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By Kate Plummer
Senior US News Reporter
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A former FBI agent has questioned whether local law enforcement's decision not to utilize civilian search experts in their efforts to find Nancy Guthrie could mean investigators are "close to an arrest."
The Context
Nancy Guthrie, the mother of Today show co-host Savannah Guthrie, has been missing for more than a month. She was last seen at her home on January 31 and was reported missing the following day. Authorities believe she was kidnapped and said drops of her blood were found on the front porch.
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Since the first days of her disappearance, authorities have expressed concern about her health because she needs vital daily medication.
What To Know
Volunteer-led search organization United Cajun Navy last week offered a "full operation package" to Sheriff Chris Nanos, who is leading the search but did not get a response, the nonprofit's vice president Brian Trascher told Crime Stories with Nancy Grace.
The United Cajun Navy specializes in responses linked to natural disasters, including aid delivery and search-and-rescue operations.
Retired FBI agent Jennifer Coffindaffer questioned the decision to turn down such offers, writing on X on Tuesday: "Wondering why Sheriff Nanos keeps turning away proven very capable civilian search experts like EquuSearch and the real Cajun Navy? Is LE close to an arrest and they know what happened to Nancy so they don't want to waste the valuable resources of these groups? But why won't the sheriff at least acknowledge these groups? Half glass full. Hoping LE is getting closer."
Last month, the FBI released surveillance images of a masked man on Nancy Guthrie’s porch on the night she disappeared. It later said the man is a suspect and have appealed for information from the public in a bid to identify him.
Coffindaffer previously said the case will be solved when someone who knows the suspect eventually provides law enforcement with the necessary information.
“I think the number one way this case is going to be solved, in my opinion, is somebody coming forward that knows him,” Coffindaffer told Newsweek.
“You know, a girlfriend that gets angry at him or a family member that finds some sort of moral compass or wants that $1.2 million and finds that is worth it to go ahead and betray their loved one.”
What People Are Saying
The Pima County Sheriff's Department, in a statement on February 27: "This remains an active investigation and will continue until Nancy Guthrie is located or all leads have been exhausted. The Pima County Sheriff’s Department is refocusing resources to detectives specifically assigned to this case. As leads are developed and resolved, resource allocation may fluctuate. PCSD will maintain a patrol presence in the Guthrie neighborhood."
Savannah Guthrie, on Instagram last week: "We feel the love and prayers from our neighbors, from the Tucson community and from around the country. ... Please don't stop praying and hoping with us. bring her home."
What Happens Next
Nancy Guthrie’s family is offering a $1 million reward for information that leads to her recovery, and a separate reward of more than $200,000 is being offered for information about her whereabouts or that could lead to the arrest and conviction of anyone involved in her disappearance.
Anyone with information is urged to contact 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324), 520-351-4900 or 88-CRIME or visit tips.fbi.gov.
Correction 3/11/26, 6:11 a.m. ET: An errant reference to Savannah instead of Nancy Guthrie was removed.
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