One hundred days after Nancy Guthrie vanished from her Tucson home, her neighborhood association is gently asking people to stop leaving flowers and other memorial items outside her house. They say it’s creating some real headaches with safety and upkeep as the weather warms up.
Will Pew, who leads the Catalina Foothills Association, shared the message in a newsletter sent out on May 11. He explained that neighbors have been hit hard by everything that’s happened, feeling on edge as crowds of well-meaning visitors from outside the area keep showing up on their quiet streets.
Some of the behavior from non-residents has crossed lines too, Pew noted, coming across as disrespectful to the people who actually live there. The flowers and tributes started with the best intentions, but animals scavenging, strong winds, and the rising heat have turned the spot into a bit of a mess that needs constant attention.
Instead of leaving items at the home, he’s encouraging folks to honor Nancy by donating to World Vision, the humanitarian group she has long supported.
Nancy has called this neighborhood home for more than 50 years. Her kids grew up here, just like so many of us and our own children, attending the local schools. Our families are deeply rooted in Tucson and the Catalina Foothills, and right now everyone who knows her is hurting while we wait for any word on where she might be.
Pew wrapped up by asking everyone to keep Nancy and her family in their thoughts while respecting their privacy. Our houses might be spread out, but as neighbors we’re feeling closer than ever during this tough time.
Local and federal investigators believe the 84-year-old was taken from her house in the middle of the night on February 1. Surveillance video captured a masked man at her front door, but no suspects have been named yet. Blood belonging to Nancy was found outside, along with some mixed DNA that’s still being analyzed.
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos recently told reporters that his team feels they’re getting closer to cracking the case, though he didn’t share specifics. Meanwhile, Savannah Guthrie has stayed open about the pain her family is enduring. On Mother’s Day she posted a heartfelt tribute, writing that they miss her mother with every breath and will never stop searching until she’s found.
A million-dollar reward now stands for information that helps bring Nancy home or leads to an arrest. Anyone with tips is urged to reach out to the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or the Pima County Sheriff’s Department at 520-351-4900.
