Investigators revisit Nancy Guthrie's home six months after disappearance hoping for new clues

TUCSON, ARIZONA: The mystery surrounding Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance has taken an unexpected turn as investigators return to the rugged area around her Tucson home, with a retired sheriff’s lieutenant suggesting Arizona’s powerful monsoon rains may have changed the landscape and exposed evidence that was previously hidden.

Nancy, 84, disappeared from her home in the Catalina Foothills on February 1, leaving investigators with few answers despite months of searches and thousands of tips.

Federal agents were recently seen searching dense brush near her home, but authorities have not revealed what prompted the renewed search.

Bob Krygier explains how monsoon rains could change the search

Retired Pima County Sheriff's Department lieutenant Bob Krygier believes the recent monsoon season could have dramatically altered the desert landscape around Nancy Guthrie’s home.

Speaking to Fox News, Krygier said the heavy rains have moved rocks, debris and other material across the terrain. “About a month ago, monsoon season started here in Tucson and a lot of water has come down”, he said. “A lot of water at once, and it pushes things.”

Krygier explained that the movement caused by the water could potentially expose something that was previously hidden.

“So it's moved the environment. Rocks have been pushed away”, he said.

The former lieutenant described the impact of the flooding in striking terms, saying, “All that water... has basically turned it into a big blender.” He believes investigators could now be looking at the same areas differently, either because the landscape has changed or because new information has emerged.

“I’m certain that they've searched those areas already”, Krygier said, adding that investigators could now be looking for something very specific.

Nancy Guthrie ransom notes add to the mystery

The renewed search comes just days after investigators released two ransom notes sent to Nancy Guthrie’s family after her disappearance.

One note demanded $4 million in Bitcoin. The second claimed Nancy had died after being abducted and contained a chilling message about where she was allegedly buried.

“We did not fully grasp the seriousness of her physical condition”, the note stated before adding, “She perished shortly after she was taken... She is buried in nature now.”

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said investigators believe the notes could contain details or wording that might help someone identify the person behind them.

“There are a number of pieces of information in these notes that just might jar someone to say, ‘You know, I've heard that,’” Nanos said.

One of the notes also referred to details inside Nancy’s home, including a broken backyard floodlight and a white smartwatch found on her bedroom floor. Investigators believe that could suggest the writer had some knowledge of the property.

Investigators continue searching for answers

Authorities have continued reviewing tens of thousands of tips, surveillance videos and forensic leads since Nancy disappeared.

“We're still here. We are not going away”, Nanos said. “We've got a lot of work ahead of us”.

Investigators have also said two videos recovered from Nancy’s Ring doorbell camera may have been recorded on different days. Earlier surveillance footage showed a masked person apparently tampering with the security camera and blocking its view with a plant shortly before Nancy vanished.

Authorities described the person as a man around 5 ft 9 in tall. Questions also remain over evidence found at Nancy’s home.

Blood discovered on the front porch was later confirmed to belong to Nancy, although it was reportedly not immediately treated as evidence because investigators initially believed it could have come from a minor injury.

Family members also found the back door propped open while searching the property.

Despite the ransom notes and renewed activity around her home, investigators have not confirmed whether Nancy is alive or dead. Her family continues to search for answers and is offering a reward of up to $1 million for information leading to her recovery.