What Have Volunteers Found In Nancy Guthrie Case? All About New Unofficial Search Near Her Home

Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance has dominated headlines since the beginning of February 2026. But despite more than three weeks of investigation, no breakthrough has been found in the case, leaving people cautious and worried about the 84-year-old. However, it seems like people are not willing to give up on the case. Recent news reports have revealed that some volunteers, frustrated by the lack of evidence in the case, have begun taking things into their own hands. Subsequently, they are working in parallel with the ongoing law enforcement investigation and forensic work. Amid the new developments, let us find out what these volunteers are doing and whether they have found anything concrete.

What are Volunteers doing in Nancy Guthrie’s case, and have they found anything? 

For the past few days, local volunteers have temporarily settled around Nancy Guthrie’s residence to simultaneously conduct investigations related to her disappearance. They have stepped into the desert areas of Nancy’s neighborhood to find more clues related to her abduction. Additionally, they were seen using sticks to probe bushes and roadside areas. Subsequently, the volunteers found a damaged black backpack roughly two miles from her home. According to the New York Post, the bag, a Swiss Gear backpack, was found inside a storm drain near West Orange Grove Road, close to State Route 77. 

Notably, the location is often used as a shelter by homeless individuals. Volunteer, Catherine Lopez discovered it around 11:00 am and she immediately shared the details with the Pima County Sheriff’s Office. They sent a deputy within minutes, and photos from the scene showed Catherine using a long stick to move the bag before authorities arrived. Incidentally, two homeless people were reportedly present in the storm drain area. However, it was later clarified that the bag did not match the one seen in her doorbell footage from the night before. Therefore, it is unclear whether these items are related to the case.

What has the Sheriff said about DNA testing delays? 

According to the Pima County Sheriff, Chris Nanos, they are still facing challenges with DNA samples collected from Nancy’s home. NBC News has revealed that the DNA sample found does not match that of the 84-year-old, her family members, or known workers who had access to the home. However, the samples are mixed with Nancy’s DNA and are incomplete. Consequently, the analysis has become more complicated. The Sheriff revealed the DNA samples are being processed at a private laboratory in Florida. But resolving complex mixed DNA could take weeks, months, or possibly up to a year. In his words:

“Our lab tells us that there are challenges with it. But the technology is moving so fast… some of this stuff will resolve itself in just a matter of weeks, months or maybe a year.”

It is still unclear why a private Florida lab is being used instead of the FBI or Arizona state forensic facilities. Chris Nanos told the BBC that he believes Nancy may still be abducted and kept locally, though he admitted he has no direct evidence to prove that belief. But despite the criticism and scrutiny, Chris has maintained that the investigation is growing in scope, but it has not been enough to clear the uncertainty around the case.

What do you think about the development by volunteers in Nancy Guthrie missing case? 

Next Read: Nancy Guthrie Missing Case Latest Discovery, Arizona Couple Discovers Gloves, A Rock Near Her House