Six months after Nancy Guthrie was kidnapped from her home near Tucson, Arizona, authorities still have not solved the case.
The Wall Street Journal published a report on Saturday, Aug. 1, saying the reason the case remains open may have something to do with the response by the Pima County Sheriff’s Department.
Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of Today co-host Savannah Guthrie, was reported missing on Feb. 1. Yet a joint local and federal task force seems no closer to finding the mother of three or arresting her kidnapper.
The Journal said authorities have “little to show” in the case because of “missteps” early in the investigation.
The outlet said it reached that conclusion after interviewing current and former county and federal officials and people close to the investigation, as well as reviewing hours of video streamed live from the area around Guthrie’s home, and personnel files obtained through public records requests.
Related: Devastated Savannah Guthrie Fears Her Fame Led to Mom’s Kidnapping
The report said Pima Country sheriff’s deputies did not initially seal off the property with crime-scene tape, and allowed reporters, live streamers, and delivery drivers access to the porch, potentially contaminating the crime-scene and evidence.
The publication alleged investigators “minimized the importance of dried blood” found on the porch. DNA testing later confirmed the blood belonged to Guthrie, and it is now believed to be connected to the abduction.
The Journal also alleged Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos “sidelined” deputies who supported his opponent in the 2024 election, instead of putting all hands on deck.
Nanos, 70, denied the claims made in the article.
“I can assure everybody that we are working hard every day with all of our partners,” he told the outlet. “This case is not cold.”
An FBI spokesperson suggested local authorities are to blame. “The state is the lead in this investigation, has always been the lead.”
On Friday, the sheriff’s department released two ransom notes investigators believe were sent by the kidnappers, in hopes of generating new leads.
One note was sent on Feb. 6 to a Tucson news outlet. It said Guthrie, who had heart problems and used a pacemaker, died shortly after she was kidnapped.
“We did not fully grasp the seriousness of her physical condition,” the note read. “We never intended to hurt her, that was not our intention. She perished shortly after she was taken. We believe it was heart related. She is buried in nature now.”
The letter also included an apology. “We want your family to know this and hope you all can find peace. We are truly sorry.”
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