Experts Reveal ‘Critical Misstep’ in Nancy Guthrie Investigation That Could Have Changed Everything

Two months into the search for 84-year-old Arizona resident Nancy Guthrie, investigators remain in the dark about her whereabouts as criticism mounts over the initial response by the Pima County Sheriff’s Department.

Savannah Guthrie’s mother was reported missing from her ranch-style home in Tucson on February 1, after attending a family gathering the night before. Local authorities, working alongside the Federal Bureau of Investigation, have so far been unable to solve the case.

Law enforcement experts have raised concerns over potential errors in the early stages of the investigation, including re-opening the crime scene. Former Nassau County Police Department Lieutenant Michael Gould told HELLO! there were “critical missteps” in the investigation.

“In this case, there was no operational urgency to release the scene,” Gould said. “The victim lived alone, the location was not a high-traffic environment, and there was no immediate need to return the property to normal use. Under those circumstances, maintaining control of the scene for an extended period would have been both reasonable and necessary.”

Gould said he believes Nancy “likely lost her life early in this incident,” and criticized the decision to limit cadaver dogs.

“The decision to discontinue or limit the use of cadaver dogs is, in my opinion, a critical misstep,” Gould said. “Properly trained human remains detection dogs are among the most effective tools available in cases like this, particularly when searching for evidence that is otherwise invisible.”

Local authorities used cadaver dogs early in the investigation, but discontinued them around the fifth week. “They are available if needed in the future,” Sherriff Chris Nanos told Fox News Digital in mid-March.

Most departments, including the Pima County Sheriff's Department, do not have their own cadaver dogs and borrow them from state and federal authorities or neighboring jurisdictions. In this case, Nanos initially sought K-9 assistance from the Border Patrol.

Gould, who specializes in canine scent detection and human remains detection, said investigators should utilize cadaver dogs once again and added that Nancy “will ultimately be located within a relatively short distance of her home.”

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos has said he has no regrets about the investigation.

“Look, I have no regrets about my team and their efforts. I don’t regret [that] we let the crime scene go too soon or any of that,” Nanos said in an interview with News 4 Tucson.

“Having ‘no regrets’ in the face of legitimate concerns does not reflect confidence; it reflects a troubling lack of self-awareness. The questions surrounding this case deserve clear, direct answers,” Gould said.

While several law enforcement experts have earlier said the abduction appeared to be targeted, Gould agreed. “From the outset, my position has not changed: this does not appear to be a random crime,” he said.

“A random burglary is highly unlikely. Burglars do not typically enter occupied homes – especially through primary access points – without some understanding of who may be inside. That level of risk is inconsistent with opportunistic criminal behavior.”

He continued, “The idea of kidnapping an 84-year-old woman for financial gain is extraordinarily rare. To me, this suggests: A targeted event, a likely personal or emotional motive, rather than financial, [and] perpetrator who may have had some level of familiarity with the victim or environment.”