MK True Crime: Sheriff’s Mixed Messages on Guthrie Family, “Signal Sniffing” Tech, and Investigating the D4vd Case from the Inside – with Steve Fisher

Episode aired on February 18, 2026
Host: Dave Aronberg
Co-host: Ashley Merchant
Guest: Steve Fisher, Private Investigator

Episode Overview

This episode of MK True Crime dives into the ongoing investigation into the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the mother of notable show host Savannah Guthrie. The hosts analyze recent developments, including the sheriff’s public statements, DNA evidence from gloves, signal detection technology targeting Nancy's pacemaker, and convoluted ransom communications tied to the case. Private Investigator Steve Fisher joins to bring a technical and field-level perspective, and the team also pivots to discuss the shocking D4vd/Celeste Rivas Hernandez case. The show is rich with legal analysis, personal commentary, and technical details about investigative techniques.

Main Segments & Key Discussion Points

1. Status Update on Nancy Guthrie’s Case (01:05–08:25)

• Nancy Guthrie, 84, missing for three weeks; ongoing search and new developments.
• Emotional plea from her daughter Savannah:
  • “It's never too late. You're not lost or alone and it is never too late to do the right thing.” (Savannah Guthrie, as read by Ashley Merchant, 03:12)
• Analysis of Savannah’s video statements:
  • FBI Behavioral Analyst Unit (BAU) might have advised her on phrasing meant to reach the potential perpetrator emotionally.
  • Discussion of possible suspect profile (angry, possibly slighted, maybe a loner with a fixation on Savannah).

Notable Quote:

“It’s never too late to do the right thing. And we are here and we believe in the essential goodness of every human being.”
— Dave Aronberg (03:12)

2. Ransom Notes, Family Clearance, and Public Perception (05:19–12:32)

• Clearing the family:
  • The sheriff publicly clears the Guthrie family, a move scrutinized for its speed and lack of detail (08:47).
  • Questions about public skepticism and the impact on the family, who have received hate online.
  • Gloves found near the scene: confusion as some gloves fell from investigators’ pockets, raising concerns about investigative protocol (09:54).
• Ransom demands and the reality check:
  • The show highlights skeptical takes on multiple ransom emails demanding bitcoin, all sent to TMZ—raising suspicions about their legitimacy (06:39, 18:16–21:03).
• Reward updates:
  • FBI and Milwaukee Crime Stoppers now both offering $100,000 rewards, the latter promising donor-funded anonymous tips (06:39–08:25).

Notable Quote:

“If a kidnapper would be... nervous about contacting the FBI... [Crime Stoppers] is the perfect place to do it.”
— Ashley Merchant (07:28)

3. DNA Evidence and Law Enforcement Protocols (14:34–18:16)

• State of the DNA evidence:
  • Glove found with a male DNA profile but no current CODIS match.
  • Speculation about use of genealogical database searches (e.g., 23andMe) à la the Brian Kohberger case.
• Technical limitations:
  • Lack of match does not preclude progress; law enforcement is possibly collecting and comparing DNA from persons of interest/interviews (15:19–16:44).
  • Numerous gloves found—many dropped by police—seen as evidence mishandling.

Notable Quote:

“It’s so sloppy... if you drop a glove, you should be extra cautious about picking that glove up.”
— Ashley Merchant (17:24)

4. Competing Theories & Ransom Email Dissection (18:16–24:23)

• Burglary vs. Kidnapping Debate:
  • Police say “not a burglary; definitely an abduction”.
  • Family and inside sources disagree, highlighting lack of coordinated communication.
• TMZ ransom emails:
  • Fourth email demands bitcoin; claims knowledge of Nancy’s location “south of the border” and that “more than one person involved” (19:38–22:49).
  • Harvey Levin (of TMZ) calls the sender’s bluff and coordinates with the FBI to encourage legitimate information.

Notable Quotes:

“I know what I saw five days ago south of the border. And I was told to shut up. So I know who he is. And that was definitely Nancy with them.”
— Reading from the fourth ransom email (20:17–22:21)

5. Public Reaction, Political Intervention, and Pleas for Action (24:23–25:04)

• Reward and legal consequences:
  • President Trump threatens the death penalty if Nancy is not returned alive (24:23).
  • Hosts debate the realities and limitations of the death penalty in the context of the law.
• Repeated calls for information:
  • Emphasis on the opportunity for an anonymous, rewarded tip.

6. INTERVIEW: Steve Fisher on Tech in the Guthrie Investigation (27:54–39:26)

A. Initial Assessment

• Fisher casts doubt on the burglary theory; calls for more public sharing of video evidence to harness public help (28:29).
• He voices concern that the case’s focus has shifted too much to law enforcement criticism.

B. Signal “Sniffing” - Pacemaker Tracking Technology (30:48–38:36)

• Tech Explainer—BlueFly Device:

  • Purpose: Detects low-frequency Bluetooth/RF signals from personal electronics—including medical devices like pacemakers.
  • Range is limited: Pacemaker RF signals only detectable up to ~50 ft, and struggle with walls/obstructions.
  • Not designed for large-scale, citywide sweeps—best in search contexts like open areas or collapsed buildings.

• Helicopter vs. Drone Usage:

  • Drones generally preferred but are often now unavailable due to equipment bans.
  • Helicopter use was hampered by staffing issues.

• Practical limitations:

  • Search would pick up any nearby pacemaker, not Nancy’s specifically.
  • Technology more effective/appropriate in remote or contained environments than residential neighborhoods.

Notable Quotes:

“It can detect anything emitting a signal—cell phones, AirTags, pacemakers—but it’s not really made for this use case. I’m all for them using it—throw everything at it—but it’s not meant for city sweeps.”
— Steve Fisher (30:48–37:37)

7. Investigative Data Points & Unusual Search Patterns (39:26–40:55)

• Fisher flags a spike in Google searches for “ransom” in the Tucson area on January 31 (day before the abduction), with four observed searches close to the Nogales (Mexico) border.
• He also mentions unusual aircraft movement (early morning flight from Tucson to Mexico).

Notable Quote:

“[There] were four searches [for ‘ransom’] in an area down south, close to Nogales border... just another data point to consider.”
— Steve Fisher (39:52)

8. The D4vd/Celeste Rivas Hernandez Case – Inside Investigation (41:03–53:52)

• Steve Fisher retained by the Hollywood Hills homeowner after Celeste’s death in singer D4vd’s Tesla, which was linked to the property.
• Owner reports confusion and frustration dealing with law enforcement; brings PI in to recover missed potential evidence (burn cage, chainsaw, camera SD card).
• Both D4vd and the victim's families are keeping silent (45:19–45:29), a notable divergence from media patterns.
• Discussion about non-traditional investigative methods (canvassing, recovering data left out by law enforcement).
• Significant surveillance video lost due to upgrade and lack of law enforcement follow-up (49:12–50:36).

Notable Quotes:

“Somebody from law enforcement asked why I was taking things public... as a private investigator, I don’t have subpoena power. Sometimes I have to dog whistle to certain people and let them know that I know certain things...”
— Steve Fisher (46:54)

"8 terabytes of data of a camera pointing directly at [the house]... is gone."
— Steve Fisher (50:32)

9. Legal Corner & Listener Q&A: Jury Duty, Reasonable Doubt, and Juror Integrity (55:46–63:36)

• Listener asks: What does “reasonable doubt” really mean?
• Ashley Merchant: Urges jurors to stand by their convictions, explains “reasonable doubt” as unanswered questions.
• Dave Aronberg: Contrasts as a prosecutor; distinguishes doubt vs. reasonable doubt.
• Ashley further explains the Allen Charge and why not reaching a unanimous verdict (a hung jury) is legitimate if a juror’s doubts persist.

Notable Quotes:

“You do not have to give up any convictions... if you believe someone is not guilty... It’s your duty to stand by that verdict. You are not supposed to give in.”
— Ashley Merchant (62:00)

10. Closing Remarks & Offbeat Reflections (63:36–66:14)

• Ashley Merchant: Educates listeners on juror rights and duties—especially regarding hung juries and not yielding to group pressure.
• Dave Aronberg: Lighthearted anecdote about trying his first Pilates session, encouraging listeners (especially men) to step outside comfort zones.

Timestamps for Critical Segments

• Savannah Guthrie’s public plea and analysis: 02:20–03:31
• Discussion of ransom emails and family clearance: 06:39–08:25; 19:38–22:49
• DNA evidence and police evidence mishandling: 14:34–18:16
• Steve Fisher introduction and initial Guthrie assessment: 27:54–29:54
• Signal sniffing tech (BlueFly device) explained: 30:48–37:37
• Ransom search-term anomaly & flight to Mexico: 39:26–40:55
• D4vd case—inside investigation: 41:03–53:52
• Jury duty, reasonable doubt, and juror integrity (Q&A): 55:46–63:36

Tone and Style Highlights

• Empathetic and forthright, with hosts alternating between measured legal analysis and genuine concern for families involved.
• Conversational, direct style—does not shy away from criticizing law enforcement mistakes or legal system quirks.
• Deep-dive technical details, especially during Steve Fisher’s interview: practical challenges of signal hunting, chain-of-custody lapses, real-world investigative constraints.
• Balanced skepticism, analyzing both official statements and internet theories without indulging in wild speculation.
• Uses memorable, sometimes dark humor to offset weighty subject matter (Dave’s Pilates and Rush music anecdote).

Notable Quotes

• “It's 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.” – Dave Aronberg (03:12)
• “If a kidnapper would be... nervous about contacting the FBI... [Crime Stoppers] is the perfect place to do it.” – Ashley Merchant (07:28)
• “It’s so sloppy... if you drop a glove, you should be extra cautious about picking that glove up.” – Ashley Merchant (17:24)
• “It can detect anything emitting a signal—cell phones, AirTags, pacemakers—but it’s not really made for this use case. I’m all for them using it... but it’s not meant for city sweeps.” – Steve Fisher (30:48–37:37)
• "[There] were four searches [for ‘ransom’] in an area down south, close to Nogales border... just another data point to consider." – Steve Fisher (39:52)
• “8 terabytes of data of a camera pointing directly at [the house]... is gone.” – Steve Fisher (50:32)
• "You do not have to give up any convictions... if you believe someone is not guilty... It’s your duty to stand by that verdict. You are not supposed to give in." – Ashley Merchant (62:00)

Summary Verdict

This episode delivers a comprehensive update on two major cases—the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie and the D4vd/Celeste Rivas case—while spotlighting evolving investigative technology and legal process pitfalls. It mixes empathy for families, scrutiny of law enforcement, and practical takes from the field. The technical deep dive into “signal sniffing” is especially informative, and the discussion about jury duty offers useful, real-world advice. For listeners following either case or who are interested in how modern investigations unfold, this episode is both engaging and educational.