Savannah Guthrie’s Tearful Plea to Her Mother’s Kidnappers: “It’s Never Too Late to Do the Right Thing” | Crime Alert 6AM 02.16.26

Summary

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Crime Stories with Nancy Grace

Episode: Savannah Guthrie’s Tearful Plea to Her Mother’s Kidnappers: “It’s Never Too Late to Do the Right Thing”
Date: February 16, 2026

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Episode Overview

In this episode, Nancy Grace covers critical updates on the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, mother of Today show host Savannah Guthrie. Now over two weeks missing, major investigative developments emerge—including DNA and blood evidence—while Savannah Guthrie’s public, emotional plea for her mother’s return takes center stage. The episode also touches on recent crime updates, including a harrowing child abuse case and a missing person tied to a possible homicide.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

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1. Nancy Guthrie Disappearance – The Investigation Deepens

• Disappearance Timeline:
  • Nancy Guthrie (84) last seen January 31, after dinner at her daughter’s home in the Catalina Foothills, Arizona.
  • Reported missing the next day after failing to attend an online church service.
• Evidence Updates:
  • [02:08] “A glove discovered Friday near Nancy Guthrie’s home in the Catalina foothills of Arizona appears to match a pair worn by a suspect captured on Guthrie’s nest doorbell camera. Investigators say the glove contains male DNA. Preliminary results are in, but the FBI says they are awaiting official confirmation...” — News Reporter
  • Blood inside the home does not match Guthrie or immediate family. Blood matching Guthrie was found outside the residence the previous week.
  • FBI Director Cash Patel released images/videos of a possible suspect, increasing public awareness.
• FBI Action:
  • Individual on video now formally a suspect.
  • Reward for information doubled to $100,000.
  • Authorities are urging the public to call 1-800-CALL-FBI or Pima County Sheriff’s Dept. with info.
  • [02:50] “Authorities are urging anyone with information, no matter how small, to come forward.” — News Reporter

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2. Savannah Guthrie’s Emotional Plea

• Public Appeal:
  • [01:00] Savannah Guthrie issues a heartfelt plea on Instagram—audio featured:
    • “It’s been two weeks since our mom was taken and I just wanted to come on and say that we still have hope and we still believe. And I wanted to say to whoever has her or knows where she is that it's never too late and you’re not lost or alone and it is never too late to do the right thing. And we are here and we believe and we believe in the essential goodness of every human being and it’s never too late.” — Savannah Guthrie
• Tone:
  • Profoundly personal, hopeful, and compassionate, pleading with any perpetrator, “It is never too late to do the right thing.”
  • Her direct appeal is a noteworthy moment, reflecting both anguish and optimism.
• Emphasis:
  • The family holds onto hope and faith in others’ goodness.
  • The message is not only to law enforcement but directly to the kidnappers or those with information.

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3. Other Crime and Justice News Highlights

Child Abuse Case in Phoenix

• [04:01] Detailed reporting on Dejaja Walker’s arrest for child abuse:
  • 3-month-old son admitted to hospital with skull fracture, brain bleeds, healing rib and leg fractures.
  • [04:50] “Walker also spoke with police claiming she was unaware of how her child sustained the injuries ... she revealed that she had stopped using [cocaine] before her child was born, but had relapsed in the last few days.” — News Reporter
  • Failed polygraph tests, confessed to being sole caregiver, tested positive for cocaine use, being held on $75,000 bond.
  • Child remains in critical condition.

Missing Person – Kimberly Moore

• [06:12] Recap of Kimberly Moore’s disappearance:
  • Moved from Dallas to Louisiana with partner Vernon Parker.
  • Parker found shot dead in car on New Year's; Moore last seen at a party the night before.
  • Police believe Moore witnessed the murder and is in danger or potentially worse.
  • Ongoing call for tips (Bienville Parish Sheriff’s: 318-263-2215).

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Savannah Guthrie’s heartfelt appeal
  [01:00]

  "We still have hope and we still believe. ... it's never too late and you're not lost or alone and it is never too late to do the right thing."
  — Savannah Guthrie

• News Reporter on Investigation
  [02:08]

  “A glove discovered Friday near Nancy Guthrie’s home ... appears to match a pair worn by a suspect captured on Guthrie’s nest doorbell camera. Investigators say the glove contains male DNA.”
  — News Reporter

• On Child Abuse Case
  [04:50]

  "Walker also spoke with police claiming she was unaware of how her child sustained the injuries ... she revealed that she had stopped using [cocaine] before her child was born, but had relapsed in the last few days."
  — News Reporter

• Nancy Grace’s Mission Statement
  [06:57]

  "Please join us for our daily podcast, Crime Stories ... where we do our best to find missing people, especially children, and help solve unsolved homicides."
  — Nancy Grace

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:34] – Show begins: Breaking story on Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance.
• [01:00] – Savannah Guthrie’s emotional Instagram plea featured.
• [02:08] – FBI announces discovery of glove, DNA evidence, latest from investigation.
• [04:01] – Phoenix child abuse case: Arrest and details.
• [06:12] – Review of Kimberly Moore disappearance, links to homicide.
• [07:19+] – (Non-content: advertisements)

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Conclusion

This episode offers a thorough and emotional overview of ongoing high-profile cases: Savannah Guthrie’s deeply personal plea for her mother’s safe return pairs with major investigative updates, keeping listeners on edge with each new revelation. Nancy Grace’s reporting is concise and diligent, expanding coverage to other pressing cases and underlining the urgency of public participation in solving crimes. The tone is urgent yet hopeful, especially in amplifying the voices and stories of victims and their families.

Transcript

[Podcast Host]

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[Nancy Grace]

Crime Alert. I'm Nancy Grace. Breaking crime news now straight out to Nicole Parton for the latest.

[News Reporter]

Our top story centers on the deeply troubling disappearance of 84 year old Nancy Guthrie, mother of Today show host Savannah Guthrie, as the search enters day 16. Over the weekend, Savannah Guthrie released an emotional message on Instagram pleading for her mother's safe return.

[Podcast Host]

It's been two weeks since our mom was taken and I just wanted to come on and say that we still have hope and we still believe. And I wanted to say to whoever has her or knows where she is that it's never too late and you're not lost or alone and it is never too late to do the right thing. And we are here and we believe and we believe in the essential goodness of every human being and it's never too late.

[News Reporter]

Nancy Also on Sunday, the FBI announced a significant development. A glove discovered Friday near Nancy Guthrie's home in the Catalina foothills of Arizona appears to match a pair worn by a suspect captured on Guthrie's nest doorbell camera Investigators say the glove contains male DNA. Preliminary results are in, but the FBI says they are awaiting official confirmation before releasing further details. Nancy Guthrie was last seen on January 31st after dinner at her daughter Annie's home. She was reported missing the next day when she failed to appear for an online church service. Earlier this week, FBI Director Cash Patel released photos and videos of a possible armed subject. By Thursday, the individual had officially been labeled a suspect. And on Friday, investigators confirmed that blood found inside Guthrie's home does not belong to her or two family members. This discovery comes on the heels of her own blood found outside the residence a week earlier. As the investigation intensifies, the FBI has doubled its reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction. That reward now stands at $100,000. Authorities are urging anyone with information, no matter how small, to come forward. If you know anything about the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, call the FBI at 1-800-call-FBI. You can also contact the Pima County Sheriff's Department at 520-3514. Nancy will continue to follow this story closely and bring you updates as they develop.

[Nancy Grace]

Nicole, thank you. More crime and justice news after this.

[News Reporter]

A woman from Phoenix was taken into custody after medical professionals found that her infant son had a skull fracture and other injuries upon his arrival at a hospital. The woman, 24 year old Dejaja Walker, was arrested on Wednesday, February 11th at a Phoenix apartment. She faces two charges of child abuse, according to local news sources. Kold this arrest follows her child, a three month old son being put in the hospital. According to court documents cited by the news outlet, the child's father noticed the baby twitching on Christmas Day which prompted him to call 91 1. The infant was admitted to Phoenix Children's Hospital where medical staff identified a right skull fracture, several brain bleeds and healing fractures in his ribs and leg. During a police interview, the child's father recounted that the baby had been in Walker's care on Christmas Eve and part of the day on Christmas. He noticed the twitching while they were celebrating the holiday at his parents home. Walker also spoke with police claiming she was unaware of how her child sustained the injuries. She admitted to using marijuana but initially denied having used cocaine. However, after a search warrant was executed, she revealed that she had stopped using the substance before her child was born, but had relapsed in the last few days. Authorities later conducted a hair test on Walker which could detect narcotic usage from the previous three months and the results came back positive for cocaine. Additionally, Walker failed to attend two scheduled polygraph tests arranged by the police. While the child's father did attend and passed his test after her arrest, Walker confessed to being the sole caregiver for the child on Christmas Eve and admitted to using cocaine with a friend 24 hours prior to the night the child was injured. Although she insisted she still doesn't know how the child received those internal severe injuries, she's currently being held on a $75,000 bond. The child still listed in critical condition.

[Nancy Grace]

Kimberly Moore moves from Dallas, Texas to Ringo, Louisiana to live with her partner Vernon Parker, just in time for Thanksgiving. The couple spends the next month settling in and they attend a New Year's Eve party together on New Year's Day. On New Year's Day, Vernon Parker is found shot dead in the back seat of his running car. The last time anyone saw Kimberly was at the party the night before. Police now believe Kimberly Moore may have witnessed Parker shooting and could be in danger or worse. Kimberly Moore, now missing over a year if you have info on Kimberly Moore, Please call Bienville Parish, Louisiana Sheriff's at 318-263-2215. For the latest crime and justice news, go to crimeonline.com and please join us for our daily podcast, Crime Stories Please where we do our best to find missing people, especially children, and help solve unsolved homicides with this crime alert. I'm Nancy Grace.

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