The Pima County Sheriff’s Department issued a warning to the general public about potential scams surrounding the investigation into the February 1 disappearance of Nancy Guthrie in Arizona.
Newsweek reached out to the department via email for comment on Tuesday night.
Why It Matters
The scam warning arrives as the high-profile search for Guthrie entered its eighth week, with authorities previously releasing doorbell camera footage of an armed, masked person and expressing concern about the 84-year-old’s need for daily medication.
Guthrie, the mother of Today show co-host Savannah Guthrie, was last seen at her home outside Tucson on January 31 and was reported missing the next day, with authorities saying drops of blood were found on her front porch.
What To Know
In the post to X on Tuesday, the sheriff’s department said, “Important notice regarding fundraising scams in the Guthrie investigation -“. The attached infographic read in part, “Please be advised there is no official GoFundMe or any fundraising effort associated with the Guthrie investigation.”
The post later added, “The public is urged to remain vigilant and not send money to anyone claiming to raise funds related to this case.”
Authorities released doorbell camera footage last month showing a man on Guthrie’s porch wearing a ski mask, gloves and a handgun holster, and have described the suspect as a male about 5-foot-9 or 5-foot-10 with an average build and carrying a 25-liter Ozark Trail Hiker Pack backpack.
Investigators said the suspect spent about 40 minutes inside Guthrie’s house in the Catalina Foothills neighborhood after the doorbell camera was disconnected around 1:45 a.m. February 1 and that Guthrie’s pacemaker disconnected from her cellphone about 2:30 a.m.
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos told local station KVOA that the investigation has “absolutely” gone as he wanted when asked, saying, “Look, I have no regrets about my team and their efforts. I don’t regret we let the crime scene go too soon or any of that, that’s just silly.”
What People Are Saying
Former FBI agent Jennifer Coffindaffer, on X Monday: “Nancy Guthrie You know what makes no sense? If the FBI and local LE want the public’s help, why the cloak and dagger approach? Tell the public that the 11th is important. Tell us to look for footage on that date. Give us times, if you know them, that are important. Also, please release the photo and video enhancements.
“I know they have been done by now. LE help the public help you unless, you already have a suspect. Then I get it. No need to release more information because you have Porch Guy pegged. But if you don’t, transparency with dates and times and imagery could help solve the case. That’s why you released the images in the first place. The public wants to help find Nancy. It is day 51. #NancyGuthrie #NancyGuthrieKidnapping”
FBI Phoenix, on X late last month: “The family of missing Tucson woman Nancy Guthrie is offering a private $1 million reward for credible information that directly leads to her return. If you have firsthand knowledge of Nancy’s whereabouts or any information about where she may be located, please contact the FBI tip line at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324).
“Due to high call volume, you may experience delays when submitting information. The FBI’s $100,000 reward also remains active. To help keep the tip line available for actionable investigative law enforcement leads, please submit only serious and detailed fact-based information – no well-wishes or case theories.
“The tip line is not for personal messages to the Guthrie family.”
