Guthrie’s home appears to show suspect on a different day

TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) – A law enforcement source told 13 News that a photo of the suspect in the Nancy Guthrie case appears to have been taken on a different day than the other ones released by the FBI.

The source confirmed the news on Monday, Feb. 23, but could not say when that photo was actually taken.

13 News reached out to Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos, and he said that information did not come from the PCSD or the FBI.

“There is no date or time stamp associated with these images,” the PCSD said in a release. “Therefore, any suggestion that the photographs were taken on different days is purely speculative. As with any investigation, conclusions will be guided by verifiable evidence and established facts. Speculation, without factual support, does not advance the investigative process.”

The photo, which can be seen below on the left, was among a batch released by the FBI on Feb. 10. The suspect in that photo doesn’t have the backpack or gun that he has in the other video and pictures, like the one on the right.

Nanos said the investigation is just getting started, but they are hitting some speed bumps.

He said some of the biological samples that have been recovered in the case feature DNA from multiple people, possibly including the suspect pictured above.

Nanos said it will take time, possibly months, to separate the DNA samples so they can be fed into law enforcement databases.

A former FBI agent told 13 News the DNA samples could be from blood, saliva, or sweat.

“Sometimes in violent scenes, the offender and the victim both are injured, both have blood,” said Morgan Wright, the founder and CEO of the National Center for Open and Unsolved Cases. “It could be saliva, it could be sweat, there’s a variety of ways that you get DNA from certain things.”

Nanos confirmed investigators are still working to identify the clothing the suspect was wearing in the security video from Guthrie’s home. The suspect’s backpack, gun, and holster have already been identified. The backpack was tracked to Walmart, and investigators have been going through video and online sales reports.

The 84-year-old Guthrie, the mother of Today show host Savannah Guthrie, was reported missing from her Catlaina Foothills home on Feb. 1. She was last seen when her son-in-law dropped her off at home after having dinner on Jan. 31.

DAY 22: Volunteer searchers find backpack

Community volunteers and vloggers took to the desert Sunday, Feb. 22, in search of clues in the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie.

Organizers distributed maps and a list of items for volunteers to look for, including clothing, jewelry, masks, and gloves. The search focused on washes between Nancy Guthrie’s home and the intersection of Oracle and Orange Grove.

Alex Zabel, who helped organize the search, said the goal was to support — not interfere with — the ongoing investigation.

“We feel it’s our duty to find her,” Zabel said. “It’s everybody’s mom, everybody’s grandmother.”

Volunteer Jim Peterson addressed the group at the start of the search, directing participants to maps and materials.

“I just want to thank everyone for coming, and we have some maps over here,” Peterson said.

The PCSD on Saturday took to social media to ask the public to hold off on searches for Guthrie.

“We appreciate their concern, and we all want to find Nancy, but this work is best left to professionals,” the PCSD said. “PCSD has volunteer opportunities if they wish to get involved with the department.”

Zabel said the group understood the boundaries of their role.

“We’re searchers, we’re not investigators, and, you know, it’s pretty simple,” Zabel said. “If we find anything, we take pictures of it, we send it to an email, they’ll vet it out if it’s anything important, and if it’s not, you know.”

Volunteers searched the Pima Wash area and said they recovered several articles of clothing and a backpack, which they notified PCSD about.

PCSD said those items were collected and examined at a nearby substation on Sunday morning. In a message to 13 News, a spokesperson wrote, “After reviewing the bag and its contents, it does not appear that this is a viable lead for the investigation”.

They added that the bag appears to have been outside for longer than three weeks.

Volunteer Christy W. said she was committed to joining the effort once a foot search was organized.

“I was determined if they did a foot search that I was going to be part of it,” she said.

Volunteer Maggie Q. said the search was personal for many participants.

“If it was any of our family members, we’d want someone looking,” she said. “It could even be one of us. So it’s really nice to just be here to support and help as much as we can.”

Volunteer Shauntay White, who also runs a YouTube channel and recorded the search for her audience, said she remained hopeful.

“I want to stay positive, and I just want to do my part as a human being to another human being,” she said.

Organizers said another search party may take place Monday, though that has not been confirmed. PCSD is reminding the public to consider private property laws before conducting any private search.

DAY 21: Helicopter not connected to case

The Pima County Sheriff’s Department confirmed Saturday, Feb. 21, that the helicopter seen over the Los Reales Landfill the day before had nothing to do with the Nancy Guthrie investigation.

On Friday, some national media outlets posted video from the chopper and claimed it was connected to the case. Most of the outlets removed that video later in the day.

Flight tracker websites showed the helicopter did a grid search of the landfill, leading to widespread speculation. The PCSD said it was a private company operating the aircraft.

Also on Saturday, the PCSD said its detectives and FBI agents were canvassing Guthrie’s neighborhood, and no additional details would be provided. There are no planned news conferences, but that could change.

A road near Guthrie’s home became a one-way street on Saturday. The move, which was announced on Friday and is only temporary, was due to the increased traffic in the area and came at the request of the homeowners’ association.

The PCSD said several hundred law enforcement members are still working the case and that the investigation would remain active “until Nancy Guthrie is found or all leads are exhausted.”

Volunteers have shown up to help search the area around Guthrie’s home, but Nanos is asking people to give investigators space and reminds everyone that it is private property. The Guthrie family would have to grant the searchers permission to enter.

“We appreciate their concern, and we all want to find Nancy, but this work is best left to professionals,” the PCSD said in a release on Saturday. “(The) PCSD has volunteer opportunities if they wish to get involved with the department.”

DAY 20: Road changes, expert weighs in

While there were no major developments in the Nancy Guthrie investigation on Friday, Feb. 20, Pima County said the road near her home was being temporarily turned into a one-way due to heavy traffic.

13 News talked with a retired lieutenant from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department about what is likely going on behind the scenes.

Gil Carillo said law enforcement has to be careful about what they share.

“The more they put out, the more information the suspect, or suspects, also gain,” Carillo said. “Because they’re following it just as close, clinging onto every word that goes out about the case. The less they know, the better off law enforcement is.”

A possible key to the case is the DNA that was recovered from inside the victim’s home. 13 News has already reported that it does not belong to Nancy Guthrie or anyone close to her.