Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos issued a statement over the weekend clearing the family of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of “Today” show co-host Savannah Guthrie, of any involvement in her disappearance, a move prompted by rampant speculation online and among amateur sleuths.
The statement came as the investigation into Guthrie’s abduction from her Tucson home on February 1 enters its third week and as the case has drawn intense public scrutiny, fueled by livestreamers, podcasts, and social media posts filled with theories and, at times, misinformation. “The family has been nothing but cooperative and gracious and are victims in this case,” Sheriff Nanos said. “To suggest otherwise is not only wrong, it is cruel.” He later told NBC News he felt compelled to address the speculation because “sometimes we forget we’re human and we hurt and kindness matters.”
Authorities have repeatedly closed and reopened the crime scene at Guthrie’s house near Tucson, according to The New York Times. The FBI has received over 18,000 tips, and the Pima County Sheriff’s Department has been inundated with more than 50,000 calls, more than double the number received at this point last year.
The surge in public interest has presented challenges for investigators. Paul Vernon, a retired police captain who oversaw homicide detectives for the LAPD, explained that “all the speculation doesn’t help. The detectives and police public relations people have to spend so much time to correct it. Then it fills the tip lines and gets in the way of real investigative leads.”
The case has attracted a growing number of amateur investigators. Live streamers have camped outside Guthrie’s home and the home of one of her daughters, broadcasting updates and theories. True crime podcasters, like Dana Bowling of the Daily Dose of Dana podcast, have dedicated episodes to the case, analyzing public information and past cases. Some have even begun to publicly speculate about potential suspects, prompting concerns about the impact on individuals and the investigation.
Molly Dare Hillenbrand, a public relations professional, has discussed the case on Instagram, hoping that public engagement might uncover a new lead. “For so long the media has been brought in to help with these kinds of cases,” she said. “In some cases, it’s been really helpful to investigators when people see things they don’t see or notice a pattern of some sort.”
The intense scrutiny has also led to incidents that have potentially hampered the investigation. Last week, a Domino’s delivery driver walked past deputies stationed at the crime scene after a viewer ordered food to be delivered to a livestreamer outside Guthrie’s property. The sheriff’s department responded with a post on X, stating, “One can’t believe we have to say this, but media on scene: please do not order food delivery to a crime scene address. This interferes with an active investigation.”
Investigators are currently awaiting DNA evidence results from a Range Rover SUV that was towed from a Tucson-area Culver’s restaurant late Friday, according to Arizona’s Family. An inside source told the news outlet that investigators believe the abduction may have been a burglary gone wrong, and that the suspect’s mask and clothing were likely purchased at Walmart. However, authorities have stated that video footage from Guthrie’s Nest camera, captured on the morning of her disappearance, holds the key to solving the case.
On Sunday, Savannah Guthrie filmed a video pleading for her mother’s safe return, her voice filled with emotion. “Unfortunately, this is big enough and widespread enough in terms of the interest that people will exploit it without thinking much of how it affects those in the middle of it,” said Karen North, a professor of digital social media and psychology at USC.
Despite the intense public interest, investigators have not yet announced any arrests or significant breakthroughs. A glove found roughly two miles from Guthrie’s home did not yield a DNA match. The investigation continues.
