Investigation into Nancy Guthrie's Disappearance Faces Criticism for Initial Oversights

During the investigation into the disappearance of 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie, Pima County deputies allegedly failed to secure her home after discovering blood on her porch, believing it to be unrelated to her case. This oversight allowed numerous individuals, including reporters and delivery drivers, to access the scene before it was properly sealed two days later.

Sgt. David Stivers, the head of homicide for Pima County, arrived at the scene on February 1, hours after Guthrie was reported missing. Despite noticing the blood, sources indicate he did not consider it significant, assuming it resulted from an accidental injury. Subsequent DNA analysis confirmed the blood belonged to Guthrie, suggesting a connection to her kidnapping.

The investigation faced additional challenges, including a delay in deploying a search-and-rescue plane due to a lack of trained personnel. Stivers had previously been reprimanded for poor judgment in a past homicide case, which raised concerns about his handling of evidence.

New details have emerged regarding ransom notes sent to Guthrie's family, including one addressed to her daughter, Savannah Guthrie, stating, "We have your mother Nancy. She is safe but scared," and demanding a bitcoin ransom. A second note later claimed that Nancy had died accidentally, stating, "We never intended to hurt her." Authorities have not received any further communication since this second note.