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The ongoing quest to find Nancy Guthrie, mother of renowned broadcaster Savannah Guthrie, has now stretched into its fourth week. Amidst growing public interest, the Pima County Sheriff’s Department has issued a clear request for the public to step back and allow the professionals to handle the investigation.
In a statement shared on February 21 through social media platform X, the department addressed the eagerness of volunteer groups wanting to join the search efforts. They emphasized the importance of giving law enforcement the necessary space to conduct a thorough investigation, asking, “Private Search Parties: Volunteer search groups have inquired about being in the area. Per the Sheriff, they were asked to please give investigators the space they need to do their work.”
While acknowledging the public’s desire to help, the department stressed that the search for the 84-year-old Nancy is best managed by trained professionals. Nevertheless, they assured that “volunteer opportunities” are available for those wishing to contribute in a more structured manner.
Furthermore, the department reminded the public of legal constraints, stating, “Private property laws apply and it is up to each individual property owner to grant permission for someone to search their property.”
The announcement sparked a mix of reactions online, with several individuals expressing frustration and skepticism in the comments section.
“Why are investigators opposed to forming search parties? No wonder you haven’t found her!” one X user wrote.
Another added, “It has been 3 weeks. There are no suspects, no real leads, no press conferences, and no Nancy. You’ve whined and complained about the media and people volunteering to help find her at every turn. It’s almost like…you don’t want her to be found.”
Others defended the department’s reasoning, saying that authorities were “worried that untrained searchers could trample these delicate sites before the FBI and local forensics teams can finish their sweep.”
Nancy was last seen on January 31 at her home around 9:30 p.m. after being dropped off by her daughter Annie Guthrie and son-in-law Tommaso Cioni. When she didn’t show up to watch a streaming church service the next morning at a friend’s house, they became worried and contacted one of Nancy’s family members.
She was officially reported missing the following day and authorities said that it appeared Nancy had been taken from her home against her will overnight.
As In Touch previously reported, sources told CBS News that the FBI had been in contact with Mexican law enforcement regarding Nancy’s disappearance.
According to FBI Director Kash Patel, security footage from Nancy’s Nest captured what appears to be a masked, armed man manipulating the camera. Authorities also ran DNA tests on gloves recovered approximately two miles from Nancy’s residence, though no suspect was identified through the analysis.