Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos opened up about the exact moment he realized that the Nancy Guthrie case was likely criminal in nature.
Nanos spoke to PEOPLE on Wednesday, May 13, and recalled being alerted to a missing persons case around 2 p.m. on February 1 via text message.
A few minutes after that, the sheriff received another message, notifying him that the scene of disappearance “doesn’t look right, something is wrong. We’re calling homicide.”
“The reason that homicide was called is because they are the investigative unit in charge of missing person,” Nanos explained. “Search and rescue is their operational team that helps assist with these issues.”
Nancy Guthrie Update: Sheriff Chris Nanos Says They’re Getting Closer to Solving Case
NBC/GettyDespite the search for Nancy Guthrie stretching beyond 100 days, Sheriff Chris Nanos maintained that investigators are getting closer to solving the case.
“Everyday our DNA labs are working with our investigators, and they’re coming up with different ideas and different thoughts of how to help them make this DNA work for us,” Nanos told PEOPLE. “How can we do more with what we have? And so that’s why I say it is — I think we’re getting closer.”
On Tuesday, May 12, Nanos told 13 News that the Pima County Sheriff’s Department and the FBI, along with other labs, are “working hard” to get the Nancy Guthrie case resolved.
In the interview, the sheriff also stressed that the FBI has been involved in the case since day one, contrary to reports claiming the bureau was kept out from the investigation in its early stages.
“Day one, the FBI was involved in this case,” Nanos added. “And they continue to be involved in this case. Every single day.”
Sheriff Chris Nanos Not Giving Up on Nancy Guthrie Case
Sheriff Chris Nanos also revealed that they are getting assistance from Arizona DPS and other labs across the country.
He noted that the labs are in the process of separating mixed DNA found in Nancy Guthrie’s home, which he believes will be the key to identifying the suspect.
“I believe, at some point in time, we will make an arrest on this case,” Nanos added. “And whoever that individual is, that individual will have a right to a fair and impartial trial.”
Nanos reiterated that at this point, the Nancy Guthrie case is far from being cold. The sheriff pointed out that investigators are still working through evidence and that there’s still a lot of work to be done.
“There’s way too much work to be done, that is ongoing, with some of the physical evidence we have,” Nanos added. “And we’re not going to give up on it just because it’s been 100 days.”
