Nancy Guthrie Disappearance: Police Under Pressure as Key Evidence Emerges
Frustration is mounting in the investigation into the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, as police authorities admit they have found no suspects over six days into the intensive search. The 84-year-old vanished from her home in Tucson, Arizona, overnight on Saturday, January 31, sparking a nationwide concern. Investigators have returned to the scene three times to seize critical evidence, with the latest search occurring on Friday after a new message was sent to KOLD, a local Tucson news outlet. This message appeared to be from individuals claiming to hold Nancy for ransom, adding a chilling twist to the case.
Ransom Messages and Family Pleas
Earlier in the week, messages were also sent to KOLD and TMZ, which officials have not verified as legitimate but are treating seriously as potential leads. On Thursday, Nancy's daughter, Savannah Guthrie, host of the Today Show, joined her siblings Annie and Camron in a heartfelt video plea. They urged their mother's abductors to communicate with them if the ransom notes prove to be real, highlighting the emotional toll on the family.
Sheriff's Statements and Scrutiny
The man leading the search, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos, stated at a press conference hours earlier that he believes Nancy is still alive. However, Sheriff Nanos has come under scrutiny amid the ongoing investigation. Sources within his department have told the Daily Mail that he made a series of missteps that slowed the search in its crucial first hours, putting investigators under the spotlight as they work to unravel the case.
Key Evidence in the Investigation
With investigators facing mounting pressure, here is a detailed look at the key evidence that has emerged in the Nancy Guthrie disappearance case.
Blood Found on Nancy's Doorstep
Soon after Nancy's disappearance shocked the nation, officials revealed they found critical evidence suggesting forced entry at the scene. The crime scene at Nancy's home was released by investigators within two days, and images emerged showing blood spatter around her front door. The blood appeared to have fallen in droplets from her door to her driveway. Forensics testing confirmed the blood belonged to Nancy, and the droplet pattern indicated she may have walked from her door while bleeding, pointing to a possible struggle or injury during the abduction.
Missing Doorbell Camera
Among the early indications of foul play was a doorbell camera fitted to Nancy Guthrie's front door, which appeared to have been removed. At a press conference on Thursday, Sheriff Nanos disclosed that investigators found the doorbell camera disconnected at 1:47 a.m. on February 1, around the time Nancy was believed to have been abducted. Nanos noted that at 2:12 a.m., a person was detected by the camera's sensors, but no images were captured because the device had been disconnected. On Friday, he added that investigators were unable to access any data from the entire evening, as Nancy did not have an active subscription, marking a significant setback in the search.
Nancy's Pacemaker Disconnected
At the same press conference, Sheriff Nanos also revealed that Nancy's pacemaker app, which synced data from her heartbeat, cut off from her Apple Watch's Bluetooth at 2:28 a.m. on Sunday. Nancy's Apple Watch was found inside the home on Sunday morning, and the device likely disconnected when taken out of range, indicating she was removed from the home in the dead of night. This detail underscores the urgency of the search, given Nancy's frail health and poor mobility, which requires her to take medication daily.
White Van Spotted in the Neighborhood
One of Nancy's neighbors, Brett McIntire, 72, reported a suspicious white van looming on their street before her abduction. McIntire told the New York Post that the vehicle lacked any company branding, unlike normal work vehicles, and was parked on the street. He spotted it a few days before Nancy's disappearance and answered basic questions from police about the sighting, adding another potential clue to the investigation.
Ongoing Challenges and Public Interest
Officials have previously stated they have no reason to believe Nancy was targeted because of her daughter, Savannah Guthrie, who earns a reported $8 million salary at NBC and has a net worth estimated around $40 million. However, they have not ruled out any inquiries. As the search enters its seventh day, the combination of blood evidence, technological gaps, and suspicious sightings continues to fuel public interest and pressure on law enforcement to solve this perplexing case.
