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Former Detective Suggests Nancy Guthrie Case Now a Homicide Investigation
A former detective with extensive experience in law enforcement has publicly shared his belief that the disappearance of 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie should no longer be treated as a missing person case, but rather as a “no-body homicide.”
Morgan Wright, CEO and founder of the National Center for Open and Unsolved Cases, discussed his perspective on Thursday during an appearance on “Brian Entin Investigates.” Wright, who served 18 years as a state trooper and detective, spoke with Brian Entin about the ongoing investigation, which has now reached its 47th day.
During their conversation, the theory of a burglary gone wrong was raised. Wright then “said the quiet parts out loud,” a phrase he used to describe a point he had previously discussed with Entin and Elizabeth Vargas. This comes after recent developments, including reports of an individual fleeing the neighborhood within days of Guthrie’s disappearance.
“I said…at some point you have to realize it’s not a missing person anymore,” Wright elaborated. “We have to realize Nancy is 84 years old, with cardiac compromise.
You are violently confronted at 2 o’clock in the morning in your own home. We know it’s violent because there was blood.”
He emphasized that the presence of Nancy’s blood found on her porch, combined with the fact she was forcibly removed from her residence, indicates a “violent confrontation.”
“I’m more of a pragmatist,” Wright continued. “It’s like you have to be left-brain, right-brain when you investigate stuff.
You have to compartmentalize. I said you need to treat this like a no-body homicide because it tells the public something different about what you’re looking at and where you’re looking for things.”
The cybersecurity expert explained that approaching the case as a missing person investigation in areas like Catalina Foothills or the Sonoran Desert might lead investigators to overlook “anything out of place.” However, if treated as a no-body homicide, the search would shift to potential grave sites.
“When we have a no-body homicide, we’re looking for clandestine grave sites, open grave sites, concealed grave sites, things that when you’re out walking in the foothills, you need to be looking for these kinds of things,” he added.
According to the FBI’s Law Enforcement Bulletin, a no-body homicide requires prosecutors to prove a suspect killed a person without the presence of a body, as well as demonstrating the victim is no longer alive. The bulletin notes that such cases “often begins as a missing person case.”
Authorities have not yet publicly identified any suspects or persons of interest in Nancy Guthrie’s case.
Guthrie was reported missing by her family on February 1 after she failed to attend Sunday church service. She was last seen on January 31, when she was dropped off at her residence after having dinner at her daughter Annie’s home. The case has drawn comparisons to other high-profile disappearances, including that of an Air Force general, due to several chilling similarities.