As the search for 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie continues in Arizona, social media has become a parallel arena of speculation, with conspiracy theories, viral flight tracking claims and unverified hospital rumors spreading widely online.
Nancy Guthrie is the mother of American television host Savannah Guthrie. Authorities have confirmed that a person of interest has been arrested in Rio, Arizona in connection with the case. Beyond that, officials have released limited details, leaving room for online speculation to flourish.
Conspiracy theories are gaining popularity on the Internet
X user Paige Hearn outlined what she described as “Top 3 Wild Conspiracy Theories Swirling Around Nancy Guthrie’s (Savannah Guthrie’s Mother) Disappearance – Remember, These Are Online Speculations & Conspiracy Theories, NOT Facts! Authorities Investigating Real Kidnapping, AZ Detention in Rio. 🙏💔”
The post listed three sources of speculation circulating in the fringes of the internet:
Staged Fraud or Family Inside Job — Claims suggesting the disappearance was made for financial or personal motives. The sheriff’s office has publicly denied such claims, saying there is no evidence to support them.
Deepfake/AI Ransom Tricks – Some online commentators have speculated that potential ransom communications could be manipulated using AI tools. The FBI has previously warned that emerging artificial intelligence technologies could complicate investigations, although there is no official indication that such a tactic was involved in this case.
Border-related cartel or kidnapping — Since Rio Rico is close to the US-Mexico border, some posts have raised theories regarding organized crime groups or cross-border activities. These claims remain unsubstantiated.
Hearn emphasized that these were “fringe ideas from social media – stick to official updates from the FBI/Pima County Sheriff’s. Prayers for Nancy’s safe return 🙏. No evidence connects any to reality.”
The helicopter claims add to the confusion
Speculation grew further after online users began sharing the medical helicopter’s alleged flight paths between Rio Rio and Tucson. Some posts suggested that Nancy Guthrie may have been taken to Banner Hospital for high-risk surgery.
However, according to ABC 15 reporter Ford Hatchett, the Pima County Sheriff’s Department said the helicopter flight was unrelated to the case. Claims of activity at Banner Hospital have not been independently verified.
Another post circulating on X said, “Nothing has been confirmed yet, but the person brought to the hospital does not appear to be Nancy Guthrie. It appears authorities are still searching for her and other potential suspects.”