Investigators in the Pima County Sheriff's office are facing scrutiny over their initial handling of evidence in the February 1 kidnapping of 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie from her home near Tucson, Arizona. Sources have indicated that detectives allegedly gave "little regard" to dried blood found on the front porch of Guthrie's home in the hours immediately following her disappearance.
Despite the presence of blood, which was later confirmed to be Guthrie's and is now believed to be connected to her abduction, investigators reportedly dismissed it as potentially stemming from a minor injury like a nosebleed or a bump to the head. This detail emerged as the family marked the six-month anniversary of Guthrie's disappearance, with her daughter, Savannah Guthrie, issuing a heartfelt plea for information.
Savannah Guthrie, host of the Today Show, shared her family's ongoing agony and despair on Instagram, stating, "Six months ago, someone took her out of her bed in the dead of night. We have lived every moment, every breath, and every heartbeat in agony and despair ever since." She emphasized the family's determination to find answers and provide her mother with a "dignity of a proper goodbye."
Authorities have released two ransom notes that were sent to the Guthrie family, including one that claimed Nancy had died and was "buried in nature now." The notes, received on February 2 and February 6, were sent to a local television station before being turned over to the Pima County Sheriff's Office and the FBI. Sheriff Chris Nanos stated the notes were released to the public in hopes that someone might recognize the writer's distinctive language or style.
One of the notes contained specific details about Guthrie's home, such as a broken floodlight and a white smartwatch found on her bedroom floor, which suggested authenticity. The family is offering a reward of up to $1 million for information leading to Nancy's recovery.
In addition to the ransom notes, authorities also recovered two videos from Guthrie's doorbell camera that may have been recorded on different days. These videos reportedly show an unidentified male appearing to tamper with a camera on the front porch and then block it with a plant. The FBI described the individual as a male approximately 5 feet, 9 inches tall. The investigation remains active, with detectives reviewing numerous tips and leads. Authorities have not confirmed whether Nancy Guthrie is still alive.
Savannah Guthrie also revealed that when she first went to her mother's home searching for her, the back door had been left propped open. She continues to implore anyone with information to come forward, stating, "There is a way out - to tell what you know. You can do so anonymously. The reward is available. There is a way to end this situation and do the right thing."