Finding Nancy Guthrie: Evidence in Plain Sight – Episode 7

Podcast: Finding Nancy Guthrie
Host: Lynden Blake (The Daily Wire)
Date: February 12, 2026

Episode Overview

In this gripping episode, host and investigative reporter Lynden Blake provides an in-depth update on day 11 of the search for Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of “Today” show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie. The episode centers on newly discovered physical evidence, mounting theories about the suspect, and the increasingly strange developments in what many consider the most shocking and confounding missing-person case in America. Blake draws on law enforcement sources, expert opinions, interviews, and the latest public tips to dissect emerging clues and analyze the trajectory of the investigation.

Key Developments and Discussion Points

1. Major Evidence Discovery: The Black Glove

• Discovery: FBI agents recovered a black glove on the roadside about 1.5 miles from Nancy Guthrie’s home—an item matching those seen on the masked suspect in the doorbell camera footage.
  • [01:12] Blake underscores the potential importance:

    “Huge piece of information, potential evidence located on the side of the road.”

• Implications: Investigators hope for usable DNA on the glove, possibly linking it to the crime scene. However, after 11 days, it’s unclear if this glove is directly connected.
  • Blake:

    “Could be nothing. Could be, could be someone's random glove that is on the side of the road because again, it has been 11 days.”

• Expert skepticism:
  • [07:15] Carlos (Delivery Driver):

    “The idea that they've only found one glove, it's pretty far from the scene… He throws one glove out the window as he leaves the scene. It's a little bit much to believe at this point, but perps do crazy things that are inexplicable.”

2. Investigation: Search Patterns and Key Locations

• Ongoing Searches: Authorities continue “extensive searches” around Nancy Guthrie’s property and also repeatedly visit the home of Annie Guthrie (a relative, contextually implied).
  • [04:13] Blake discusses the significance:

    “...repeated returns to Annie Guthrie's neighborhood, which was not the origin of this crime.”

• Investigator Focus: Uncertainty remains about why agents are so focused on certain family homes, but repeated visits suggest active leads or evidence retrieval.
  • “They were going up behind the brush, all over, up and down the road. We saw that today at Nancy guthrie's home. But why keep returning to the same spot?”

3. Doorbell Camera Video: Central Evidence and Public Reaction

• Doorbell Footage Released: The widely circulated footage of a masked, armed suspect (notably wearing black gloves and carrying a distinctive Ozark Trail backpack) sparked public interest and led to over 4,000 tips in a single day.
  • [05:29] Blake:

    “We know that there's this backpack, an Ozark trail backpack… with the same reflective straps that you see in the doorbell camera video.”

• Physical Evidence Matching: Officials aim to cross-reference local purchase histories for the backpack, gloves, shoes, and related items.
• Unusual Suspect Behavior: Host and experts note the suspect’s “nonchalantness” on the footage and expert attention to detail in concealing identity.
  • [01:01] Lynden Blake:

    “This letter, Sean is so well concerned. I read it and think this is a really intelligent person. And then you look at this and there's something bumbling about it.”

4. Suspects, Detainment, and Release

• Delivery Driver (Carlos) Questioned and Released:
  • A Rio Rico delivery driver, Carlos, was detained after a tip but later released.
    • [05:30] Carlos:

      “Yeah, I work in tucson… Deliver packages... Might have been a possibility.”

  • Officials clarify Carlos was not suspected solely due to surveillance footage but for other reasons; he’s now cleared as a suspect.

5. Ransom Notes, Bitcoin, and Theories of Motive

• TMZ’s Involvement & Bitcoin Ransom:
  • TMZ reports on new ransom notes demanding one bitcoin (~$66,000) for information on Nancy’s captor—yet notably, no proof of life is ever provided.
    • Blake:

      “I mean, it's just bizarre. It just keeps getting weirder. Once again, TMZ who got this note, said that the bitcoin address in this new note was legit.”

• Skepticism Over Kidnapping Narrative:
  • Experts and law enforcement argue the case may not fit typical kidnapping-for-ransom; random kidnappings of elderly people are exceedingly rare.
    • [09:31] Christopher Flanagan (Ex-NYPD):

      “Kidnappings, first of all, are so like a stranger kidnapping is so rare in this country… In New York City, the last kidnapping, where it was like a stranger kidnapping kind of off the street, had happened in 1993.”

• Bitcoin Trackability:
  • Flanagan explains the dual nature of bitcoin—easily traceable between wallets but challenging to de-anonymize and cash out.
    • [11:48] Flanagan:

      “Tracking bitcoin from one wallet to another, seeing where it went, that's all easily… done. The weakness… is transferring it… into cash.”

  • Harvey Levin (TMZ):
    • [12:50] “I have never said an amount and there is a reason I haven't said an amount and I am going to stick to that…”

6. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Black Glove’s Importance:

  • Lynden Blake:

    “Could be nothing. Could be… someone's random glove… But this is big because you now have this black glove that investigators now have in their possession that they're going to be able to potentially find some DNA on…” (01:12)

  • Carlos (Delivery Driver):

    “He was robed up foot to head to make sure… he didn't leave any DNA. He throws one glove out the window… it's a little bit much to believe at this point, but perps do crazy things…” (07:15)

• On Probability of Random Kidnappings:

  • Christopher Flanagan:

    "...A stranger kidnapping is so rare in this country. More common in south and Central America. But… in New York City…, from 1993 to 2013, in a city of 8 million people, we had no kidnappings." (09:31)

• On the Odd Nature of the Case:

  • Narrator/Host (Blake):

    “This is just such a bizarre crime. Another just mysterious wrinkle in this entire case.” (13:19)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:14 - Discovery of black glove and FBI update
• 01:12 - Significance and possible implications of the glove
• 04:13 - Persistent searches at Annie Guthrie’s home
• 05:29 - Doorbell footage analysis and public tips
• 05:30 - Interview with Carlos, the delivery driver
• 07:15 - Skepticism over glove as a clue
• 07:51 - Reenactment of Nest cam footage, potential for more evidence
• 09:31 - Former NYPD Christopher Flanagan on kidnapping cases
• 10:24 - Bitcoin ransom demands, lack of proof of life
• 11:48 - Technical explanation on bitcoin tracking
• 12:50 - TMZ’s stance on not revealing bitcoin activity
• 13:19 - Host summarizes the continued mystery

Summary & Takeaways

• Physical evidence is mounting, but its significance is uncertain.
• Suspect identification remains elusive; recurring search patterns may indicate investigators are narrowing in.
• Ransom communications continue but lack the elements of credible kidnappings, such as proof of life.
• Expert commentary suggests the case may deviate from classic ransom kidnapping, adding to the overall sense of confusion and urgency.
• Public involvement is central: authorities urge those with information to contact the FBI tip line as the investigation escalates.

For tips, contact the FBI: 1-800-call-FBI.