Authorities have addressed concerns after service dogs alerted officers to a strong odor coming from a bathroom drain inside Nancy Guthrie’s home. The discovery briefly raised fears of a more serious development, but officials say the smell was not linked to evidence of harm or foul play.

Plumbing specialists determined the odor was consistent with a drain that had gone unused for an extended period. When water in a drain trap evaporates, sewer gases can rise back into the home, producing a strong and unpleasant smell. Investigators confirmed this explanation aligns with what was found during inspection.

While no criminal significance has been attached to the odor itself, officials note it may still help clarify aspects of the timeline. An unused drain could suggest parts of the home were not occupied or used normally for a period of time, offering potential context about routine disruptions before the disappearance.

Family members were reportedly relieved the alert did not signal something more tragic. Investigators emphasized that even ordinary household details are being documented carefully as they continue working to reconstruct events and determine when daily life inside the home last followed its usual pattern.