Overview of The Megyn Kelly Show Ep. 1371
This episode centers on two high-profile, emotionally charged mysteries: the six-month update on Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance/kidnapping case and the online misinformation swirling around the death of Nolan Wells. Megyn Kelly and guests argue that both cases are being distorted by speculation, edited audio, and social-media pile-ons, and they repeatedly call for patience until investigators release hard evidence.
Nolan Wells Case: Audio Misinformation and Online Speculation
What the show says happened
- A group of teens went to Horn Island for July 4th festivities.
- Nolan Wells reportedly stayed behind voluntarily with another boy, rather than being forced to remain.
- Later, a boat distress call was made because the vessel was taking on water and the bilge pump stopped working.
- The original audio of that call is garbled and difficult to understand.
The misinformation problem
- A self-described audio engineer, Janetta Brantley, released an “enhanced” version of the audio with captions claiming she heard incriminating statements like:
- “We killed him”
- “Is he dead?”
- “Nolan, wake up”
- Guests on the show pushed back hard, saying:
- the audio is too unclear to support those claims
- Nolan was not on the boat when the call was made
- the interpretation appears driven by preexisting accusations against the teens
Bart and the harassment of the boys
- The show also highlighted how another teen, Bart (not fully named on air), was dragged into the story because his name was heard in the garbled audio.
- His family issued a statement saying he:
- helped the distressed boat
- cooperated fully with law enforcement
- was never a suspect
- The broader takeaway: social media is turning a tragedy into a public trial without evidence.
Main takeaway
The panel’s view is that the Nolan Wells case is being overwhelmed by edited media, assumption, and online mob behavior, while the actual facts remain limited.
Nancy Guthrie Case: Six-Month Update, DNA, and Ransom Notes
Current status
- Authorities say the investigation remains active and ongoing.
- Sheriff Chris Nanos says there is still significant DNA evidence being processed.
- The DNA is reportedly being examined by multiple labs, not just the FBI.
- The FBI says any further public update will come from local authorities.
Savannah Guthrie’s new video
- Savannah Guthrie posted a new message asking the captor to do “the right thing.”
- The hosts interpreted her wording as unusually careful and deliberate, possibly reflecting:
- ongoing communication behind the scenes
- FBI guidance on how to phrase the message
- a possible attempt to appeal to the captor’s conscience or ego
The ransom notes
The episode spends a lot of time on the two ransom notes, which the show treats as central to the case.
First note
- Addressed to Savannah
- Says Nancy is safe but scared
- Demands payment in Bitcoin
- Threatens that Nancy will be killed if payment is not made
- Includes details that allegedly match the crime scene, such as:
- a white smartwatch near the bed
- a broken floodlight outside the house
Second note
- Sounds much different in tone
- Uses more apologetic language:
- “We did not fully grasp the seriousness...”
- “We never intended to hurt her”
- “She perished shortly after she was taken”
- “We are truly sorry”
- The panel noted the drastic tonal shift and suggested the notes may not have been written by the same person.
Key controversy: are the notes real?
The guests repeatedly questioned whether:
- the notes are genuine ransom communications
- they were written by the actual captor
- they may instead be part of a fraud/hoax or opportunistic misinformation campaign
They also pointed out:
- the lack of clear proof of life
- the odd use of language like “USD” and Bitcoin-related details
- the possibility that the notes were designed to create urgency and manipulate the family
Expert Views and Main Arguments
On the misinformation issue
- Megyn Kelly and her guests argued that edited audio and social media speculation are making it harder to investigate either case fairly.
- They emphasized that what people think they hear is not enough to accuse someone of murder.
On the Guthrie investigation
- One school of thought on the panel: this was likely a kidnap-for-ransom attempt that went bad.
- Another view: the case may involve a burglary or opportunistic crime, not a professionally executed kidnapping.
- All guests agreed that no one should be ruled out too early, but that accusations without evidence are reckless.
On public pressure
- The panel criticized the Pima County Sheriff’s Office for not releasing more information.
- They also praised independent reporting that clarified the ransom notes and pushed back against sensationalism.
Key Takeaways
- Nolan Wells: The boat audio is too unclear to support murder claims; online speculation has gotten ahead of the evidence.
- Nancy Guthrie: The case remains unresolved, but DNA analysis, the ransom notes, and Savannah’s public plea suggest investigators are still actively piecing together what happened.
- Big picture: Both cases show how easily misinformation can overtake a real investigation when audio, leaked details, and social media speculation collide.
What to Watch Next
- The autopsy and toxicology results in the Nancy Guthrie case
- Whether investigators confirm the source and authenticity of the ransom notes
- Any official clarification on the DNA evidence
- Further law-enforcement updates that could settle the ongoing debate over the Nolan Wells audio and the accusations against the teens