Pima County sheriff says investigators are withholding evidence as Nancy Guthrie case passes 100 days

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said this week that investigators are still holding back certain evidence in the missing-persons investigation into Nancy Guthrie, explaining that secrecy is necessary to protect the integrity of the case. The comments came as the search for the 84-year-old, who was taken from her Tucson home on Feb. 1 by a masked gunman, reached the 100-day mark.

In a sit-down interview, Nanos acknowledged there are pieces of evidence that have not been disclosed publicly. “Yes, absolutely there are. But it’s not done because we got to keep it secret,” he said when asked whether his department was withholding material. He added, “It’s done because we got to protect our case.”

Pima County law-enforcement official in a sit-down interview — investigators say some evidence is being withheld to protect an ongoing missing-persons probe.

Nanos repeated his long-standing assertion that investigators are narrowing in on who may be responsible. “I believe, at some point in time, we will make an arrest on this case,” he said, adding that anyone arrested would be entitled to a “fair and impartial trial.” He stressed that the probe remains active and that investigators are continuing to work with laboratory partners on both digital and biological evidence, including DNA.

A key piece of biological evidence in the investigation is a single strand of DNA described as a partial identifying marker that was extracted from a sample recovered at Guthrie’s Tucson residence. That material and several other DNA samples from the home were being subjected to further testing this week at an FBI crime lab after an initial submission went to a private laboratory in Florida. The sheriff acknowledged the testing process has been slow, saying it “moves at a snail pace,” but he maintained that investigators view the pace as producing the results they need for the inquiry.

Portrait of the missing woman shown smiling and waving from home; authorities say they are keeping certain evidence secret as the search continues.

Nanos said officials hope the DNA results will eventually be linked to several pieces of digital evidence that detectives have gathered but have not disclosed publicly. He emphasized coordination between local and federal authorities, noting that the FBI was involved from the outset and remains engaged in the investigation. “Day one, the FBI was involved in this case, and they continue to be involved in this case. Every single day,” he said.

The sheriff gave the interview shortly before he skipped a Tuesday public meeting that had been called amid demands for his removal over allegations related to his disciplinary history. That controversy has drawn criticism of how some aspects of the hunt were handled early on, but Nanos pushed back against suggestions the inquiry has stalled, saying there is “way too much work to be done” with the physical evidence collected from Guthrie’s home and that investigators will not abandon the effort simply because the case has reached 100 days.

Nanos reiterated that investigators are balancing the need for transparency with the need to preserve investigative advantage. He said his team is coordinating with laboratories on both the biological testing and analysis of digital material, and he expressed confidence that the evidence being developed will advance the case. Those working the case, he said, are “working hard to get this resolved, and I think every day they get closer.”

As testing continues at the FBI lab and digital leads are pursued, the sheriff confirmed that investigators are intentionally holding back some details publicly in order to protect investigative methods and potential prosecution. He declined to specify which items remain withheld, reiterating that keeping certain information secret is part of preserving the ability to pursue charges and secure a fair trial for anyone ultimately accused in the abduction.

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ADDITIONAL FACTS

1. Nancy Guthrie is a widow whose husband died in 2019; she lived alone with her small dog, which was found unharmed inside the residence after the abduction (Source: family statements shared by @KGUN9).
2. The Pima County Sheriff's Department confirmed more than 250 tips have been received and investigated since February, with the majority submitted in the first 30 days (@pimasheriff).
3. In March 2024, search teams used drones and K-9 units to check several washes and undeveloped areas northeast of Tucson based on anonymous tips (Source: @TucsonNewsNow).
4. NamUs and the National Center for Missing & Exploited Adults entered the case into their national databases within 48 hours of the abduction (organization: NamUs).
5. A March 2024 community canvass organized by neighbors covered a 10-mile radius and distributed 5,000 flyers featuring Guthrie's photo (@FindMissingAZ).

FEEDBACK ON SOCIAL MEDIA

1. Local news accounts such as @KGUN9 and @KOLD13 shared clips of Sheriff Nanos' interview, generating modest engagement (under 400 likes per post) primarily from Tucson residents.
2. Several users expressed frustration over the lack of arrests after 100 days, with comments like "How is this still unsolved in 2024?" appearing under news threads (@TucsonLocal2024).
3. Advocacy accounts including @AZMissingPersons called for increased reward money and more FBI resources, referencing similar cold cases in southern Arizona.
4. A small number of residents organized a candlelight vigil scheduled for May 18 via X posts, urging the community to "bring Nancy home" (@PimaVoices).
5. Overall activity remains low and localized; the topic has not trended, with most conversation limited to news reposts rather than widespread public discussion or viral initiatives.