Drop Dead Serious With Ashleigh Banfield

Episode: Sheriff Attacks Ace Reporter & Admits Cams Are a Bust | Nancy Guthrie Missing Day 17
Date: February 18, 2026
Host: Ashleigh Banfield

Overview

This episode covers the latest developments in the Nancy Guthrie abduction investigation, now at day 17. Ashleigh Banfield explores critical updates, revealing the failures and missteps of the Pima County Sheriff’s Department, controversy with ace reporter Brian Enten, new details from surveillance, DNA analysis, search strategies, misleading statements from authorities, and community involvement in the search for Nancy Guthrie. Banfield brings her signature irreverent, direct style, blending sharp critique with empathetic reporting.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Nest Camera Footage Admitted as a Bust

• [01:34; 34:15] Sheriff Chris Nanos (Pima County) finally confirmed there are multiple Nest cameras at Nancy Guthrie’s home—something Ashleigh reported on day 3.
  • The sheriff admits they can't extract video from additional cameras due to overwritten data or lack of subscription.
  • Quote (Sheriff Nanos, 34:15):
    "So we've asked Google, hey, guys, can you do this? And they said the very same thing. Sheriff, we don't think we can get anything, but we'll try."
• Frustration mounts as direct video evidence is unavailable, stunting the investigation.

2. The Blue Shirt Mystery

• [01:34; ~06:00] The blue L.L. Bean shirt spotted on Nancy’s front walk raised speculation.
  • Sheriff clarifies it was used by the US Border Patrol K9 unit for scent tracking and left behind accidentally, later retrieved.
  • Banfield remains skeptical about how such mishandling could happen and the time it remained at the scene.
  • Notable Quote (Ashleigh Banfield, ~06:30):
    "I take from that that U.S. border Patrol got the item of clothing from Nancy Guthrie that had her scent and then gave that to the dogs to try to track. And when their work was done, somebody left it there, just left it there."

3. The Business Card in the Door

• [08:00] Speculation over an Adult Protective Services card found wedged in Nancy’s door is resolved.
  • It was dropped post-abduction after a neighbor made a wellness call.
  • Banfield highlights the confusion and frustration such procedural oddities cause, given the timing and prominence of the case in the media.
  • Notable Quote:
    "Who the hell is this agent who just went up and said, you know, call me, okay? I'm done. All right?"

4. DNA Testing Drama

• [09:00; 12:05; 26:14] Multiple missteps and confusions over DNA testing:
  • Gloves found two miles away tested first and added to CODIS—no matches returned.
  • The more critical unknown male DNA from inside Guthrie’s house wasn’t immediately run through CODIS, leading to public outcry and Banfield’s confusion.
  • New info: The glove tested was not the one widely shown in photographs of the perpetrator.
  • Banfield explains DNA methods:
    • CODIS looks for direct matches among offenders.
    • Familial DNA and genetic genealogy (e.g., 23andMe) take much longer but can crack cold cases.
  • Notable Quote (Banfield, [12:05]):
    "You would put that...unknown male DNA...into CODIS first because that's the important DNA. The glove two miles down the road...yeah, it's important. But the house. Yeah, they didn't."

5. Pacemaker Tracking: Tech on the Case

• [13:00] Authorities deploy advanced "signal sniffers" (by Parsons Corp) from helicopters and drones to try to locate Nancy’s pacemaker, which continuously emits a Bluetooth signal.
  • This effort began February 3rd, shortly after the abduction.
  • Banfield is cautiously optimistic but acknowledges the technical limits.
  • Notable Quote:
    "If Nancy's alive, her pacemaker will obviously emit the signal. If Nancy is not alive, her pacemaker will still be working for years."

6. Tracking the Walmart “Crime Kit”

• [15:00] Investigators are working with Walmart to identify the purchaser of a unique backpack seen in surveillance, believed to be a possible "one-stop" crime kit purchase.
  • These purchases can be traced via SKU and credit card data.
  • Banfield believes this avenue may hold more promise than the house DNA.

7. Confusion and Backtracking: Are Family Members Cleared?

• [17:00] The sheriff’s statements on whether Nancy Guthrie’s family is cleared have wavered:
  • One day: “Cleared, period.”
  • Next day: Merely “not identified as suspects.”
  • FBI refuses to fully confirm family cleared.
  • Notable Quote:
    "Just stick with one report and stay with it and then like be consistent because you’re sending reporters into like freakout mode."

8. Evidence, Search Warrants, and Ground Tactics

• [20:00] Two new search warrants were executed: one on the Guthrie home, another on a Range Rover.

  • Details on evidence gathering remain confidential.

• [22:00; 43:18] The FBI is canvassing gun stores with a list of ~40 names and photos, looking for recent purchases.

  • Despite the sheriff’s denial, a gun shop employee confirms to FOX he was shown these lists.
    • Notable segment ([41:08]):
      • "It was three papers, and I want to say there was probably six to eight people per sheet. They had photographs and they had names..." —Gun Shop Employee.
    • The sheriff claims “that’s not true” ([43:18]), despite proof.
    • Banfield calls this “bullshit” and accuses the sheriff of misleading the public.

9. Sheriff Attacks Brian Enten and the Media

• [01:34; 35:25; 38:21] Ashleigh Banfield expresses outrage over Sheriff Nanos’ hostile conduct toward News Nation’s Brian Enten.
  • The sheriff accuses News Nation of using a misleading graphic chronicling police mistakes.
  • Notable Quotes:
    • Banfield ([01:34]):
      "The sheriff’s put out all these statements...And then he did something he should never, ever have done. He attacked Brian Enten. Fuck. Don’t attack Brian Enten. That guy’s reporting is impeccable."
    • Sheriff Nanos ([38:21]):
      "Not one, not two, not some. Every single one of those [reported errors] can be disputed. That they're completely without any factual basis to them."
  • Banfield:
    “You go after Brian Enten, you lose Enten, you lose Cronkite, and you lose the country.”

10. Additional Findings and Oddities

• Camera Techs Still Working: New attempts to extract surveillance video from neighbors’ systems are ongoing—even 17 days in ([44:00]).
• Landscapers and Pizza Deliveries: Normal home maintenance continues under police observation, but prank pizza deliveries remain disruptive.
• Rewards:
  • FBI offers $100,000; a Milwaukee lawyer adds another $100K.
• Community Tips and Response:
  • Tip lines see massive uptick—tens of thousands of calls since Feb 1.
  • FBI has received over 18,000 tips directly.
  • Banfield repeatedly urges: 1-800-CALL-FBI for any info.

Notable Quotes, Moments & Timestamps

• Blue Shirt Mishap (Sheriff Nanos via Matt Finn, ~06:00):
  "That shirt was used by United States Border Patrol K9 and it was left behind... Once we were notified, we retrieved it and verified it was left by USBP."

• Banfield on Sheriff’s Leadership ([17:40]):
  "I don't get this sheriff. Just stick with one report and stay with it... because you're sending reporters into like freakout mode trying to make sense of what you're doing."

• DNA Confusion ([12:05]):
  "You would put that...unknown male DNA...into CODIS first because that's the important DNA. The glove two miles down the road...yeah, it's important. But the house. Yeah, they didn't.... I don't know what the sheriff is doing."

• Sheriff Attacks the Press ([38:21]): "Not one, not two, not some. Every single one of those [investigation mistakes listed by News Nation] can be disputed that they're completely without any factual basis to them."

• Gun Shop Verification ([41:08]): "It was three papers, and I want to say there was probably six to eight people per sheet. They had photographs and they had names, and it was 6 to 8 per sheet.... None of those people had ever been here." – Gun Shop Employee

• Denial by Sheriff ([43:18]): "We've heard, for instance, the FBI is asking about 40 people at gun stores. That's not true." — Sheriff Nanos

Segment Timestamps of Importance

| Timestamp | Segment Description | |-----------|--------------------| | 01:34 | Banfield outlines breaking news: Nest cameras, blue shirt, DNA results, sheriff’s attacks | | 06:00 | Blue L.L. Bean shirt used by canine unit, later retrieved | | 09:00 | DNA delays: gloves vs. unknown male DNA | | 12:05 | CODIS testing explanation, further critique of priorities | | 13:00 | Pacemaker search technology explained | | 15:00 | Walmart "crime kit" focus, investigative strategy | | 17:00 | Sheriff’s inconsistent statements on whether family is cleared | | 20:00 | Search warrants and evidence handling | | 22:00 | FBI canvassing gun shops with list of suspects; sheriff’s denial | | 33:49 | Sheriff Nanos on evidence handling, cameras admitted as a bust | | 38:21 | Sheriff attacks Brian Enten, News Nation graphic | | 41:08 | Gun shop employee describes FBI search lists | | 43:18 | Sheriff explicitly denies FBI is showing suspect lists in gun shops | | 44:00 | Investigators seen at home, neighbor’s surveillance systems still at play |

Tone, Style, and Personality

• **Direct, irreverent, critical, fact-checking—**Ashleigh Banfield does not mince words and often uses sharp language (“bullshit,” “fuck,” “shit show”) to call out law enforcement inconsistencies or blunders.
• Empathetic toward the Guthrie family and the press, especially protective of reputable reporters like Brian Enten.
• Rich with forensic and investigative explanation—she breaks down DNA forensics, surveillance tech, police procedures for an audience invested in true crime nuance.
• Community-minded—emphasizes the importance of crowdsourced tips and public engagement.

Conclusion

Banfield delivers a comprehensive, unvarnished update on the Nancy Guthrie case, exposing law enforcement mistakes, mixed messaging, and investigative dead ends. She forcefully defends quality journalism in the face of official attacks and breaks down complex forensic details. The episode underscores both the challenges of high-stakes investigations and the vital role of truth, transparency, and community involvement—leaving listeners with a rallying call to share information and keep the pressure on until there is justice for Nancy Guthrie.

"If you know anything, 1-800-CALL-FBI. Crowdsourcing works."
(Ashleigh Banfield, closing)

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