Nancy Guthrie Case Not Cold: Pima County Sheriff Says Only One Scenario Signals a Problem

As Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance marks four months, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos has shared new insight into the case. The sheriff has long faced criticism for the slow progress of the investigation.

Many have also raised concerns that the case may go cold, as no suspects have been arrested even months later. However, Nanos has reaffirmed that his team is still working to locate Guthrie, and the case is far from going cold.

In an interview with People, Nanos said that investigators are focused on obtaining results from DNA evidence. He emphasized that the labs are still analyzing the samples and that the case will not go cold as long as the analysis continues.

“I know we have DNA that is unknown who the contributor or depositor is, but I think they’re getting closer to finding out who that was,” Nanos said, adding, “[I have] confidence in our labs. When the labs tell us, ‘Hey, there's nothing else we can do,’ well, then maybe we've got a problem… we've got a cold case... but right now, the labs aren't telling us that.”

The sheriff added that, apart from DNA evidence, his team is also focused on reviewing thousands of other leads, including surveillance footage. The clues, he says, will eventually help them crack the case. “My team, I’ve said all along, they’re gonna solve this. I fully 100% believe that,” he said.

Nanos’ statement comes just days after reports emerged suggesting that Guthrie’s daughter, Savannah Guthrie, has turned to private investigators to find her mother. Sources quoted by journalist Rob Shutter revealed that Savannah is disappointed with the slow pace of the official investigation by the Pima County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

“Savannah is paying whatever it takes to keep this search active. She refuses to rely solely on law enforcement,” the sources said, adding, “She still believes her mom can be found. That’s why the private investigators are still working every single day.”

During the interview, Nanos acknowledged that the Guthrie family and the public may be frustrated with the slow progress. However, he emphasized that his team is proceeding carefully as they do not want to make any false arrests.

“The public is frustrated. Even the Guthrie family [is]. Every passing second must feel like 100 days because they don't know. What matters is moving forward carefully so we don't make mistakes or falsely accuse somebody or make a bad arrest,” Nanos said.

Guthrie, 84, was last seen on the night of January 31. Investigators believe she was abducted from her home in Catalina Foothills in the middle of the night. At the time, her heart’s pacemaker had been disconnected from her phone, and droplets of blood were noticed on her front porch.

Savannah has reportedly spent around $500,000 to conduct a private investigation into her mother’s disappearance. Her family has also offered a $1 million reward to anyone who comes forward with information about Guthrie's whereabouts.