Nancy Guthrie Update: Ex-FBI Agent Explains Why He Thinks Cops Have Gone Quiet
What To Know
- The investigation into the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie has now reached seven months.
- Retired FBI agent Scott Augenbaum emphasized that the case is still active and closely guarded.
- Authorities continue to analyze DNA and video evidence with support from the FBI.
The Nancy Guthrie investigation officially reached its seventh month mark on Tuesday (September 1), with law enforcement seemingly no closer to identifying a suspect or locating Nancy’s whereabouts.
Nancy, the 84-year-old mother of Today’s Savannah Guthrie, went missing on February 1, when police believe she was abducted from her Tucson, Arizona, home. Investigators have released doorbell camera footage of a masked suspect and sent DNA for testing at the FBI lab in Quantico, but no suspects have been named publicly.
Speaking to local Tucson news station KOLD, retired FBI agent Scott Augenbaum urged people not to give up hope. Augenbaum argued that just because things have gone quiet from the Pima County Sheriff’s Department (PCSD) and the FBI doesn’t mean the case has gone cold.
“This is by no means a cold case,” he told the outlet. “A cold case is something that has been closed; it’s been put away. So in my opinion, this case is not closed at all. It’s still being held very tightly guarded by law enforcement, which I would expect at this point in time.”
Touching on his own experience, Augenbaum explained, “There were cases where we didn’t really have any leads or anything like that and we just played that close. There was situations where we kind of had a really amazing idea. We knew who did it, but we had to build the case against that person.”
He said the Nancy case “could be anywhere between those two things and somewhere in the middle.”
The PCSD released a statement last month, saying the department “remains fully committed to the investigation into Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance.”
“This is an active and ongoing investigation, and we continue to work closely with our partners at the FBI,” the statement continued. “DNA and video analyses remain ongoing, supported by laboratories nationwide. Advances in technology are aiding investigative efforts, and tips continue to be received and reviewed.”
However, it has been months since Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos and the FBI have shared a press conference update. The PCSD has said it will not return to the podium until it has something significant to share with the public.
“When I was with the FBI, you know, we didn’t tell anyone until we had a bad guy in handcuffs,” Augenbaum noted. “We weren’t giving regular updates, and that drives a lot of people crazy.”
While not a DNA expert, Augenbaum also shared his experience working cases involving lab analysis. He said that DNA testing is a complicated and slow process, which is another reason for the long investigation.
Conversation9 Comments
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I am the same age Savannah Guthrie's mother. Although my disappearance would not appear on national television, I can empathize with the family. I am sure she has died by now and that's why we hear nothing from the perpetrators
Bill Berryman
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P
What are they still DNA testing? According to reports from last month, the hair (after 6 months of testing) produced nothing! The gloves provided no valuable lead either. All along these were the only 2 things they've claimed to have had for possible DNA.
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I have been astonished by the same cadre of undistinguished former FBI agents whom I have known who have leaped forward and associated themselves with this case although they were for the most part largely inept and incompetent as FBI “street agents” assigned to the sometime largest. ,sometimes second largest field office of the FBI, FBI Los Angeles. None of these people actually solved/prosecuted a major case to the best of my recollection but nevertheless always seem to arrive “Deus ex machina,” to give their “opinions” which are as successful as their previous case clearances, generally nil. No arrests, no cases, no problems!
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M
I think that my thoughts on day 1, have not changed. To me, put it together with timing. No one took money??? Odd, no! The answer is right in front of them.
I believe it’s her son in law. I won’t change my mind. It’s so clear. No kidnapper stays in a house over 25 min. He drove her home. Maybe his Felon best friend helped with fake notes. Think about it!
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N
I think they kicked Nanos out of the way...finally. It's best they don't make all their information public. We will gladly wait to hear any update they can release, especially that someone is caught.
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B
maybe she was not meant to be found. sometimes you cant look for the dead among the living maybe she is alive. if they are checking every tip im sure they will find her. im psychic and never thought this case was about money. they just needed a different direction. proof of life. maybe they have it already.
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M
Trump wanted to sent a clear message to Samantha: “Stop interviewing victims of Epstein and looking deeper.” He and his hired pardoned insurrectionists had no intention of keeping her alive.
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P
Ludicrous
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G
Melanie: your message is confusing. I really don’t see Mr Trump having anything to do with this case. Good grief!
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