A former FBI agent told Newsweek that Savannah Guthrie indicates in her first interview since her mother disappeared two months ago that investigators do not appear to be any closer to solving the case.
The Today show co-host was asked about how she and her family feel about the way the investigation into Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance was conducted in the first part of an interview with her colleague and friend Hoda Kotb that aired Thursday.
“People have worked tirelessly, tirelessly, and we see that,” she said. “But we need answers.”
Coffindaffer told Newsweek that the remark indicates that investigators have yet to find “a pointer” that could lead to Nancy Guthrie’s recovery or any arrests.
The Context
Nancy Guthrie was last seen at her home outside Tucson, Arizona, on January 31 and reported missing on February 1. Authorities believe the 84-year-old was kidnapped, and drops of her blood were found on her front porch.
The FBI released surveillance footage from a doorbell camera in February, showing a masked man, whom they called a suspect, outside Guthrie’s front door on the night she disappeared. But since then, investigators have not identified a suspect or provided the public with information about any significant breakthroughs in the case.
What To Know
Savannah Guthrie “was clear, she was grateful, she said they’ve worked hard, and then she got a very serious look on her face,” Coffindaffer said.
“She said, but we need answers. In other words, thank you for all the hard work, thank for everything you’re doing, we have no answers.”
Coffindaffer said it shows investigators don’t have “facts that are leading them in a direction” to solve the case.
“They don’t have the pointer. We’ve known that by watching what law enforcement is doing and not doing,” she said.
“They’re not making any arrests like they were at the beginning. Because believe me if they had a pointer, if they had even probable cause or reasonable suspicion, they would descend on somebody like they did early in the investigation…I could tell there is seemingly no light on any sort of answers.”
Authorities detained a man for questioning in connection with Guthrie’s disappearance hours after the FBI released the surveillance footage on February 10, but he was released without charge after several hours.
Coffindaffer said Savannah Guthrie’s comments line up with the answers that Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos has offered when asked about the investigation.
“He’s very general. He’s very vague,” she said.
“His words line up with Savannah’s, that they just don’t know or that they don’t have answers…he talks about all these directions they’re going in, but he never talks about any answers.”
Nanos has faced criticism about his handling of the investigation, with some accusing him of making mistakes including releasing the crime scene too early. He said in a recent interview that he has no regrets about how the investigation has been conducted.
The sheriff is also under pressure to resign over recent revelations about his disciplinary history. A union representing more than 300 deputies in the Pima County Sheriff’s Department called on him to step down after passing an unanimous no-confidence vote earlier this week.
On Tuesday, Pima County supervisors voted unanimously to direct an attorney to draft questions under a state law that would compel the sheriff to provide reports regarding his department, with non-compliance providing a path for Nanos to be removed from his position.
A spokesperson for the sheriff’s department told Newsweek that Nanos will comply once more direction is provided.
“He has always been transparent and will provide a report once more direction is provided by the Pima County Administrator. Because this is a legal matter, the Sheriff is unable to comment any further on this matter,” the spokesperson said.
What People Are Saying
Savannah Guthrie said in the interview: “We cannot be at peace without knowing and someone can do the right thing. It is never too late to do the right thing and our hearts are focused on that.”
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said in an interview with KOLD on Monday: “We have so much in front of us. And we believe we have good evidence in front of us. Will that dry up? Could I be wrong? Absolutely. Anything is possible, but we’re not giving up.”
What Happens Next
The final part of Savannah Guthrie’s interview is set to air on Friday.
Authorities and the Guthrie family continue to call for anyone with information about the case to come forward. 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.
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