The Megyn Kelly Show: Nancy Guthrie Nest Camera Questions, Savannah Stalker Possibilities, and Bitcoin Rumblings | Ep. 1250

Date: February 11th, 2026
Host: Megyn Kelly (SiriusXM)
Guests:

• Jim Fitzgerald (former FBI Supervisory Special Agent, profiler, forensic linguist)
• Maureen O’Connell (ex-FBI, co-host of Best Case Worst Case)
• Mary Ellen O’Toole (FBI criminal profiler, George Mason Univ.)
• Will (elite bodyguard/security consultant)
• James Hamilton (former FBI Special Agent, security consultant)

Overview

This episode centers on the investigation into the abduction of Nancy Guthrie, 84-year-old mother of NBC host Savannah Guthrie. Recent developments—namely the release of Nest camera footage showing a masked, armed perpetrator and unusual ransom demands involving Bitcoin—are discussed in detail. Megyn and a panel of FBI and security experts break down the key clues, behavioral profiles, and investigative strategies, while also examining possible motives including stalking related to Savannah’s public profile, the role of technology in the investigation, and multiple theories about the nature of the crime.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Status of the Nancy Guthrie Case

• Nancy Guthrie was forcibly taken from her home in the early hours of February 1st—now missing for 11 days without confirmed proof of life (02:20).
• Conflict and confusion persist: reports of a life-flighted elderly woman in Arizona proved false; a delivery man near the border was detained but released after alibi checked out (10:00).

2. FBI’s Role & The Nest Camera Breakthrough

• FBI has taken a lead role after local police made little progress; sought technical help from Google (owner of Nest cams) and located crucial video/images despite no paid recording subscription (05:30–07:30).
• "It does seem that the FBI got a warrant or put some pressure on Google... that's how they hit pay dirt." — Megyn Kelly (05:50)
• Footage shows an armed, masked individual approaching Guthrie’s home. Unclear whether perpetrator had prior knowledge or experience with security cams—appears amateurish (65:23–68:24).

3. Multiple Persons of Interest and False Leads

• FBI confirms "multiple persons of interest" are being investigated (08:16).
• A delivery man was mistakenly detained but released, suggesting investigation is “casting a wide net.”
• Quoting the released man: “I felt like I was being kidnapped, bro. Because they didn’t tell me anything at the beginning. I was detained the whole time.” (10:13)

4. Ransom Demands, Bitcoin, and Media Involvement

• Two ransom notes sent to media, not directly to family, demanding $4 million (later $6M) in Bitcoin—suspicious method ("Why would you go to TMZ?") (14:15, 102:04).
• Separate email to TMZ demands 1 bitcoin (~$60k) for info about the alleged kidnapper, further muddying waters.
• Ongoing speculation over whether any ransom has been paid: activity seen in the Bitcoin wallet, with local outlet reporting $300, not $6 million. Harvey Levin (TMZ) “lifting the dress, but only so much” about what he knows (20:31–21:10).
• Experts suggest FBI may have made a small deposit ("tickling the wire") to prompt the perpetrator to check the account and thus reveal traceable digital clues (25:45–28:13).

5. Behavioral Profiling: Perpetrator’s Mannerisms & Possibilities

• Analysis of the perpetrator’s calmness: does not appear agitated, nervous, or hurried as most would be in a high-stakes crime (51:04–57:20).
  • "The absence of anxiety is profound here." — Mary Ellen O’Toole (55:03)
• Debate on whether the perpetrator is experienced or an amateur: fumbles with Nest cam, uses vegetation to obscure view, odd way of carrying gun ("gunslinger"), possibly altered gait to disguise movement (84:18–87:22).
• Potential for more than one perpetrator; car possibly involved (57:20).
• Law enforcement suspected to be focusing on unique aspects: gloves, backpack, gun, and reflective-strapped backpack, actively tracking purchases (112:29–114:55).

6. Theories of Motivation: Stalker, Family, or Amateur Criminal?

• Discussion of stalkers, “erotomania,” and the threat to family members of public figures.
  • "This could be an erotomaniac situation... it is very possible this guy could have been sitting at home watching Savannah Guthrie on the Today show every day, 'communicating' with her." — Megyn Kelly (131:47–133:40)
  • Panel draws parallels to high-profile stalker cases of Rebecca Schaeffer, John Hinckley, and others.
• Some experts question cartel/murder-for-hire theories, citing awkward execution and unlikely benefit for organized crime (153:03–153:36).
• Family member theory remains on the table due to repeated searches of Annie and Tomas's home; brother-in-law speculated upon via appearance but not confirmed (both by released images and repeated law enforcement activity) (170:00–175:07).

7. Tech and Forensic Investigation

• In-depth look at the technical side: Nest footage retrieval, timeline construction, and possibilities for evidence recovery even when devices aren’t on a paid recording plan (78:44–82:19).
• Experts discuss leveraging vendor (Google) caches and residual memory for finding deleted or “overwritten” video ("It's all about the routing process... the video data has to be sent over to a video platform for processing" — Maureen O’Connell, 79:23).
• “Facial recognition” efforts may be hampered by mask but AI and tech are being pushed to their limits (45:26–48:14).

8. Evidence, Physical Search & Ongoing Effort

• Law enforcement has received 18,000 tips, is conducting repeated searches of both Nancy’s and her daughter's homes, and combing the area extensively (177:56–179:56).
• Blood drops at the scene suggest a violent confrontation, but not necessarily that Nancy was killed on site (166:58–168:57).
• Notable that there is no proof of life; experts emphasize credible kidnappers usually provide it quickly (161:46–164:00).

9. Psychological Impact and Victim Advocacy

• Megyn and panel emphasize the trauma inflicted on victims and their families, and the importance of law enforcement “having the heart of a lion when it comes to victims” (181:00).

Notable Quotes & Key Moments

• On the perpetrator’s amateurish approach:

  “You see him come up, do the tap, tap, tap. He gives up, he gets the vegetation and comes back and covers it. And then we never see him get the Nest camera off of the wall.” – MK (65:23–68:24)

• On the behavioral profile:

  “If he is the person in the back who’s actually committing the crime, or he’s already committed the crime and now he’s just fiddling around with the cameras, he knows what he’s done. You’re going to see a lot of anxiety. I think the absence of a lot of anxiety and nervousness is profound here.” – Mary Ellen O’Toole (55:03)

• On the possibility of a stalker motive:

  “This could have been somebody who wasn’t known at all to Savannah, who just had this obsession from afar, like Robert Bardo, maybe just a letter or whatever, an email.” – MK (131:47) "It's not the threats that get people... it's the inappropriate nature and their inability to let go." – James Hamilton (138:04)

• On the Bitcoin account strategy:

  “If it is this $300... going into this account as a test deposit or however they would look at it, that would make perfect sense. It certainly wouldn’t surprise me if that’s something the FBI is doing to generate some sort of activity somehow.” – Jim Fitzgerald (26:45)

• On risk of paying ransom:

  “Whenever you pay the ransom, you’re basically inviting more kidnappings... because it rewards terrible behavior, terrible criminal behavior.” – MK (31:16)

• On law enforcement’s renewed focus on the family:

  “They obviously are receiving more information that they feel is actionable. ...They keep going back to this same location every single time.” – Maureen O’Connell (39:29)

• On the absence of proof-of-life:

  “For those of us ... in law enforcement and security, we’re logic driven thinkers, and so it’s driving people mad.” – Maureen O’Connell (162:30)

• On law enforcement’s tight-lipped posture:

  “They’ve gone more tight-lipped. All of this will become clear to us, I’m sure, at some point on why.” – MK (179:59)

Timestamps of Important Segments

• Status update & recap: 00:29 – 10:00
• **FBI involvement/Nest cam: ** 05:30 – 08:00, 65:23 – 73:10
• Bitcoin/ransom demands: 14:15 – 21:00, 25:45 – 28:13
• Behavioral analysis of masked suspect: 51:04 – 57:20, 84:18 – 87:22
• Profiling & stalker discussion: 123:28 – 135:29
• Panel on technical challenges/Nest cam demo: 68:24 – 73:10
• Repeated law enforcement activity at family properties: 107:25 – 109:18, 170:06 – 175:06
• Evidence search, proof of life, kidnappings: 161:46 – 164:00
• Victim advocacy and hope: 181:00 – 185:20

Distinctive Quotes / Moments With Timestamps

• "I felt like I was being kidnapped, bro. Because they didn't tell me anything at the beginning. I was detained the whole time." – Detained delivery man (10:13)
• "It's been 10 days. We have not heard a word. We don't. We are no closer to catching this person. ... So he's not completely stupid." – James Hamilton (99:19)
• “The absence of anxiety is profound here.” – Mary Ellen O’Toole (55:03)
• “If you have this little key, it’s the size of like a key a girl might have for her diary... it pops right off.” – MK, on the Nest cam’s basic security (69:26)
• “It's not the threats that get people, okay? ... it's the inappropriate nature and their inability to let go.” — James Hamilton (138:04)
• “18,000 calls since February 1, more than 4,000 of those in the last 24 hours.” – MK on scale of investigation (177:56)
• “Face is everywhere... I wonder how the detainment of the wrong guy last night affects the actual perp. There had to be a serious moment of panic when those pictures hit.” — MK (36:31)
• "He could have been told by his co conspirator that it's very easy just pull it right out of its housing. But he's not a manhandler like whoever his co conspirator was..." — Maureen O’Connell (83:37)
• "For those of us in ... law enforcement and security, we're logic driven thinkers, and so it's, it's driving people mad." — Maureen O’Connell (162:30)

Summary Takeaways

• The Guthrie investigation is at a critical moment with major FBI resources, tech partnerships, and public tips being harnessed to find Nancy or her abductor(s).
• Key evidence includes the chilling Nest cam video—the trove of visual and behavioral clues, but also a subject whose demeanor defies a simple profile.
• Ransom and Bitcoin subplot likely a distraction or fraud, with experts affirming that real kidnappers provide proof-of-life.
• Panel leans toward theories involving a stalker targeting Savannah Guthrie or a family-based perpetrator, based on both behavioral clues and law enforcement focus.
• Technological recovery of evidence is underway, and public vigilance is encouraged—the public tip line is active, and authorities are said to be reviewing thousands of leads.
• Panel remains hopeful but realistic, stressing the rarity of such kidnappings and advocating continued public attention and empathy for victims.

For Listeners

If you have any information regarding Nancy Guthrie’s abduction, contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or the Pima County Sheriff’s Department tip line. Public engagement remains crucial as the investigation continues.