Cadaver Dogs on hold in the Nancy Guthrie Missing Case

The search for Nancy Guthrie enters 5th week and the cadaver dogs are on hold and not actively being used in the search, confirmed by the Pima County Sheriff.

Arizona authorities say cadaver dogs used earlier in the investigation of Nancy Guthrie, the missing 84-year-old mother of “Today” co-host Savannah Guthrie, are not currently being deployed as the search continues. “They are available if needed in the future,” said Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos.

There are a number of reasons not to be using cadaver dogs at this stage in the investigation, according to Betsy Brantner Smith, a retired police sergeant and spokeswoman for the National Police Association.

Why not use cadaver dogs?

One of the reason not using cadaver dogos is would be if there’s credible information that Nancy Guthrie is still alive. Brantner Smith, who is not involved in the case, said departments may hold back K-9 resources for several reasons. Those could be that authorities don’t have a good idea of where to search, they think she might be concealed in a place where dogs would have a hard time detecting her, or they believe she’s been taken to Mexico.

Blood splatter indicates a big clue

Blood Spatter Reveals Nancy Guthrie Was Likely 'Wrapped Up' and 'Carried Out' of Her Home — As Former FBI Agent Doubts Missing Woman 'Walked' Out https://t.co/iOfhctpOIv pic.twitter.com/BSYDYDHjZF

— Radar Online (@radar_online) March 10, 2026

The biggest lead so far has been Nest camera video showing a masked intruder on Guthrie’s doorstep the morning of her abduction. Also the blood splatter in front of the home could be a important clue.

Retired special agent Maureen O’Connell told NewsNation that the fact there is no break in the blood droplets or footprints may indicate that Guthrie was carried from her home instead of walking out. “I doubt that she walked out because there were no voids,” O’Connell said.

Nancy’s family reported her missing on February 1, one day after she was last spotted at her Tucson residence.

Officials have not revealed any major developments in Nancy’s case, and following difficulties with DNA analysis, investigators are reportedly shifting focus to digital forensics, including cell tower records and cloud-based video footage.

Forensic science professor April Stonehouse, who is not part of the Nancy investigation, said to The Express, that it can be “a risk” and that the process of finding potential DNA matches is “complicated.” She continued, “The research could take days, weeks and even months. There are even dead ends.”

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