A recent Wall Street Journal report, released on Saturday night, highlights several potential missteps by the Pima County Sheriff’s Department regarding their investigation into Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance. The search, which began in February, has seen minimal advancement.
According to the WSJ, which references personal files and interviews with current and former federal officers and those familiar with the case, there were initial concerns about Sgt. David Stivers, the head of homicide, who was appointed by Sheriff Chris Nanos. Records allegedly indicate that Stivers was reprimanded for “poor judgment” two months prior to Guthrie’s case and was criticized for delays in handling crime-scene evidence in a prior homicide investigation, which led to charges being dropped due to insufficient evidence, as reported by the WSJ.
Individuals associated with the case informed the WSJ that when Stivers and his team arrived at Guthrie’s home on February 1, they found dried blood on her front porch. Initially dismissed as unrelated, DNA testing later confirmed the blood belonged to Guthrie and is now considered relevant to the case. The WSJ noted that deputies failed to secure the property with police tape, which allowed reporters, livestreamers, and delivery drivers to access the porch, potentially compromising sensitive evidence.
The WSJ further reported that the department’s senior pilot was demoted following a workplace complaint shortly before Guthrie’s abduction. This reportedly resulted in significant delays in deploying a search and rescue plane during the critical early phase of the search.
Sheriff Nanos contested The Journal’s findings, stating in an interview, “I can assure everybody that we are working hard every day with all of our partners.” He added that “corporate America” has extended assistance from some of the brightest minds in the country and emphasized that the case “is not cold.”
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department did not immediately respond to Variety‘s request for comment on the allegations.
“Today” host Savannah Guthrie has actively used social media to appeal for her mother’s return. In late July, she posted a video on Instagram directly addressing her mother’s captors. She implored, “The world can be a cruel and unforgiving place, and I know that you have tried to do things the right way. So I’m asking you, begging you to do the right thing now. Make the right choice. Help us find her. Tell us where to look for her. I truly believe it is never too late to do the right thing. Help us bring this situation to an end. For all of us, no matter where we’ve been and what we’ve done, I believe there is always a way home. Please make the right choice.”
