The Megyn Kelly Show – Episode 1252

Local Sheriff vs. FBI Friction Rumblings in Nancy Guthrie Case, and NEW Mystery Man Seen on Neighborhood Ring Camera
Date: February 14, 2026
Host: Megyn Kelly
Guests: James Fitzgerald (retired FBI), Maureen Callahan (retired FBI), plus later panel of law enforcement/crisis response experts

Episode Overview

This episode is dedicated to the ongoing investigation into the abduction of Nancy Guthrie, the mother of NBC's Savannah Guthrie. As the case continues without resolution nearly two weeks after Nancy’s disappearance, Megyn Kelly and her guests analyze new developments, major investigative missteps, and an emerging turf war between the local sheriff’s department and the FBI. The conversation also covers new video leads, controversial ransom communications, and candid appraisals of law enforcement actions and media responses.

Throughout, the tone is urgent and unsparing, marked by skepticism of official claims and concern for investigative competence and media ethics.

Main Themes

• Continued uncertainty and frustration in the Nancy Guthrie case.
• Conflicting reports, miscommunications, and mounting friction between local law enforcement and the FBI.
• Emergence of new video footage suggesting possible suspects.
• Analysis of ransom notes and media involvement, especially by TMZ.
• Broader critique of law enforcement leadership, procedural failures, and media handling.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Friction Between FBI and Local Sheriff (00:58–08:55, 47:16–54:39, 60:33–75:00)

• Conflicting Sources on “Pac Man” Suspect:

  • Disagreement among media outlets about whether a man seen on camera with two backpacks is cleared.
  • Megyn notes dueling reports: “NBC… reports that law enforcement has, quote, moved on… TMZ saying that’s not true…” (04:28)
  • Former FBI agents on the panel agree: “No one is cleared in this investigation… unless someone's actually in prison, locked up… no one is going to be cleared.” (Jim Fitzgerald, 05:08)

• Diverging Investigation Styles:

  • Maureen Callahan: “More than one time I had a supervisor say, ‘hey, I need you to go over here and build a damn bridge.’ ...we have different ways of going about it... At the end of the day we share all the information in the command post.” (07:38)
  • Friction is normal, but now seems more acute.

• Turf War Intensifies:

  • FBI reportedly frustrated over the sheriff's refusal to send crucial evidence to the FBI’s Quantico lab, preferring a local Florida lab.
  • “The protocol is it belongs to the locals unless they want to give it over to the FBI or let the FBI take the lead—which he clearly doesn’t.” (Megyn, 47:16)
  • Jim Fitzgerald: “An interesting combination is alpha males, high-profile, unsolved case, and at least one elected official… it’s going to create these turf wars or at least these problems.” (50:10)

• Local Sheriff’s Leadership Challenged:

  • Former undersheriff: “The sheriff, Chris Nanos, has an exorbitant ego... he told the FBI… he doesn’t need their help.” (Rick Castigar, 70:25)
  • The friction risks investigative effectiveness and may impede resolution.

2. Evolving Suspect Pool – New Videos & The “Porch Man” (08:55–16:16, 90:29–99:42)

• Emergence of Additional Suspicious Males on Camera:

  • New video shows a “porch man,” possibly casing other homes, bearing resemblance to the sketch artist’s rendering of Nancy’s abductor.
  • “Look at that. I mean, short of it like being vertical, this guy gave us like his own little mug shot.” (Megyn, 12:03)
  • Law enforcement panel: similarities noted (facial hair, behavior, eyes), but some feel this man seems “too skinny” compared to the suspect seen at Nancy’s.
  • The “Pac Man” suspect (from previous coverage) and this new “porch man” are compared for m.o. and physical characteristics.

• Pattern of Unusual Nocturnal Activity:

  • Several incidents show men behaving suspiciously in the neighborhood—emphasizing possible crime wave or high-risk environment in Tucson.
  • “Now we have at least two men who, one we know committed a crime, one we think looks pretty sketchy… And then we have a third person now...” (Megyn, 08:55)
  • Later, this leads to questioning whether Nancy was targeted specifically or was a victim of a random active prowler.

• Civilian & Social Media Contributions:

  • Citizens sharing Ring/Nest footage and discussing sightings have become a significant parallel investigative resource.
  • Notable contributors: “nerdy addict” (Twitter/X), posters from community forums.

3. Forensic Sketch and Suspect Identification (16:16–34:16)

• Legendary Forensic Artist’s Involvement:

  • Lois Gibson, “Guinness World Record” forensic sketch artist, produces a facial rendering of Nancy’s abductor based solely on masked video.
  • Gibson describes her memory-jogging interview techniques: “What kind of hair did they have? …What kind of expression did he have?” (Lois Gibson, 18:14)
  • The resulting sketch is deemed “eerily similar” to the suspected porch prowler. “Pretty damn good…do they not have to seriously investigate this latest porch man?” (Megyn, 24:36)

• Limits of Forensic Artistry:

  • Panel discusses past famous sketches (Unabomber, BTK, Son of Sam): can help, but only up to a point.
  • Jim Fitzgerald: “It’s a true art…look at the basic features…don’t get thrown off…if this guy shaved…” (25:06)

4. Issues with Ransom Communications & Media Involvement (40:58–47:16, 104:27–109:21)

• TMZ and Ransom Note Coverage:

  • “TMZ just says… received a third email from the man who claims he knows the identity of Nancy Guthrie’s [captor]… now upped his price…” (Megyn, 40:58)
  • Panel unanimously sees this as distraction and opportunism. “He’s an opportunist taking advantage of the opportunist who’s taking advantage of the abduction...” (Jim Fitzgerald, 43:18)
  • FBI and law enforcement experts clarify reward guidelines: real informants don’t need Bitcoin schemes or intermediaries.

• Authorities’ Interest in Ransom Demands:

  • Despite skepticism, Harvey Levin (TMZ) insists the FBI is “vitally interested in that ransom note.” (105:09)
  • Experts clarify: real kidnappers communicate directly, not via media, and credible proof of life has never been furnished.

5. Investigative Missteps & Crime Scene Handling (37:16–39:49, 81:22–87:28)

• Critique of Crime Scene Release:

  • Concerns that the Guthrie home was released as a crime scene too soon.
  • “For some reason… they keep going back… personally, both of those need to be secured, taped off, nobody in and out unless it’s an investigator at this point.” (James Hamilton, 81:55)
  • Evidence preservation and chain of custody potentially compromised (e.g., clothing items left outside, public allowed on property).

• Generalized Lack of Confidence in Local Leadership:

  • “Nobody has confidence in this sheriff at this point.” (Megyn, 37:16)
  • “If you have a city council and a mayor that aren’t supportive of law enforcement going after petty crime, this is what you’re gonna get…criminals are like three-year-olds…” (Maureen Callahan, 37:21)

• Metrics of Municipal Safety Questioned:

  • Rising property crime/burglary rates flagged as a local systemic problem.

6. Speculation on Case Trajectory & Victim Status (27:31–30:14, 101:07–103:24)

• Chances of Nancy Being Alive:

  • Strong pessimism creeps in due to: lack of proof of life, no solid suspect, no apparent motive, and time elapsed.
  • “Here we are. You know, it’s now getting extremely unlikely that Nancy is still alive…” (Megyn, 27:31)
  • Experts: “If this was a kidnapping for ransom, we would have had communication…” (James Fitzgerald, 102:18)
  • Panel agrees that hope is minimal given known facts and Nancy’s health status.

• Debate over Whether Crime Was Targeted or Random:

  • “The more these things start popping up [men caught on video], the less and less I think this was a target at Nancy Guthrie because of who Savannah is…” (James Fitzgerald, 95:54)
  • If not, raises alarms about general safety and vigilance in the neighborhood.

7. Media Critique & Network Dynamics (110:01–end)

• Megyn’s Candid Dismissal of NBC/Today Show “Family” Narrative:

  • “It is a bunch of backstabbers over there. Nobody likes anybody.”
  • Suggests insensitivity in how Savannah’s loss is addressed internally at NBC, citing a tone-deaf social media post.
  • Critiques broader state of network TV news, audience decline, and authenticity.

• Reflection on Public Interest:

  • “The nation wants answers and it wants accountability and it wants a rescue… The more invested they get in a case, the more insistent they are on having it. And I think that’s to our credit.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Turf War:
  “An interesting combination is alpha males, high profile, unsolved case, and at least one elected official… it’s going to create these turf wars…”
  — Jim Fitzgerald (50:10)

• On Crime Scene Handling:
  “Yes…basic 101, don’t give up the scene until you absolutely need to. In this case… you don’t need to. She’s not going to be upset. She’s not there.”
  — James Fitzgerald (85:03)

• TMZ Ransom Note Seller:
  “He’s an opportunist taking advantage of the opportunist who’s taking advantage of the abduction…”
  — Jim Fitzgerald (43:18)

• Legendary Forensic Artist:
  “If they answer [about the expression], they saw the face.”
  — Lois Gibson (18:14)

• On Possible Randomness:
  “If it’s not connected…how many men do they have roaming in the middle of the night trying to break in, creepily preying on people’s porches?”
  — Megyn Kelly (33:11)

• On Law Enforcement Leadership:
  “You don’t go around beating your chest about [being a former cop]. He would have you think the FBI doesn’t have a soul that ever worked law enforcement.”
  — James Fitzgerald (72:52)

• On Hope for Nancy’s Survival:
  “We have to work this case as if she's alive. It's the only way.”
  — Maureen Callahan (28:06)

Important Timestamps

• Conflicting Pac Man Reports / Investigation Priorities: 04:28–08:55
• New Porch Man Video Discussion: 08:55–16:16 & 92:43–99:42
• Forensic Sketch Segment: 18:14–26:52
• Ransom Note / TMZ Section: 40:58–47:16 & 104:27–109:21
• Crime Scene Mishandling: 81:22–87:28
• Panel: Is Nancy Likely Alive? 101:07–103:24
• Extended Law Enforcement Panel on Turf War: 60:33–75:00

Conclusions & Takeaways

• The investigation flounders amid inter-agency friction, possibly hindering progress and risking the integrity of crucial evidence.
• An apparent local crime surge—suggested by multiple suspicious figures caught on home surveillance—confounds efforts to identify the specific perpetrator.
• The most publicized ransom notes are likely a sideshow rather than key to resolving the case.
• Crime scene protocol appears lacking, raising questions about leadership and preparedness at the local level.
• Experts and hosts alike view Nancy Guthrie's safe return as increasingly unlikely but maintain the imperative to proceed as if rescue is possible.
• The episode closes with Megyn Kelly’s pointed criticism of network television’s performative “family” narrative, urging viewers to value authentic empathy and vigilance over corporate PR.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone following the Nancy Guthrie case, offering informed, no-nonsense analysis and a candid look at the challenges of modern crime investigation at the intersection of local and federal law enforcement and a hyperactive media environment.