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Concerns are mounting over possible missteps in the investigation of Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance, a case that has drawn national attention since the 84‑year‑old mother of “Today” co‑anchor Savannah Guthrie vanished from her Catalina Foothills home near Tucson on Feb. 1. As of Saturday, no suspect has been taken into custody, and families, reporters and even a delivery driver have been seen on the property whereas investigators sort through a growing pile of leads.
The lack of an arrest, coupled with a series of procedural questions, has put Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos and his department under a microscope. “No one is fully cleared until there’s an arrest,” the sheriff told reporters, underscoring the pressure to produce results while the community watches every development unfold.[ABC 7]
Timeline of verified events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Jan 31 | Guthrie joins family for dinner, Uber‑rides to daughter’s house around 5:30 p.m.; later driven home by son‑in‑law.[CNN] |
| Jan 31, 9:48 p.m. | Garage door opens; closes two minutes later, indicating she likely retired for the night.[CNN] |
| Feb 1, 1:47 a.m. | Doorbell camera (Nest) is disconnected; movement detected about 25 minutes later.[CNN] |
| Feb 1, 2:28 a.m. | Data from Guthrie’s pacemaker app shows the device was disconnected from her phone.[CNN] |
| Feb 1 | Guthrie is reported missing after failing to appear at a friend’s church service.[ABC 7] |
| Feb 5 | FBI releases surveillance video showing a ski‑masked individual with a holstered gun approaching the front door; video captured by the doorbell camera.[USA Today] |
| Feb 10‑11 | Law enforcement detains a man during a traffic stop south of Tucson; the individual, identified as “Carlos,” is released without charges the next morning.[USA Today] |
| Feb 12 | Second individual is briefly detained and released after a house search near the Guthrie residence; no arrest is made.[ABC 7] |
Key investigative actions and public scrutiny
After the doorbell camera went offline, investigators were forced to rely on limited digital footprints. The FBI’s release of the short video – less than a minute long – provided the first visual of a potential kidnapper, showing a masked male wearing a backpack and a holstered firearm. Within 24 hours, the clip generated more than 4,000 tips from the public, illustrating the intense community interest in solving the case.[USA Today]
Law enforcement’s handling of the crime scene has been a point of focus. Pima County deputies eventually secured the perimeter, yet reports indicate that members of the public – including a pizza delivery driver and a pool‑service crew – were observed bringing items to the front door while the investigation was ongoing. While the sheriff’s office has not publicly detailed the protocols that allowed such activity, the presence of non‑law‑enforcement personnel on a potential crime scene adds to the public’s concern about evidence preservation.
The two detentions – first of a man identified as Carlos and later of an unnamed individual – have been described by officials as “questioning in connection with the investigation.” Both men were released without charges, and no formal suspects have been named to date.[ABC 7]
What remains to be done
FBI technicians continue to process physical evidence collected from the Guthrie residence and surrounding area. Blood droplets found near the front entry have been confirmed to belong to Nancy Guthrie, reinforcing the theory that she was taken from the doorstep.[CNN]
Investigators have also been reviewing security footage from the broader neighborhood, asking residents to check recordings dating from Jan. 1 through Feb. 2 in hopes of identifying suspicious persons or vehicles. The ongoing partnership between the Pima County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI remains a central element of the response, with both agencies emphasizing the need for consistent forensic analysis.[ABC 7]
As the search enters its third week, authorities continue to solicit tips from the public. While no arrest has been made, the sustained flow of information – now numbering in the thousands – suggests that community involvement could still prove decisive.
We will keep monitoring official updates from the Pima County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI. Readers are encouraged to share reliable information with law enforcement and to follow any new statements from the investigation team.
