Crime Stories with Nancy Grace

Episode: Savannah Guthrie’s Mom Missing Day 10: Video, Pix of Masked Intruder Emerge

Date: February 10, 2026
Host: Nancy Grace
Panelists:

• Dave Mack (Crime Online reporter)
• Lee Neubecker (Digital Forensics Expert, Enigma Forensics)
• Cheryl McCollum (Cold Case Investigative Research Institute)
• Chris McDonough (Director, Cold Case Foundation, former homicide detective)

Episode Overview

In this episode, Nancy Grace and an expert panel dissect new video and images of the intruder connected to the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, mother of Savannah Guthrie, on day 10 of the ongoing investigation. The group closely analyzes the masked suspect’s attire, actions, and items—searching for clues in the hope of a breakthrough. Nancy also discusses investigative progress, emerging forensic details, and heartfelt pleas from the Guthrie family for public assistance.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Breakdown of the Newly-Released Video Evidence

Timestamps: [00:00] – [12:34]

• Nancy describes the suspect: gloves “look to be latex… thicker latex” ([00:25]) and wearing a full ski mask, backpack, neck covered, and possibly a gun tucked into their waistband ([01:05]).
• The suspect moves with intent: “He came prepared. Full on ski mask, wrists covered, face covered... Trying to cover the nest camera, the door cam.” (Nancy, [01:24])
• Observations about suspect’s efforts to cover the security camera using foliage, aiming to avoid identification.

2. Identification and Profile of the Suspect

Timestamps: [02:45] – [09:14]

• Dave Mack notes apparent facial hair under the mask, suggesting a mustache and chin hair ([02:45]).
• Nancy hypothesizes about suspect’s appearance: “It almost looks feminine. But apparently… you see facial hair... looks like brunette facial hair.” ([01:55]), but “Statistically, this is a man and it’s a freaky white man. Statistically, that’s exactly what it is.” ([06:07])
• Experts believe the person is male and likely white, with height 5’11”–6’2”. Lee Neubecker highlights analyzing bricks and shoeprints for more accuracy ([04:45], [06:41]).

3. Suspect’s Preparation & “Kill Kit” Theory

Timestamps: [08:04] – [17:40]

• Cheryl McCollum theorizes about the suspect’s full, tight backpack: “That's a kit... This is not some pro... Look at the odd placement of this weapon. Everything is just really unusual.” ([08:04])
• Both Nancy and Cheryl stress the bag was not for robbery: “He’s got a backpack full of whatever he’s going to use…” (Cheryl, [08:44])
• “Whatever was in that bag assisted him in getting her out of that house while bleeding. That was his goal. This was targeted.” (Cheryl, [17:20])

4. Technical Forensic Insights

Timestamps: [10:24] – [29:22]

• Chris McDonough points out suspect is right-handed based on gun positioning ([10:24], [14:49]).

• Detailed analysis of light sources seen in the video: It may be a “bite a light” flashlight in the suspect’s mouth, illuminating his work ([22:27]–[25:00]).

  • “There’s a device called a bite a light... You can bite with your teeth to turn it on or off.” (Lee, [23:52])

• Shoe print analysis: Both McDonough and Neubecker urge law enforcement to compare shoeprints to brick sizes for possible manufacturer and buyer trace ([19:06], [21:24]).

• Amazon and retail purchase records for distinctive gear (gloves, backpack, holster) could be checked (“Once you get two of those, you can start to search… shoes are the easiest thing” —Lee, [20:02]).

5. Crime Scene Evidence and Analysis

Timestamps: [29:22]–[34:24]

• Cheryl and Nancy differ in their reading of blood drops at the door:

  • Nancy: “She’s on blood thinner… anything could have made her start bleeding…” ([31:45])
  • Cheryl: “That looks like medium to high velocity… If you look down toward the bottom, there is a clear transfer print.” ([33:37])

• Both agree there are no apparent drag marks suggesting Guthrie walked out or was helped rather than carried ([33:37], [34:24]).

6. Investigation Updates & Family’s Response

Timestamps: [17:40], [25:59]–[36:22]

• Buccal (cheek-swab) DNA samples are being collected from all household workers (pool guy, gardener, housekeeper), and it's assumed the family has already submitted swabs ([25:59]–[27:21]).
• No one in the Guthrie family or their circle recognizes the perpetrator ([17:40]).
• Ransom was paid per the suspect’s instructions, but as of recording, Guthrie had not been returned ([27:21]).
• FBI and family hope the public can recognize “the face, the gait, the clothing, but the backpack, anything about them” ([17:40]).
• Plea from Savannah Guthrie and family: “We are at an hour of desperation. If you know or think you know anything about the case, please call…” ([36:22]).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On the Suspect’s Demeanor, Preparation, and Evidence

• “He came prepared. Full on ski mask, wrists covered, face covered, hands covered. Trying to cover the nest camera, the door cam. This could be the break we’ve all been waiting for.” —Nancy Grace ([01:24])
• “I want to talk about that a second because that backpack is full. It is tight with items. That's a kit. That's not somebody that went there to commit a burglary.” —Cheryl McCollum ([08:14])
• “She may have had a heart attack. She wakes up and sees that. That looks like a white guy to me. A white guy right there. You can’t see it. It almost looks feminine. But apparently in some of the pictures, you see facial hair over the lip.” —Nancy Grace ([01:52])
• “This gentleman is very, very comfortable doing what he's doing here... fact that he's coming there, you know, with a kill kit, potentially, you know, within that bag.” —Chris McDonough ([29:24])

On Forensics and Tracing Evidence

• “You could take a screenshot of that…do a Google image search…And you might be able to find the same item. But the shoes are going to be the easiest one to match because the patterns on the bottom of shoes are fairly unique.” —Lee Neubecker ([21:24])
• “There’s a device called a bite a light... You can bite with your teeth to turn it on or turn it off.” —Lee Neubecker ([23:52])
• “He did not have to do all of that and then carry more items with him inside the house and make an 84 year old woman bleed. He went there to do violence, he went there to do harm.” —Cheryl McCollum ([17:18])

On the Family’s Plea

• “We need your help. Law enforcement is working tirelessly… She was taken and we don't know where and we need your help. So I'm coming on just to ask you, not just for your prayers, but no matter where you are…if you see anything, if you hear anything, if there's anything at all that seems strange to you, that you report to law enforcement.” —Savannah Guthrie ([36:22])

Investigative Frustration

• “The scene was left unsecured. People walked up and took pictures of it. That’s where these pictures came from. Totally unacceptable for the crime scene to have been cleared with the blood still there, for Pete’s sake.” —Nancy Grace ([34:24])

Important Timestamps by Segment

| Segment | Content Summary | Timestamp | |---------|--------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------| | 1. | First video and suspect description | 00:00 – 02:54 | | 2. | Suspect’s gender/appearance debate; DNA swabbing | 02:54 – 06:41 | | 3. | Forensic camera/shoe analysis | 06:41 – 10:24 | | 4. | Panel analyses backpack contents, suspect prep | 08:04 – 17:40 | | 5. | Gun handling, right-handed suspect, behavioral cues | 10:24 – 14:49 | | 6. | Evidence tracing: gear, purchases, digital forensics | 19:06 – 23:52 | | 7. | “Bite a light” theory, light sources in footage | 22:27 – 25:00 | | 8. | Debris & blood evidence at crime scene | 29:22 – 34:24 | | 9. | Family’s plea for information, case urgency | 36:22 – End |

Takeaways

• The new video provides the most substantial leads to date: a well-prepared, masked suspect with a packed backpack and distinctive gear, moving purposefully—as if on a mission rather than opportunistic burglary.
• Technical experts stress the value of analyzing items—backpack, gloves, shoes, mask, and possibly a flashlight in the mouth.
• The blood and debris evidence is ambiguous, but panelists agree it points more to a targeted abduction than a random crime.
• Despite the release of images and video clips, no one in Nancy Guthrie's circle recognizes the perpetrator, signaling the need for public involvement.
• The Guthrie family, led by Savannah, issues an emotional, urgent appeal for help, emphasizing time is running out and every clue counts.

If you have any information, call: 1-800-225-5324 or 520-882-7463.

The investigation continues with hope hinging on the public's ability to recognize the perpetrator from the new evidence.