The father of JonBenét Ramsey, a child found dead in the basement of her family’s Colorado home in 1996, has suggested that Nancy Guthrie’s family scrutinize the police handling her case as the search for the elderly woman passed the 100-day mark.
Speaking to NewsNation’s Brian Entin, John Ramsey—whose daughter’s killer has never been found—said it was important not to “assume” the police “know what they’re doing,” and that the family should “really scrutinize” investigators’ actions.
“Don’t assume the police are doing everything they could do, they may be, but don’t assume that,” he said. “Don’t assume they know what they’re doing, they may, but don’t assume that. And really scrutinize what they’re doing, ask questions.”
Ramsey’s comments add pressure to an already high-profile investigation and come as Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos and his team have faced continued scrutiny over their handling of the case.
Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of Today host Savannah Guthrie, was reported missing in Pima County, Arizona, on February 1, after last being seen at her Tucson home on January 31. Law enforcement declared the home a “crime scene” and said they did not believe she left the home on her own.
Ramsey said police should have sought more help early in the investigation.
“It appears there was a level of territorialism involved,” he said.
“You’ve got to be an advocate in your system,” he added, speaking more broadly about cases. “Police departments at best are multi-purpose agencies. They handle everything from traffic tickets to speeding tickets to serial murders. You can’t do everything well. It’s imperative they bring in all the resources they can bring in to help.”
Pressure has been mounting on Nanos as the search for Guthrie continues. The Pima County Board of Supervisors recently declined to remove him from his post following questions regarding his conduct. Instead, the board voted to refer perjury allegations—stemming from prior testimony delivered in Texas—to the Arizona attorney general for further review.
Meanwhile, in March, the Pima County Deputies Organization, which represents about 300 deputies, called for Nanos to resign after a unanimous vote of no confidence.
Nanos addressed the calls for him to step down in an interview with News 4 Tucson in April.
“For 50 years, every sheriff here has had that. I can’t listen to that. That’s white noise,” he said.
He also defended his department’s handling of Guthrie’s case, saying: “You cannot attack my department—attack the sheriff, but you will not get by with attacking my department.”
The JonBenét Ramsey Case
The Ramsey case remains one of the most high-profile unsolved homicides in the United States.
Ramsey, a 6-year-old child, was found bludgeoned and strangled to death in the basement of her family’s Colorado home in 1996, and the case has gripped public attention ever since. Nearly three decades on, no one has been charged in the killing.
In December 2025, the Boulder Police Department announced that “new evidence” had been collected, and pieces of previously gathered material have been retested using newer DNA technology.
Police Chief Stephen Redfearn said in an update video earlier this month that “this case remains a top priority for the department.”
Ramsey told Entin that in his last meeting with police, they told him they were “more optimistic now than” they had ever been about solving the case.
Nancy Guthrie Timeline
February 1: Guthrie is reported missing in Pima County. Investigators find blood on her porch that belonged to her and discover that her doorbell camera had been disconnected.
February 12: The FBI release details about a potential suspect in the case and identifying details. The bureau doubles the reward to $100,000 for information leading to Guthrie’s location.
March 18: Nanos faces calls to be recalled over his handling of the investigation into Guthrie’s disappearance. Critics question his decision to release the crime scene within days, only for investigators to return later to collect additional evidence after reporters and others had been able to approach the home.
April 6: Savannah Guthrie returns to NBC’s Today show for the first time in more than two months. She wears a yellow outfit for her return in an apparent nod to the ribbons and flowers that had been left outside her mother’s home as a symbol of hope after she disappeared.
May 8: Nanos tells KOLD that authorities are “closer” to solving the case, though no arrests or publicly identified suspects have been announced.
May 18: Nanos told People magazine that his department is no longer communicating directly with Guthrie’s family and that the FBI has assumed all liaison responsibilities.
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