FBI Expert: Blood Pattern Suggests Missing Arizona Woman Was Carried Away

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An FBI blood pattern expert says evidence found outside the home of missing 84-year-old Arizona woman Nancy Guthrie suggests she was carried out of her Catalina Foothills property rather than leaving on her own. Retired FBI special agent Maureen O'Connell analyzed the blood spatter and said the lack of 'voids' in the pattern indicates Guthrie's body was not making contact with the ground, leading her to conclude Guthrie was 'wrapped up in something and they're carrying her out.' The comments have added a new dimension to the ongoing investigation into Guthrie's disappearance on January 31, which authorities have treated as a likely abduction.

Why it matters

O'Connell's analysis of the blood pattern offers one of the clearest attempts yet to explain the physical evidence found at the scene and raises questions about whether Guthrie was incapacitated before leaving her home. The case has struggled to produce significant leads, and O'Connell's remarks could put new pressure on investigators to clarify their interpretation of the evidence.

The details

According to the report, blood found outside Guthrie's home on the day she was reported missing led O'Connell to conclude the 84-year-old woman was carried out of the property rather than leaving on her own. O'Connell said the lack of 'voids' or gaps in the blood pattern that would indicate Guthrie's body making contact with the ground led her to believe Guthrie was 'wrapped up in something and they're carrying her out.' She also noted the uniform, uninterrupted shape of the blood droplets, saying that level of consistency would be unlikely if Guthrie had been upright or in motion.

• Nancy Guthrie was last seen at her home on January 31, 2026.
• Guthrie was reported missing the next morning when a friend grew concerned after she failed to join an online church service.
• O'Connell made her assessment on the blood pattern evidence on March 8, 2026 during an appearance on the 'Brian Entin Investigates' program.

What they’re saying

What’s next

Investigators have urged the public not to assume too much from partial evidence, emphasizing that many details remain under analysis. However, O'Connell's remarks could put new pressure on the Pima County Sheriff's Department to clarify their interpretation of the blood pattern evidence as the search for Nancy Guthrie continues.