Nancy Guthrie Case: Unusual Home Upgrade Draws Criticism Online; Users Say 'Should Have Happened Day One'

Nancy Guthrie has been missing for more than a hundred days now. The 84-year-old woman was allegedly taken from her home in Catalina Foothills on the night of February 1. Ever since, the property has been thrust into the spotlight, and multiple independent journalists and self-styled investigators have livestreamed from around her neighborhood.

The home has now received an upgrade, as a chain has been installed across the driveway outside the property. Multiple people who are still reporting from Catalina Foothills have revealed that the entrance to Guthrie’s driveway has been barricaded with a chain.

An X account, Daphne’s Case Files, posted a video of the property on social media, showing two small poles on either side with a chain hanging between them. A traffic pole has been placed in the middle. Additionally, a sign is seen hanging from the chain.

Gonzo Journalist Jonathan Lee Riches, who has closely followed the case, also shared a clip from outside Guthrie’s home, which gave a closer look at the chain. The video revealed that the hanging sign says, “Private Property, No Trespassing.”

While the measures appeared to be taken to prevent enthusiastic true crime lovers from entering the property, the placement of the chain has sparked varied reactions on social media. Some pointed out that the signage should have been installed from the very first day of the investigation.

“I feel like they should’ve had the drive way closed off from day 1,” one person wrote on X. Another responded, “Should have happened day one.” Some also pointed out that the measures are not sufficient to keep trespassers out.

One individual wrote, “They bought cheap chains and a few signs and upgraded security to protect a house. Did nothing to protect Nancy.” A second person remarked, “Security? I mean anyone can step over it. But I think it’s for added security to keep people off the property.”

A social media user also suggested that the chains might have been placed to alert people who may not know it is a crime scene. “I think it is to keep any cars from pulling in and/or turning around. Especially while the streamers are there…deliveries and such. Drivers may not know the house is technically a crime scene,” they wrote.

Meanwhile, the search for Guthrie and the hunt for her kidnappers continue. The Pima County Sheriff's Office (PCSO) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) have been jointly handling the case for more than three months.

While FBI director Kash Patel earlier accused PCSO of excluding them from the initial investigation, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos refuted the allegations. Investigators are now focused on obtaining results from DNA evidence collected from Guthrie’s home.

After analysis at a private lab failed to yield results, the FBI has sent the sample to an official lab in Quantico. However, the suspects remain at large, and investigators still have no information about Guthrie’s whereabouts.