Nancy Guthrie's abductor may have returned to the crime scene, left critical clues at tribute: expert
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A memorial outside Nancy Guthrie’s home in the Tucson area has been steadily growing, attracting numerous visitors. This development has sparked discussions about whether investigators are keeping an eye on the site.

Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of “Today” show co-host Savannah Guthrie, was reportedly taken from her residence during the early hours of February 1.

“It’s possible they are monitoring the memorial, but it’s not obvious,” Betsy Brantner Smith, a spokesperson for the National Police Association and a retired police sergeant, shared with Fox News Digital. “They might be observing the area, yet there are no visible cameras.”

Nancy Guthrie/Savannah Guthrie

The scene outside her home is adorned with yellow flowers, personal notes, artwork, and even an open letter addressed to the alleged “kidnapper.”

Despite the memorial’s expansion, the visible presence of law enforcement at the site has noticeably decreased.

While the memorial grows, however, visible law enforcement presence has significantly dropped.

“Detectives are reviewing all viable leads in this case,” a spokesperson for the Pima County Sheriff’s Department told Fox News Digital. “We do not speak to specifics, as this is still an ongoing investigation.”

Authorities have not publicly identified a suspect, vehicle or any persons of interest.

Haunting Nest doorbell camera video shows a masked man on Nancy Guthrie’s front steps around the time of her abduction. He is described as being of average height and build and was wearing a black Ozark Trail backpack.

“In this type of situation where you have the potential for a suspect having done this because he or she is somehow obsessed with Savannah Guthrie or seeing Nancy featured on the ‘Today’ show multiple times… someone who is obsessed with notoriety, celebrity — there’s a lot of pathology involved in that,” Brantner Smith said.

Law enforcement walking outside Nancy Guthrie's home split with Savannah and Nancy Guthrie

A member of the Pima County Sheriff’s office was seen outside of Nancy Guthrie’s home, Monday, Feb. 9, 2026 in Tucson, Ariz. (Ty O’Neil/AP Photo; Nathan Congleton/NBC via Getty Images)

“Potentially, that is the type of person that could come back to the memorial, look at the memorial, even take photos of the memorial and add to the memorial themselves.”

As to why there’s been an alleged lack of law enforcement presence monitoring the site, Brantner Smith pointed to one likely scenario.

“It may be because they have solid suspects, and they just haven’t released that information to the public,” she said. 

It’s not uncommon for an offender to return to the crime scene, she added.

Nancy Guthrie's home with a growing vigil of flowers and candles in the morning light.

A growing vigil in the morning light under cloudy skies is seen at Nancy Guthrie’s home on February 13, 2026, in Tucson, Arizona. (Ty O’Neil/AP Photo)

“Sometimes the offender will come back to the scene of the crime. So, in that vein, they would come to the memorial, and they may have left their own note, their own flowers,” she said.

Often, it’s a mark of their arrogance, she told Fox News Digital.

“I am guessing that the suspect or suspects who did this are frankly taking great pride in the fact that so far they’ve got away with it,” she added. “Coming back can also be a way to bring back that rush that they had when they originally committed the crime.”

Such behavior happens frequently in arson cases, she said. 

Deputies outside Nancy Guthrie's home

Deputies examine a flyer taped to Nancy Guthrie’s mailbox on Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026. They were called to the scene after volunteer searchers and several streamers walked onto Guthrie’s property with a shovel. (Michael Ruiz/Fox News Digital)

“But it’s also not untypical in a homicide case or, in this case, a missing person,” she continued. “We’ve got to look at the psychology of people who do this kind of stuff. They also may want to come back to see what kind of people are leaving notes and leaving flowers.”

For that reason, she said, investigators should be reading the notes to develop potential leads.

“They’re coming back to see the impact that they had on this neighborhood and on this family,” she said. “And the rest of us would view that as very sick, but law enforcement has to view that as a way to collect clues.”

Savannah, her sister Annie, and brother-in-law, Tommaso Cioni, placed flowers at the growing tribute near the foot of Nancy’s driveway on Monday in a somber visit to the crime scene.

The Guthrie family lays flowers at Nancy Guthrie's home

Annie Guthrie, her husband Tommaso Cioni, and Savannah Guthrie at their missing mother Nancy Guthrie’s home on Monday, March 2, in Tucson, Arizona. (Fox News)

A combined reward for information that leads to Nancy’s recovery from the FBI, local authorities and the Guthrie family stands at over $1 million. It has not yet been claimed.

Savannah is asking anyone with information to dial 1-800-CALL-FBI.

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