Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos announced the Guthrie family has been cleared as suspects and called for compassionate media coverage while the investigation and forensic analysis continue
Pima County officials say they have cleared the family of missing woman Nancy Guthrie of suspicion. Sheriff Chris Nanos posted on X on Feb. 16 that Guthrie’s siblings and their spouses are not suspects and are being treated as cooperative victims. He also pleaded with the public and reporters to stop spreading rumors, calling unfounded accusations “not only wrong, it is cruel.”
What investigators have confirmed so far
– Family status: Siblings and their spouses have been cleared and are cooperating with investigators.
– Latest public update: Sheriff Nanos issued the Feb. 16 message on X and asked for restraint around unverified claims.
– Case status: The investigation is active. Multiple local and federal agencies remain on scene conducting forensic testing, following leads and re-interviewing witnesses.
Forensics, evidence handling and lab work
Officials say every item recovered from the home is being cataloged and tested carefully. New material — including gloves — has been logged into evidence. The FBI requested that certain items, notably a black glove and DNA samples, be analyzed at its laboratory in Quantico, Virginia. At the same time, the sheriff’s office plans to send a set of samples to DNA Labs International in Florida to maintain continuity in testing. Authorities say that decision is meant to reduce the risk of conflicting results, not to shut out federal participation.
Preserving an unbroken chain of custody is a priority. Different laboratories use different extraction techniques and reporting formats, and mixing results from multiple sources can complicate comparisons. That’s why the sheriff has pushed for a single-source approach for some evidence, while federal, local and private labs coordinate where appropriate.
Turnaround times will vary. Backlogs in forensic labs and the physical condition of recovered material can slow analysis. Degraded or contaminated samples, or those requiring extra processing, take longer to yield definitive results. Still, investigators note that modern imaging and analytical methods can produce useful leads even after weeks of review.
Digital evidence and enhanced imagery
Teams are re-examining exterior cameras, pulling additional recordings and extracting metadata. The FBI has supplied enhanced stills from surveillance footage, and officials are asking the public to examine those images and report tips. The reward for information has been increased to $100,000.
Sheriff Nanos likened the work to “scraping layers of paint,” explaining that technicians must move methodically so they don’t destroy recoverable details. More analysis is needed before further findings are released.
Public scrutiny, leadership choices and community response
Nanos has faced intense scrutiny over the investigation and has acknowledged some missteps. One contentious decision was returning the house to the family sooner than some expected; that allowed journalists to photograph blood droplets near an exterior door and drew renewed criticism. He also drew backlash for attending a University of Arizona basketball game while the search continued. Nanos says he has adjusted some operational decisions to preserve investigators’ stamina and keep the inquiry moving.
The sheriff’s office reports a heavy volume of public tips. Detectives are triaging that information while federal and local partners coordinate evidence reviews, surveillance analysis and witness interviews. Officials emphasize prioritization—balancing thoroughness with timeliness and avoiding duplicated work through cross-jurisdictional tasking.
Above all, investigators are asking for patience and accurate information rather than speculation, so the focus can remain on piecing together what happened and finding answers for Nancy Guthrie’s family.