Tucson, Arizona – The disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, 84-year-old mother of NBC’s Savannah Guthrie, continues to draw intense scrutiny, not only regarding the ongoing search but also the handling of the investigation by the Pima County Sheriff’s Department. As of , nearly two weeks have passed since Guthrie was reported missing from her Tucson home on , with no suspects in custody.
The case has garnered national attention, fueled in part by reports of ransom demands totaling millions of dollars in cryptocurrency. The FBI has since doubled the reward for information leading to Guthrie’s location or the arrest and conviction of anyone involved in her abduction, raising the incentive to $100,000. Despite this, and the more than 13,000 tips received, the investigation remains stalled.
Early missteps by the Pima County Sheriff’s Department have become a focal point of criticism. Authorities released Guthrie’s home as a crime scene just one day after she was reported missing, allowing access to reporters, delivery workers, and even family members before a thorough forensic examination could be completed. Blood drops were discovered along the pathway to the driveway, and were later confirmed to be Guthrie’s, but the initial contamination of the scene has raised concerns about the integrity of evidence.
Sheriff Chris Nanos has faced increasing pressure as the lead law enforcement communicator on the case. He acknowledged at a recent news conference that he was “not used to everyone hanging on to my every word,” highlighting the unusual level of public and media attention. Critics have pointed to several decisions made by the department as problematic, including the premature release of the crime scene and Nanos’s attendance at a college basketball game while a ransom deadline loomed.
The investigation’s complexities were further highlighted by an incident involving a traffic stop and subsequent search of a Rio Rico home. While the search generated significant media coverage, the individual detained was ultimately released without charge, leaving investigators back at square one. The man, who has not been named, maintained his innocence, stating, “I hope they get the suspect because I am not it.”
Adding to the challenges, authorities have had to contend with false leads, including a fraudulent ransom demand sent to local media outlets. A man in Hawthorne was subsequently charged with a federal crime related to the hoax.
The FBI released surveillance footage on showing a person approaching Guthrie’s door wearing a holstered gun, ski mask, and backpack. The images, recovered by Google engineers, provided the first visual evidence of the suspected abductor and prompted a surge of new tips. The suspect is described as a male, approximately 5’9” to 5’10” tall, with an average build, carrying a black, 25-liter ‘Ozark Trail Hiker Pack’ backpack.
Forensic analysis has revealed that DNA found at the scene did not match Guthrie or anyone in close contact with her, prompting investigators to expand their search for a potential match. Investigators have also discovered a series of gloves in the vicinity of Guthrie’s home, which are currently undergoing DNA analysis.
Sheriff Nanos sought to dispel rumors of friction between local and federal investigators, emphasizing a “strong partnership” and a unified approach to forensic testing. He stated that all evidence requiring analysis is being sent to the same out-of-state lab, a decision agreed upon by both local and FBI leadership.
Despite the challenges, Nanos expressed determination to resolve the case. “It’s exhausting, these ups and downs,” he told the New York Times. “But we will keep moving forward. Maybe it’s an hour from now. Maybe it’s weeks or months or years from now. But we won’t quit. We’re going to find Nancy. We’re going to find this guy.”
The case remains a high priority for law enforcement, with investigators continuing to canvas the area and pursue all available leads. The urgency is compounded by Guthrie’s need for heart medication, which she did not have with her at the time of her disappearance.
