Nancy Guthrie's neighbors are pleading with the public to stop leaving flowers and other memorabilia outside her home, as it has attracted potential theft and pesky animals. Savannah Guthrie's mother vanished over three months ago, leaving many in her community of Catalina Foothills searching for answers.
The case has gained national attention, resulting in a media frenzy outside of Nancy's quiet, residential neighborhood on the northeastern outskirts of Tucson, Arizona. Will Pew, the President of the Catalina Foothills Association, released a newsletter earlier this week condemning 'disrespectful' behavior from nonresidents.
'Although leaving flowers, missives, and other items at Nancy’s house has been fueled by good intentions, due to javelinas, packrats, wind, and increasing temperatures, we encourage well-wishers to make a donation to World Vision,' he said, adding that it was an organization that Nancy loves.
Pew added that Ring camera footage of a masked figure stealing a potted cactus from someone's driveway has contributed to the unacceptable behavior outside of Nancy's home. In late April, residents of Catalina Foothills were once again left shaken when a masked figure was seen on a doorbell camera wearing gloves and loading several potted cacti into the bed of a truck. The incident appeared unrelated to Nancy's abduction, but was a chilling reminder of the footage of a masked suspect approaching her home before her disappearance.
Nancy was last seen on January 31, when she was dropped off at her $1 million home after dinner with her daughter, Annie, and son-in-law, Tommaso Cioni. Her front doorbell camera was disconnected, but the Federal Bureau of Investigation later recovered footage of a masked suspect with a backpack on her doorstep. Several ransom letters were also sent to TMZ and local news affiliates. Law enforcement investigated multiple people, but no arrests were made, and Nancy remains missing.
The shocking sequence of events has altered Nancy's otherwise peaceful community. 'While we share collective shock, sadness, and disbelief, we have also been struck by the messages of caring and solidarity that the CFA has received from so many of you and at the outpouring of gestures of kindness and compassion, such as tying yellow ribbons on the street in front of your own homes. We stand together,' Pew wrote in his spring newsletter.
'As with most of us who have lived here for decades, Nancy and her family are rooted in Tucson and the Catalina Foothills and she and her children and grandchildren have many, many close friends who are all suffering waiting for any news of her whereabouts,' Pew continued. He also urged those interested in the case to respect the family's privacy and to avoid posting about Nancy on social media.
The Guthrie family has been vocal since Nancy's disappearance, pleading with her alleged captors to return her safely. Earlier this month, Savannah returned to the Today show after a hiatus during the investigation. The NBC host shared a heartfelt Instagram reel on Mother's Day in honor of her mother, writing: 'mother, daughter, sister, Nonie - we miss you with every breath. We will never stop looking for you. We will never be at peace until we find you. We need help. Someone knows something that can make the difference. Call 1800CALLFBI. You can be anonymous and the reward remains available. Please keep praying. Bring her home.'
The Pima County Sheriff's Department has faced scrutiny for the months-long investigation. Sheriff Chris Nanos has now been accused of perjury as the county's board of supervisors voted unanimously to refer his actions to the office of Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes.
