnappers.
  • Nancy: “She is being directed by the feds. Her wording—'celebrate with her'—when I heard that, I nearly did a backflip because you think of celebration of life, which means somebody's dead, their life is over. But she said we can celebrate with her. I'm holding onto the with word in that message.” (03:02)
• Federal and behavioral experts are believed to be advising Savannah on every word, to avoid closing doors or giving the wrong signals.
  • “Every word has been chosen carefully. Every word.” (02:23)
• The plea now clearly states they are willing to pay ransom, confirming that the family is engaging with the kidnap scenario.

2. Ransom Notes and Communications

• First Ransom Note: Demanded $1 million, later increased to $6 million, in bitcoin, with shifting deadlines. Unusual, as these scenarios are rare and the “terms” shifting is not standard.
  • “The first ransom was for 1 million. Then it increased to 6 million.” (04:20)
  • “It's so weird in my mind … I want to believe that it's not a ransom kidnapping.” (05:15)
• Second Letter: Notably contained no new deadline, no additional demand, and crucially—no proof of life. The new note seemed to respond to the family’s pleas, but its content was so disturbing that even seasoned newsroom staff were shaken.
  • Jessica Finn (US Sun): “There’s no deadline for the new ransom note. There’s no proof of life again offered. … Staff was really upset by it.” (18:54–20:20)
  • “It’s not a ransom note because there’s no ransom asked in it.” (19:19)

3. Is it a Real Kidnapping or a Murder Masquerading as Kidnap?

• Debate arises among experts—some believe the case has shifted from a kidnapping hopeful for proof of life to likely a murder investigation, referencing the lack of evidence and irregularity of ransom communication.
  • Matt Lopez (criminal defense): “I don’t think this is a kidnapping situation. I think this is changing to a murder investigation.” (08:07)
• Nancy Grace pushes back, emphasizing the risk of adding suffering to a grieving family without facts, but acknowledges the theory must be considered, including the possibility of an inside job or someone close exploiting access.
  • “So I would look at the granny nanny, relatives, and beyond. … This is likely a white male that did it. Statistically, ransom’s rare …” (09:11)

4. The Crime Scene and Evidence

• The initial investigation missed a camera on the roof, only found later by the FBI, revealing law enforcement’s oversights—although, as panelist Scott Eicher says, such oversights are less likely when the FBI floods an area with resources:
  • “When the FBI comes in to help … we just give them tons of agents.” (23:47)
• The rooftop camera was solar powered (possibly not part of the Guthries’ NEST system) and might have captured relevant evidence. Its removal by the FBI is a hopeful lead, especially since the subscription for indoor cameras had lapsed and may have resulted in lost recordings.
  • “On the roof was a camera … the FBI removed that and quickly moved it into evidence.” (25:05)
• Technical timeline of the disappearance:
  • Pacemaker event at 2:28am, disconnected after 2am.
  • Doorbell camera disconnects at 2:12am.
  • Person detected on interior/back camera shortly after.
  • “Her cane was there. … There’s really uncontroverted evidence that she was there (at home).” (44:12)

5. Analysis of Who May Be Involved

• Extensive discussion over whether the perpetrator is a stranger or someone within the family’s extended circle—perhaps a “granny nanny,” their associates, or household help, based on knowledge of routines, cameras, and vulnerability.
  • Karen Stark: “You don’t have empathy when you’re picking an 84-year-old woman who is vulnerable and sick. You have power and you feel in control.” (11:10)
• The professional panel agrees that statistics elevate the likelihood of a personal connection between victim and perpetrator—based on comfort in the home and the risk environment.

6. Family Members and Close Contacts Investigated

• The home of Annie Guthrie, Savannah’s sister, was searched at night, with FBI taking brown bags of evidence.
  • Jessica Finn: “The FBI was at Annie Guthrie’s house … searching room by room and brought out brown paper bags after searching.” (32:52 — 34:04)
• Matt Lopez: “The closest people to Ms. Guthrie were Annie and her husband that evening.” (35:07)
• Chris McDonough suggests the search could relate to attempts to link digital communications to the suspect recently arrested in Los Angeles for a hoax ransom demand (“the crank”).
  • “How does a crank have both of their phone numbers?... They would go into Annie’s house and download any digital information because she was the point of contact from that guy and either eliminate him or put it in the circle.” (39:02)

7. Technical and Forensic Challenges

• Extensive efforts are made to retrieve digital evidence and triangulate Nancy Guthrie’s phone to verify her actual return home, which is supported by details such as her pacemaker syncing at 2am inside her house and Uber records.
  • Dave Mack: “Her pacemaker, which is in her chest, has to be connected to that home Bluetooth. … So she was there.” (44:08)
• Law enforcement searched the septic tank—not likely for a body (too small, per Nancy Grace), but possibly for flushed evidence or “just checking boxes.”
  • Matt Lopez: “If they weren’t looking for the body, they could be looking—did the perpetrator flush something down the toilet? ... But I think you just gotta check all the boxes and it was a box being checked.” (46:51)

8. Patterns in the Kidnapper’s Behavior

• The suspected kidnapper appears to delight in publicity but becomes more erratic and possibly frightened as media and law enforcement attention mounts.
  • Karen Stark: “Maybe it became too much and this person or people began to feel like they were cornered …” (47:29)
• Federal negotiating language is used in pleas to maintain rapport and not antagonize the suspect—language like “we understand” and “we want to celebrate with her.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Nancy Grace:
  • “She is being directed by the feds. Her wording—'celebrate with her'—when I heard that, I nearly did a backflip…” (03:02)
  • “Somebody within her circle that needs money and she's like a sitting duck.” (09:17)
  • “This person was in the home at least 40 minutes, not concerned that they were going to be detected. So they clearly knew she lived alone. Nobody was coming over there.” (13:12)
• Matt Lopez:
  • “I don’t think this is a kidnapping situation. I think this is changing to a murder investigation.” (08:07)
  • “The closest people to Ms. Guthrie were Annie and her husband that evening.” (35:07)
  • “If they weren’t looking for the body, they could be looking did the perpetrator flush something down the toilet?” (46:51)
• Karen Stark:
  • “You don’t have empathy when you’re picking an 84-year-old woman who is vulnerable and sick. You have power and you feel in control.” (11:10)
  • “When it comes to the second time, I’m thinking … this person or people became … frightened.” (47:29)
• Dave Mack:
  • “We know her cell phone was at home because it was found at home. … She did go back to that home. She did.” (42:41–44:08)
• Jessica Finn:
  • “There’s no deadline for the new ransom note. There’s no proof of life again offered. … Staff was really upset by it.” (18:54–20:20)
  • “The FBI was at Annie Guthrie’s house … searching room by room and brought out brown paper bags after searching.” (32:52)

Important Timestamps

• 02:09 – Savannah Guthrie’s precise plea to the kidnapper (“we will pay…so we can celebrate with her”)
• 04:20 – Ransom notes’ shifting demands and timeline
• 18:54 – Panel discusses the disturbing second (non-)ransom note
• 25:05 – Rooftop camera discovery and significance
• 31:47 – Summary of ransom notes’ impact by experts
• 32:52–34:04 – Details of FBI’s search at Annie Guthrie’s house
• 42:41–44:08 – Triangulation/pacemaker evidence confirms Nancy Guthrie made it home
• 46:51 – Reasoning for septic tank search
• 51:15 – Panel’s waning hope, parsing of Savannah’s latest message

Tone

The tone is a blend of deeply empathetic, unflinchingly analytical, and at times combative—especially when discussing internet speculation, family involvement, and the imperfections of law enforcement. Nancy Grace alternates between dogged skepticism and raw empathy, refusing to leap to conclusions while repeatedly reminding listeners of the human pain behind the case.

Conclusion

With mounting evidence, extended digital and physical searches, shifting language in public pleas, and open-ended questions about who the perpetrator might be, the panel agrees that while hope diminishes, the case is far from over. The family’s circle—and the extended orbit of helpers, friends, and acquaintances—remains under careful scrutiny, as does every bit of electronic data from Nancy Guthrie’s home.

If you have information, contact authorities at 800-225-5324 or submit anonymous tips at 520-882-7463 ($50,000 reward).

For listeners:
This episode is a meticulous dissection of breaking news, media ethics, digital forensics, and the unpredictable psychology of both victims and perpetrators. Every expert invited brings a layer of hard-won experience, and the family’s pleas, as well as the host’s own, serve as persistent reminders of the stakes: not just justice, but closure, peace, and the hope for one more celebration with a beloved mother.