Crime Stories with Nancy Grace

Episode: SAVANNAH GUTHRIE MOM MISSING: TMZ RECEIVES NEW EMAIL

Release Date: February 14, 2026
Host: Nancy Grace
Podcast: iHeartPodcasts and CrimeOnline

Episode Overview

This episode delves into the ongoing investigation into the abduction of Nancy Guthrie, the mother of television journalist Savannah Guthrie. Thirteen days into her disappearance, a new “missive” (email) was received, this time sent to TMZ by someone claiming to know the kidnapper’s identity. Nancy and her expert panel examine this correspondence, law enforcement tensions, details of the forensic investigation, and the broader psychological and behavioral aspects surrounding such a rare and disturbing crime. Throughout, Nancy emphasizes the urgency and agony felt by the Guthrie family.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Sheriff-Family Dynamics and New Claims

• Sheriff Chris Nanos has been under scrutiny for his handling of the case and was quoted saying Savannah Guthrie told him, “she has her own people and didn’t need him” ([02:44]).
  • He maintains that the family has been cooperative but notes, "no one is really ever ruled out" as of now ([03:22]).
• Family Under the Microscope: Speculation and public scrutiny of the Guthrie family continues, with law enforcement cautioning against accusing anyone without facts.

2. Bombshell: The Third Missive Sent to TMZ

• Dave Mack (Crime Stories Investigative Reporter) breaks down the third email received by TMZ ([03:54]):
  • The sender claims knowledge of Nancy Guthrie’s location and requests:
    • $100,000 – to be delivered in Bitcoin in two $50,000 installments.
    • Delivery method: First payment for the kidnapper’s name, second installment after arrest.
    • He alleges the reward was doubled to $100,000 “to discredit me.”
  • This suggests the possibility of accomplices.
  • The sender refuses to contact law enforcement and insists on using TMZ as an intermediary, citing distrust: “You don’t trust me, I don’t trust you.”

Notable Quote:

“He’s using TMZ as an intermediary, telling authorities, ‘You don’t trust me, I don’t trust you.’”
— Dave Mack ([04:22])

• The email refers to the “current state” of Nancy Guthrie but gives no details; it is unclear if she is alive ([05:28]).

3. Law Enforcement Response to the Email

• Scott Eicher, Former FBI Agent:

  • Notes that attention-seeking hoaxers are common in high-profile cases.
  • Warns about “taking investigative resources away” from meaningful leads ([07:46]).
  • Suggests many such tips are distractions: “You’re taking investigative resources away from what they should be doing..." ([07:54])

• Josh Colesrude (Criminal Defense Attorney):

  • Points out the legal risks the email sender faces, referencing similar charges against Derek Colella, another alleged hoaxer ([08:19]).
  • Emphasizes until proven false, every tip must be tracked down.
  • Questions why the sender doesn’t use “silent witness” tip line if he wants the reward ([08:57]).

Notable Exchange:

Nancy Grace: “You take your witness as you find them. This guy may be a nut in the vernacular, but what if he does know something?... It would make sense that...the actual perps [are] hanging out with...Not the law and orderly type, but a guy like this.”
— Nancy Grace ([10:08])

Josh Colesrude: “They need to investigate him for a crime that is, you know, giving false information or a false ransom note...Until we find out one way or another whether he is legitimate or not legitimate.”
— Josh Colesrude ([11:37])

4. Psychological Profile of the Email Sender

• Dr. Bethany Marshall (Psychoanalyst):
  • Suggests the tone (“give me 50k but I won’t spend it...” “the reward was doubled to discredit me”) is shallow and immature.
  • Proposes the sender is “just the right amount of wrong” — likely a younger male, immature, who may be excited or fixated on the crime ([15:43]).
  • Urges listeners to look for someone obsessively talking about the case: “...anybody who has a family member, male, a teenager, 20-something...constantly talking about this crime...” ([16:44])

5. Tracking Down Hoaxers vs. Chasing Real Leads

• Brian Fitzgibbons, Security Expert:

  • Argues it's worth tracking down the emailer to either “eliminate this as authentic” or prosecute another hoaxer ([17:53]).
  • Cites FBI intent to “throw the book” at previous hoaxer Derek Colella to deter future pranks ([18:38]).

• Nancy Grace impassionedly reminds listeners: the priority is Nancy Guthrie’s life and the suffering of her family ([19:17]).

Notable Quote:

“That is a tick, a parasite sucking the blood out of the family and law enforcement trying to bring Nancy Guthrie home.”
— Nancy Grace ([20:41])

6. Forensic Controversy: DNA Evidence & The Glove Narrative

• DNA Evidence Sent to a Private Lab:

  • Sheriff Nanos chose a Florida private lab for DNA analysis instead of FBI Quantico, sparking a “feud.”
  • Over $200,000 in county funds reportedly spent; uncertainty surrounds whether DNA originated from inside the house or porch ([23:10]).

• Glove Narrative:

  • Initial accounts said a glove was found in the house; now walked back — currently, only gloves on the roadside are confirmed ([24:03], [33:45]).

• Forensic Expert Joseph Scott Morgan:

  • Explains the complexity of extracting and interpreting “touch DNA,” especially from gloves.
  • Importance of isolating mixed DNA and the value of sweat (vs. mere skin contact) inside gloves ([25:34]).
  • Stresses the need for consistency and high forensic standards; expresses misgivings about not using Quantico.

  Notable Quote:

  “You’re talking about two different types of a potential DNA here... sweat that could be inside of this glove...that’s very, very important here in how it’s handled, how it’s packaged on the front end, how it’s delivered.”
  — Joseph Scott Morgan ([27:56])

7. Conflicting Communication from Law Enforcement

• Confusion worsened by shifting statements from Sheriff Nanos about the presence and importance of gloves found ([33:45]).
• Nancy and panel criticize this erratic communication as detrimental to public confidence.

Notable Quote:

“Why would you say that as if it doesn’t matter where I send it? It may not even be relevant...That does not instill confidence.”
— Nancy Grace ([37:59])

8. Public’s Role: Surveillance and Community Tips

• Authorities are encouraging anyone within two miles of the incident to check doorbell cameras and home surveillance, especially for sightings of a grey truck ([39:42]).
• A video circulating on social media of a man fiddling with a door cam at 5 AM, a week before the abduction, was highlighted as potentially significant.

“Everyone within that two mile circumference...please check your videos, check your door cams, everything you’ve got.”
— Nancy Grace ([39:51])

9. Rarity and Profile of Ransom Kidnapping

• Kidnappings for arbitrary ransom (not drugs, not cartel) are extremely rare in the United States, especially involving elderly individuals ([21:48]).
• “Most of those were drug related...So in this type situation where we’ve got an elderly female...this is very unusual.”
  — Scott Eicher ([21:48])

10. Behavioral Clues About the Perpetrator

• Dr. Marshall emphasizes the sort of mentality able to keep an elderly woman captive sees the victim not as a person, but a means to an end — a pawn ([41:18], [43:18]).
• Family, neighbors, partners should look for:
  • Preoccupation with the case, excited/boastful talk about ransom or news.
  • Promises of wealth, or other signs someone is expecting to “come into money.”
  • A lack of genuine empathy; excitement rather than concern ([44:17]).

Notable Quote:

“If there is empathy in the conversation, that’s not a perpetrator. If there’s lack of empathy, then that is a possible suspect.”
— Dr. Bethany Marshall ([46:08])

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• “He’s using TMZ as an intermediary, telling authorities, ‘You don’t trust me, I don’t trust you.”
  — Dave Mack ([04:22])
• “This reminds me of the media campaign for the Cosmopolitan in Vegas. Their tagline is just the right amount of wrong, which is what this guy is, just the right amount of wrong.”
  — Dr. Bethany Marshall ([15:43])
• “That is a tick, a parasite sucking the blood out of the family and law enforcement.”
  — Nancy Grace ([20:41])

Timestamps of Key Segments

• [02:12] - Nancy Grace introduces the breaking news and background.
• [03:54] - Dave Mack details the third email sent to TMZ.
• [07:46] - Scott Eicher (FBI) on resource drain caused by false leads.
• [08:19] - Legal perspective on hoaxers and chargeable offenses.
• [15:43] - Dr. Bethany Marshall psychological profile of the email sender.
• [17:53] - Brian Fitzgibbons: Law enforcement’s need to “eliminate or prosecute” tipster.
• [23:10] - Forensic feud: DNA sent to private Florida lab instead of Quantico, glove controversy.
• [25:34] - Joseph Scott Morgan on touch DNA, gloves, and evidence handling.
• [33:45] - Public confusion: conflicting law enforcement statements about gloves.
• [39:42] - Social media video of man tampering with door cam highlighted.
• [41:18] - Dr. Bethany Marshall on type of person who could imprison an elderly woman.
• [44:17] - Behavioral clues for family, neighbors to watch for.

Action Item

If you have any information about Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance, call the tip line at 800-225-5324 or 520-882-7463. Anonymity is available.

Tone & Style

• Urgent, analytical, compassionate: Nancy Grace relentlessly keeps the human cost front and center, even as the experts tackle technical details.
• Candid, sometimes blunt: Frequent use of rhetorical questions and first-person comments (“Who do you think the defendant is hanging around with?”).
• Detailed and sometimes skeptical: Panel members do not shy from criticizing law enforcement mishandling or inconsistent PR.

Summary

Nancy Grace’s “Crime Stories” leverages her prosecutorial and media experience to scrutinize every angle of the Nancy Guthrie abduction. The episode exposes the latest developments (including suspect communications sent to TMZ), dissects technical and psychological evidence, criticizes official missteps, and pleads with the public to assist in tracking down leads. Throughout, the agony of the Guthrie family is kept front and center, serving as a constant reminder of the real life at stake.