The claim circulating online—that Google searches for “Nancy Guthrie” spiked dramatically in Colombia (often misspelled as “Columbia” in posts) two weeks before her disappearance, reaching a Google Trends score of 100 and raising alarms for investigators—appears to stem entirely from social media speculation, particularly on platforms like Facebook and X. These posts present the alleged data as suspicious, implying some premeditated international connection to the 84-year-old’s suspected abduction from her Tucson, Arizona, home.
However, no credible news reports, official statements from the Pima County Sheriff’s Department, the FBI, or major outlets (including AP, CNN, NBC, Fox News, ABC, or The Guardian) mention any Google Trends data from Colombia or any other country as part of the investigation. The case, now in its second week as of early February 2026, focuses on domestic elements: blood evidence confirmed as Nancy’s, a tampered-with Ring camera, signs of forced entry (or at least disturbance), ransom notes (some demanding bitcoin or millions, sent to media outlets), multiple home searches, and family pleas for her safe return. Authorities have described it as a targeted abduction but have named no suspects, persons of interest, or international links.
The Google Trends claim seems to originate from viral Facebook posts and similar shares. Several examples include:
Claims like “Why was Nancy Guthrie’s name searched on Google 100 times 2 weeks before she was abducted in the country of Colombia? Google Trends does not lie.”
Similar wording on other profiles, often with dramatic emojis or calls for discussion in true crime communities.
A key clarification from commenters on these posts: In Google Trends, a score of 100 does not mean 100 (or any specific number) of searches occurred. It represents the peak relative popularity of the term in the selected region and time frame, scaled from 0 to 100. A spike to 100 can result from just a handful of searches if interest was unusually high compared to the baseline (which is often near zero for an obscure name like “Nancy Guthrie” pre-disappearance). In a country like Colombia, with a large population and internet users, even a small cluster of curious searches—perhaps triggered by early news leaks, family connections, or random coincidence—could produce a relative peak.
No evidence ties this alleged spike to the kidnappers or any planning. Pre-disappearance searches for a relatively unknown private individual (Nancy is primarily recognized as Savannah Guthrie’s mother) would be extremely low globally, making any minor uptick stand out disproportionately on Trends. If the data exists, it could reflect:
Early media mentions or rumors leaking internationally.
Unrelated individuals (e.g., people with the same name in Colombia searching themselves or family).
Algorithmic anomalies or misinterpretation of Trends graphs.
Investigators have access to far more precise digital forensics—IP logs, device data, communications—than public Google Trends. If a genuine Colombia-related lead existed (e.g., ransom demands routed through foreign servers or known criminal networks), it would likely appear in official updates or major reporting, not only in unverified social media claims. Current leads include:
Ransom notes (some verified as received by media, with demands like $6 million and deadlines).
Searches of Nancy’s home (including septic tank probing) and daughter Annie’s nearby residence (items removed, a silver briefcase noted in one vehicle).
Family cooperation, with Savannah and siblings stating publicly they are prepared to pay for Nancy’s return but need proof of life.
No arrests, though one unrelated California man was detained for sending fake bitcoin demands.
The case remains active, with authorities urging tips via official channels. Speculation about foreign Google searches adds intrigue but lacks substantiation and does not align with reported investigative priorities. If new details emerge linking international elements, they would come from law enforcement, not viral posts.
To provide visual context on the ongoing case and related speculation:
(These images illustrate Nancy Guthrie, the Tucson home scene with police activity, and typical Google Trends graph examples for context on how scores are interpreted.)
The investigation continues amid intense public interest, but claims like the Colombia search spike remain unconfirmed and likely overstated. Anyone with verifiable information should contact the Pima County Sheriff’s Department or the FBI.
