Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos warned in a March 2026 interview that the person responsible for Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance could target someone else—but he stressed investigators were not certain the crime was targeted. The warning was precautionary, not evidence of a known suspect, motive or next target. A later update, reported September 29, said investigators deemed a newly reported possible ransom text not credible; the case remained active.
What did the sheriff mean by “could strike again”?
In an NBC interview aired March 13, 2026, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said investigators believed the crime was targeted, but added they were “not 100% sure of that.” He cautioned against telling the public they were not potential targets: “No, you could be.” His comments were a warning against assuming there was no risk, not a prediction that another offense would occur. E! News reported the interview; Fox News also reported his remarks.
Nanos did not publicly disclose what he suspected the motive was. No cited reporting establishes the identity of the person responsible or a specific next target. The sheriff’s phrase “Criminal minds are criminal minds” likewise does not establish that another crime is planned.
What is the latest reported case update?
On September 29, 2026, KOLD reported that the sheriff’s department had reviewed a newly reported possible ransom text and deemed it not credible. The department said, “The Nancy Guthrie investigation remains active and ongoing.” The update did not identify the sender or establish that the text came from the person responsible. KOLD’s report said authorities asked people to report relevant messages and not send money or personal information in response to unsolicited communications.
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How the investigation has developed
- March 13, 2026: Fox News reported that investigators recovered additional images from three home cameras showing days and weeks before the disappearance, but no new footage from the night itself. The masked person seen in previously released footage had not been identified in that report. Read the report on the camera images.
- July 31–August 3, 2026: Six-month coverage described continuing forensic and DNA work, review of video and photographs, and the handling of tips. Those reports describe the investigation at that time; they do not establish the present status of every lead. Arizona’s Family reported on the six-month status.
- September 28–29, 2026: The department’s latest located update in the reporting cited here concerned the possible ransom text, which investigators said was not credible, and confirmed the case remained active. KOLD reported the update.
What is known about the ransom communications?
Authorities released two notes received in February, as reported in late July and early August. The first demanded bitcoin and threatened harm; the second expressed remorse and claimed Nancy Guthrie had died. The FBI had not publicly said which notes it considered legitimate. Other messages were characterized as extortion attempts, including a fake note that led to a guilty plea. These communications should not be treated as one verified stream from the person responsible. Arizona’s Family covered the released notes.
The possible text discussed in September was a separate, later report, and investigators deemed it not credible. That finding does not authenticate or resolve the status of the two earlier notes.
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What authorities have said about the family
Sheriff Nanos publicly cleared the Guthrie family as possible suspects in February and reiterated in later coverage that the family were victims. There is no basis in the cited reporting to present online accusations against them as fact. Arizona’s Family reported his comments.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What details about the unidentified person are established?
Fox News described the person in recovered footage as approximately 5 feet 9 inches to 5 feet 10 inches tall, with a medium build. That is a reported description, not a confirmed identification. Later case coverage described a black 25-liter Ozark Trail Hiker Pack as an investigative detail; it does not identify who carried it. Neither description establishes the person’s identity. Fox News reported the height and build description; Arizona’s Family covered the backpack description.
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What should someone do if they receive a related message?
- Report relevant communications to law enforcement, as the sheriff’s department advised.
- Do not send money or personal information in response to an unsolicited message.
- Do not assume a message is genuine simply because it mentions the case; investigators have described some communications as not credible or as extortion attempts.
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