Criminal Defense Attorney Calls Repeated Arrests Without Detentions In Guthrie Case ‘Strange’
Criminal defense attorney Donna Rotunno is raising serious questions about the handling of the investigation into the disappearance of 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie, calling recent developments “strange” after multiple individuals were detained — only to be released without charges.
“We saw this flurry of activity last night, and then several hours later, we find out that they brought people in and let them go,” Rotunno said.
“That’s strange actually,” she added.
Rotunno, who is set to launch her new Fox News Podcasts program, “Crime & Justice with Donna Rotunno,” on Feb. 18, pointed to what she described as inconsistent coordination between federal and local authorities. She referred to “this very strange, this back-and-forth law enforcement volleying that the FBI is doing with local law enforcement.”
Her remarks underscore growing public scrutiny over why, two weeks into the investigation, there have been no arrests despite high-profile activity on the ground.
“If someone is detained, they’re held for a period of time, they’re let go. You’re arrested, normally it’s longer. Arrest has to do with probable cause and a detainment has to do with reasonable suspicion,” she said.
No Arrests — Despite Detentions
Chris Nanos, the Pima County Sheriff, confirmed to Fox News’ Matt Finn that no arrests have been made and no one remains in custody following a law enforcement operation in Tucson connected to the case.
Sources told Fox News Digital that at least three individuals were detained during the execution of a search warrant at a Tucson residence roughly two miles from Guthrie’s home. Images from the scene showed one man handcuffed in the parking lot of a nearby Culver’s restaurant. Still, authorities have not filed charges or publicly identified any suspects.
The lack of arrests has left many in the Tucson community — and observers nationwide — asking whether law enforcement possesses actionable evidence or is still piecing together a complex puzzle.
A Vanishing With Few Answers
Nancy Guthrie, the mother of Savannah Guthrie, disappeared from her Tucson residence on February 1. Since then, investigators have yet to name any suspects or persons of interest.
The FBI has released a description of a man seen tampering with the doorbell camera outside Guthrie’s home during the early morning hours of her disappearance. According to federal authorities, the suspect is described as approximately 5’9” to 5’10” tall, with an average build, and was carrying a 25-liter “Ozark Trail Hiker Pack” backpack.
In an effort to generate leads, the FBI has increased the reward to $100,000 for information leading to Nancy’s location or the arrest and conviction of those responsible.
DNA Evidence Raises New Questions
Sheriff Nanos revealed that investigators recovered DNA from the scene — but it did not belong to Guthrie.
“What I believe is what I know is we found DNA,” Nanos told Fox News correspondent Jonathan Hunt during a sit-down interview.
When asked whether the genetic material matched the missing woman, Nanos was direct: “That was not Nancy Guthrie’s DNA.”
Authorities are now working with a contracted forensic laboratory in Florida to analyze the biological evidence. Nanos explained that investigators are gathering elimination samples from individuals connected to the home in order to rule out known contributors and narrow down potential matches.
The sheriff also addressed criticism over how evidence has been handled, insisting that his department is operating within established protocols and in coordination with federal partners.
He clarified that a glove previously referenced as possible evidence was not recovered at Guthrie’s residence. Instead, it was located roughly two miles away during expanded search efforts.
A Rescue Mission — For Now
Despite mounting frustration over the lack of arrests, Nanos emphasized that authorities continue to approach the case as a recovery operation with hope.
“They all have hope and belief that this is a rescue mission,” he said.
Search operations have included ground teams, aerial surveillance, and coordination with federal agencies. Investigators are reconstructing Guthrie’s last known movements and reviewing nearby residential security footage, while forensic testing continues.
Family members have made public appeals for information, but so far, no breakthrough has been announced.
As questions linger about inter-agency coordination and the absence of formal charges, the case underscores a broader concern shared by many Americans: transparency and accountability in high-profile investigations are essential to maintaining public trust. With a substantial reward now on the table and national attention intensifying, pressure is mounting on law enforcement to deliver answers.