Nancy Guthrie Update: Crime Scene Investigator Declares Case ‘So Botched’ From Day 1
What To Know
- Crime scene investigator Sheryl McCollum criticized the handling of Nancy Guthrie’s abduction case.
- The FBI acknowledged receiving several ransom notes, some of which were deemed illegitimate extortion attempts, while others are still under investigation.
- McCollum emphasized the family’s distress and lack of clear information.
A crime scene investigator recently explained why the Nancy Guthrie investigation is “so botched” as Today co-host Savannah Guthrie‘s 84-year-old mother remains missing more than five months after she was abducted in Tucson, Arizona.
On July 1, active crime scene investigator Sheryl McCollum, who is based in metro Atlanta, shared her insight into Nancy’s case during an appearance on NewsNation’s Jesse Weber Live.
“This investigation is so botched,” McCollum declared. “You have not seen Savannah and her family on the same podium as the FBI and the Pima County Sheriff. They should have been standing together, making statements, from day one. And we haven’t seen that yet.”
She added, “They’re not on the same page. It’s really sad to see this.”
McCollum’s commentary came after FBI Phoenix shared a statement on X acknowledging that it had received “several” ransom notes — some of which it “deemed to be extortion attempts without legitimacy,” while others “may potentially be legitimate and are still being investigated as such. The bureau added that it “continues to be investigated as a kidnapping for ransom case.”
The FBI’s statement came on the heels of a June 30 Reuters report in which an unnamed FBI official claimed that none of the ransom notes sent about Nancy were legitimate.
When asked about the effects on Savannah and her siblings, Annie Guthrie and Camron Guthrie, of the mixed reporting, McCollum didn’t hold back.
“Can you imagine?” she replied. “Nobody has told them the straight-up truth. Nobody has shown them, ‘Hey, this is the playbook we’re using. This is how we’re going after these people, or this single person.’ Which, I still believe it’s a single individual.”
McCollum continued, “[Savannah] is still left with, is it one person or three? Is she alive? Is she not alive? If she died, when did she die? Is she buried? Where is she buried? I mean, they know nothing. There’s no comfort. There’s no answers. And the reality for everybody: There is somebody out there that took an 84-year-old woman, while she was bleeding, from her home.”
Nancy was last seen at her Tucson home on January 31. As of writing, no suspect has been named in the case.
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G
Please find Nancy she deserves to be found so the family can rest.
God help find her
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S
I missed the McCollum interview; so, thanks for this article! I think this is the FIRST one I've read where someone has enough common sense to acknowledge some of the heartache her children are living with every minute of every day----not to mention the "what if's" Annie and her husband are experiencing.
This was a cluster from the beginning. I don't know if it was arrogance, ignorance, or sabotage from local law enforcement.
Help was offered (use FBI Lab--evidence sent to FL. An organization from Louisiana--actually went to AZ, had the means and training to help, but wasn't even acknowledged---God knows how many other offers we don't know about).
Here we are, 5 months out and, I can't help but think that----no one is that "proud" or that "stupid"... after all, he lied about his pass employment-related disciplinary actions (if it was intentional or unintentional is irrelevant---in the private sector he would have been fired! Depending of the job, he could have faced criminal charges---yet here we are---he's still getting a paycheck-NOT earning--GETTING).
We're praying for Nancy, her children, friends, and yes...wisdom for everyone looking for her and investigating this horrific crime.
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J
Yeah the sheriff, I think, is just plain up ignorant. He gave the investigation to a detective who never lead an investigation before, so this would be his first. Instead of allowing the initial person, who would have had the case and was specialized, to lead the investigaton. The sheriff either fired or transferred the guy to a diff department. Just plain ridiculous. I cant believe how badly this all went esp as someone who is supposed to understand the law and how to do investigations. Who makes the house a crime scene for one day, then give it back to the family? I believe they did this a total of 3 times and the FBI,either the second or third time, let the sheriff department know they fked up so they made the house a crime scene again; locking it up. (But if the family went in the house before and the it was shut down a second time and third time, it would have been considered containmenated anyway). It amazes me that a delivery person was able to get past law enforcement and get on her porch smh. Just a mess. If i was the family, I would have tried to be on their asses cuz this case is deplorable from beginning to 5 months later.
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L
I wish they would find her so the family can have closure to this horrible kidnapping.
Love and prayers 🙏 ❤️ ❤️ 💕 💕 ♥️ 💗 to the Guthrie family.
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R
I think anyone can write these notes just by what the news says I could put the same there was blood I know who did it just a bunch of lies by watching the news!!! !!!!!! Wake up
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H
A cold case of a celebrity's mom, bumbling law enforcement, a media clown circus full of egos, sensationalism, and retired experts none of which have added anything to this case not to mention the TV tabloid show who claims to have all the answers. I've seen and heard all this before about a little 5 year old girl named JonBenet Ramsey who's case so called "Gripped the Nation" she would be 35 years old today and sadly her family has the same amount of answers as the Guthrie"s
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