Daijiworld Media Network - Tucson

Tucson, Mar 23: The investigation into the Nancy Guthrie case remains active and far from a cold case, Chris Nanos has said, citing ongoing forensic work and new leads.

In an interview on a local radio show, Nanos said investigators are working with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and forensic labs across the country, analysing thousands of hours of video footage and reviewing available evidence.

“We have some DNA that we think is still workable,” he said, adding that the case is “unlike anything we’ve seen in years in Tucson”.

The sheriff stressed that the investigation is evidence-driven and that no definitive conclusions have been reached so far. “Right now, everything is speculative. We don’t have anything in front of us that clearly identifies who did this and why,” he said.

He noted that while significant resources were initially deployed, including hundreds of deputies, the probe is now being handled by a core team of around 20 investigators, with the ability to scale up if needed.

Nanos expressed confidence that a breakthrough could come at any time, suggesting that someone with crucial information may eventually come forward.

Addressing public criticism, Nanos said he preferred that scrutiny be directed at him rather than his team. He also clarified that his brief absence during the investigation, including attending a basketball game, was due to personal circumstances following the death of his brother.

He added that despite the scale of the investigation, it has not impacted the department’s ability to respond to other public safety concerns in Pima County.