What Briana Whitney has said about Pima County Sheriff's Department

Whitney says the missteps in the investigation make her worry about a future prosecution, and that the sheriff admitted the scene should have been kept secure.

“there have been a lot of missteps. Like so much so that I'm honestly concerned about if we ever get to an arrest, what the prosecution is going to do”

Crime Junkie: EXCLUSIVE: Nancy Guthrie (Jul 22, 2026) · Listen from 30:02

Whitney reveals that Sheriff Nanos answered her team's clarifying text about DNA evidence around 9:50 p.m. with a dismissive reply.

“We immediately received a text back from him that said, did you happen to notice the time? Give it a rest”

Crime Junkie: EXCLUSIVE: Nancy Guthrie (Jul 22, 2026) · Listen from 32:36

Whitney says Sheriff Nanos made claims in interviews that were not backed by fact, including that arrests had occurred.

“Somewhat recently, he went on to a news station and said that there's been like arrests. There haven't. There's been no arrests”

Crime Junkie: EXCLUSIVE: Nancy Guthrie (Jul 22, 2026) · Listen from 33:13

Whitney predicts authorities will hold another press conference only for a major development, such as an arrest, confirmation of the notes, or finding Guthrie.

“I think that a press conference will happen only if there is a massive update”

Crime Junkie: EXCLUSIVE: Nancy Guthrie (Jul 22, 2026) · Listen from 51:18