Investigators in Pima County, Arizona, allegedly overlooked blood found on the porch of missing 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie, initially deeming it unrelated to her disappearance, according to a report citing sources familiar with the investigation. The Pima County Sheriff’s Department deputies reportedly did not properly seal off Guthrie's Catalina Foothills home for two days after she was reported missing on January 31.
During this initial two-day period, investigators reportedly debated whether Guthrie had been kidnapped or had become lost. Simultaneously, a search-and-rescue plane remained grounded because no deputy was trained to operate its surveillance system, the report states. The delay in securing the scene allowed reporters, delivery drivers, and other individuals access to the home amid the media attention.
Sgt. David Stivers, who leads homicide for Pima County, arrived at Guthrie’s home on the afternoon of February 1, hours after her family reported her missing when she failed to attend a virtual church service. Despite observing bloodstains on the porch, sources claim Stivers paid little attention, with investigators believing it stemmed from an unrelated minor injury such as a nosebleed or bumped head. Later DNA analysis confirmed the blood belonged to Nancy Guthrie, and investigators now believe it is connected to her kidnapping.
The report also noted that Stivers had been reprimanded two months prior for “poor judgment” in a previous homicide case, where he was accused of delaying the securing of evidence, which led to dropped charges due to insufficient evidence.
These details emerged days after information regarding two ransom notes sent to Guthrie’s family, including her daughter, Savannah Guthrie, a host on the “Today” show. The first note stated Nancy was being held for ransom, demanding Bitcoin payment within seven days for her safe release, and threatened death if payment was not received by February 9. A second note, sent days later, claimed Nancy had died accidentally and was “buried in nature,” offering apologies to the family without providing further details.