In this scenario, would the ransom note a day or two after her disappearance have given the family a shred of hope that perhaps she
did survive it? I need to find the link*, but IIRC, Nanos mentioned calling in homicide.
All JMO/MMO
*Searchers were using drones and search dogs to look for Guthrie, officials said. Search and rescue teams were supported by volunteers and Border Patrol
and the homicide team was also involved, he said. It is not standard for the homicide team to get involved in such cases, Nanos said.
Editing to add - from the same article:
"“You don't typically get the sheriff out at a scene like this, but it's very concerning what we're learning from the house…” he said. “
The only thing I can tell you at the scene is it's concerning to us.”"
Authorities say 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie vanished from her Tucson home over the weekend as deputies deploy drones, dogs and homicide investigators.
news.azpm.org