“There was absolutely no justification for releasing that crime scene,” said Joseph Giacalone, retired NYPD sergeant, adjunct professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice and author of a criminal investigation textbook in its fourth edition.
“That entire house, including the property, should have been cordoned off. No one other than law enforcement should have entered the premises for investigative purposes.”
Even if future arrests occur, any perceived shortcomings in crime‑scene management will be subject to intense scrutiny by the defence.
Mishandling a crime scene dramatically diminishes the likelihood of solving a case, he added.
Sheriff Nanos has alternately denied and admitted errors. During a 5 February press conference, he acknowledged that he would have extended the scene’s preservation if given another chance.
“I probably could have held off on that,” he said, adding, “We obtained what we believed to be a complete picture.”
However, Nanos has faced sustained scrutiny not only regarding this case but also past conduct — documents obtained by the Arizona Republic revealed written reprimands he received while serving in El Paso.
When approached by the outlet, Nanos responded on 9 March: “Is that your ‘urgent’ request? Are you sure you don’t want to return to my high school and ask why I got swats from the principal? Good luck with your hit piece.”
The following month, the Pima County Board of Supervisors demanded explanations from the sheriff, who submitted written responses through counsel, according to Arizona media. Although the board ultimately voted against removing him, supervisor Rex Scott emphasized the need for the sheriff to restore public trust.
As investigators continued their work, the global attention on the case—and the heightened visibility of Guthrie’s daughter—likely complicated efforts, experts noted.
‘The publicity probably compelled the kidnapper to go deeper underground, realizing a massive manhunt was underway,’ said private investigator Ribacoff, who speculated that Guthrie may have died early, prompting suspects to dispose of her body.
Other hypotheses differ. Smith, however, questions the authenticity of the ransom notes and posits that Guthrie was taken to Mexico, where she could remain hidden more easily.
Nanos initially told the BBC that he was confident Guthrie would eventually be found — whether in ’10 days, 10 months, or worse.’ By February, over 40,000 tips had poured in, and the sheriff has consistently reaffirmed his commitment to solving the crime.
The world continues to focus on the case, and sympathies remain with Guthrie’s family, who continue to offer a $1 million reward for information.
After details of the two notes were released this week, Savannah Guthrie renewed her appeals during an emotional segment on her NBC morning show.
‘I would like to take this opportunity to ask — indeed, to beg — people to come forward. Someone knows something,’ she said tearfully.
