Sheriff issues public plea as national broadcast spotlights new developments in Nancy Guthrie case
The disappearance of Nancy Guthrie took center stage during a recent broadcast of Fox News’ The Faulker Focus, where law enforcement officials addressed new developments and pushed back against growing online speculation.
Arizona Sheriff John Iannarelli joined host Harris Faulker to discuss the latest findings in the case involving the 84-year-old woman who vanished from her Tucson home. Investigators revealed that gloves recovered near the residence appear consistent with those seen in front-door surveillance footage captured the morning she disappeared.
According to authorities, the individual in that video was wearing gloves, a mask, and a backpack. Law enforcement officials believe the backpack and clothing items may have been purchased from Walmart, information that has now become part of the active investigation.
Officials confirm family cleared as online accusations intensify
During the interview, Sheriff Iannarelli directly addressed speculation circulating on the internet about the family’s potential involvement.
“There has been a lot of noise about, ‘is the family is involved,’” he said on Fox News. “That is hurtful. These are victims right now looking for their mother. That is painful enough without anybody in the public piling on.”
He issued a clear four-word message to online commentators: “Stop blaming the family.”
Authorities confirmed that DNA recovered during the investigation did not match any relatives of the missing woman. Sheriff Iannarelli emphasized that the family had been thoroughly questioned and cleared, noting that investigators have examined multiple aspects of the case.
“They are not worried about the family anymore,” he stated, explaining that resources are now focused on other investigative leads. He added that the family was cleared “in a variety of ways,” referencing DNA results, interviews, and reviews of whereabouts. He also indicated that even polygraph examinations could have been part of the process.
Law enforcement urges public cooperation as search enters third week
Nancy Guthrie was last seen by family members on January 31. Investigators are now in the third week of the search.
The surveillance footage has also led authorities to estimate that the person of interest may stand between 5’9 and 5’10. The Pima County Sheriff’s Department has publicly rejected claims that the case involved a burglary gone wrong.
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos told NBC News affiliate KVOA that between 40,000 and 50,000 tips have been received by his department and the FBI. The FBI is offering a $100,000 reward for information that leads to Nancy Guthrie’s location or to the arrest of a suspect.
Meanwhile, Nancy’s daughter, Today show co-host Savannah Guthrie, shared a message on Instagram expressing that she and her family “still have hope.” In the video, she appealed directly to anyone with knowledge of her mother’s whereabouts, saying, “It is never too late to do the right thing.”
Law enforcement officials continue to urge anyone with credible information to contact authorities as the investigation remains active.
