TUCSON, Ariz. — The search for 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie, the mother of “Today” show co-host Savannah Guthrie, continues to draw national attention as investigators enter the second week of the investigation. Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos addressed concerns and provided updates on the case Thursday, emphasizing collaboration between local, state, and federal agencies.
Sheriff Nanos stated his department maintains a strong working relationship with the FBI, who are actively assisting in the search. The investigation began after Guthrie was reported missing on February 1, after she failed to attend church following being dropped off at her home in the Catalina Foothills on January 31, according to reports.
Recent reports suggested a potential conflict between the Pima County Sheriff’s Department and the FBI regarding access to evidence. Nanos directly addressed these claims, stating that the decision to utilize DNA Labs International in Florida for forensic analysis was a strategic one, aimed at consolidating all evidence in a single location for comprehensive testing. “It was simply about what makes sense here? Do you want your evidence scattered around the country, or do we just send it all to one place when they develop those leads?” Nanos said.
The FBI initially expressed interest in analyzing a limited number of items at their national crime lab in Quantico, Virginia, but Nanos advocated for sending all collected evidence to the Florida lab, a suggestion the FBI ultimately agreed to. This decision, he explained, ensures a unified approach to DNA analysis and lead development.
Investigation Focuses on Surveillance Footage, Numerous Leads
Investigators are meticulously analyzing surveillance footage obtained from the Guthrie home, according to Nanos. He acknowledged the volume of leads generated by the case, stating, “Think of that video. I looked at it, you looked at it. We have a team of people who analyze that stuff and break it down. There are hundreds of leads out there.” He emphasized that significant leads are immediately shared with the FBI for joint discussion and evaluation.
The FBI has released additional details regarding a person captured on surveillance video at Guthrie’s residence and has increased the reward for information leading to her whereabouts to $100,000, according to a report from The Arizona Republic. Investigators have already received over 13,000 tips from the public.
Concerns Raised Over Evidence Handling
The handling of physical evidence has been a point of scrutiny. Reports indicated that the Pima County Sheriff’s Department was preventing the FBI from accessing key evidence, including a glove found near Guthrie’s home. Nanos clarified that the department is cooperating fully with the FBI and that the decision to send evidence to a private lab in Florida was made to streamline the analysis process. The New York Post reported Nanos stated that the value of gloves discovered near the home was still being assessed, noting “quite a number of them” were found.
Nanos also addressed past controversies surrounding his tenure as sheriff, acknowledging previous lawsuits, FBI investigations, and election disputes, as highlighted by Fox News. He maintained that these past issues would not impede the current investigation.
A Long-Term Investigation
When asked about the potential duration of the investigation, Nanos acknowledged the uncertainty, stating, “I wish we were talking minutes, but these cases can be weeks and months and sometimes, sadly, even years.” He reaffirmed his department’s unwavering commitment to finding Nancy Guthrie, emphasizing, “What I want people to know is we’re not giving up at any time. All the cameras can go, the national media can leave. We’re still here. We will find Nancy.”
Anyone with information regarding Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance is urged to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or submit a tip online at http://tips.fbi.gov.
The investigation remains active, and authorities continue to pursue all available leads. The focus remains on gathering and analyzing evidence, following up on tips from the public, and working collaboratively with federal partners to bring Nancy Guthrie home.
Please share this article and any information you may have with authorities. Your contribution, no matter how slight it may seem, could be crucial to this ongoing investigation.