Police Chief Compares Kohberger and Guthrie Investigations

Moscow Police Chief James Fry sees similarities between the Bryan Kohberger case and the ongoing search for Nancy Guthrie.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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Moscow Police Chief James Fry spoke to the New York Times about the similarities he sees between the Bryan Kohberger murder investigation in Idaho and the ongoing search for Nancy Guthrie in Arizona. Fry said both cases rely heavily on DNA evidence and security camera footage, which ultimately led to Kohberger's arrest and conviction. Fry also admitted he should have addressed the public sooner after the Idaho murders. The police chief said the national attention and public scrutiny on both cases have been challenging, but he's hopeful the Guthrie investigation will have a similar outcome to the Kohberger case.

Why it matters

The Kohberger and Guthrie cases highlight the immense pressure and public scrutiny police face during high-profile investigations. Fry's comments provide insight into the difficulties of managing these types of cases, from addressing the public to dealing with the emotional toll. His comparison of the two cases also suggests investigators are using similar forensic techniques, which could lead to a breakthrough in the Guthrie disappearance.

The details

Fry told the New York Times that he sees parallels between the Kohberger case and the ongoing search for Nancy Guthrie in Arizona. Both cases rely heavily on DNA evidence and security camera footage, which Fry said were key to identifying and convicting Kohberger. However, Fry admitted he should not have waited three days to address the public after the murders of four University of Idaho students in 2022. He said he "had never had anxiety before all this" as his team dealt with intense media scrutiny and public pressure. Fry also noted that the Kohberger case was uniquely challenging because the murders were a mass stabbing, which is uncommon for a stranger to commit.

  • In November 2022, four University of Idaho students were stabbed to death inside their off-campus home.
  • Kohberger was arrested seven weeks after the murders.
  • Kohberger accepted a plea deal 32 months after the murders.

The players

James Fry

The Moscow Police Chief who led the investigation into the murders of four University of Idaho students in 2022, which ultimately led to the arrest and conviction of Bryan Kohberger.

Bryan Kohberger

The man convicted of murdering four University of Idaho students in 2022.

Nancy Guthrie

The mother of Today co-host Savannah Guthrie, who has been missing since 2023.

Chris Nanos

The Pima County Sheriff in Arizona who is leading the investigation into the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie.

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What they’re saying

“I had never had anxiety before all this.”

— James Fry, Moscow Police Chief (New York Times)

“I have said many times that it was a failure on my part. I should have came out within six to eight hours of us knowing what we had and at least given the community and individuals information on what we were dealing with.”

— James Fry, Moscow Police Chief (New York Times)

What’s next

The Pima County Sheriff's Office continues to search for any leads in the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, hoping to find a breakthrough similar to the one that led to the arrest of Bryan Kohberger.

The takeaway

The Kohberger and Guthrie cases demonstrate the immense challenges police face in high-profile investigations, from managing public scrutiny to relying on forensic evidence. Fry's insights highlight the emotional toll these cases can take, but also the importance of transparent communication with the public.