Investigators have confirmed that the longtime gardener at the Guthrie estate has regained consciousness after several days in intensive care. The man, in his late seventies, was found unconscious near the property’s rear service path shortly after Nancy Guthrie was reported missing. Initially treated as a workplace accident, medical evaluations later revealed head trauma consistent with blunt-force impact, though authorities have not ruled out the possibility of outside involvement given the timing.

Because he remained unconscious during the early stages of the investigation, detectives were unable to question him while leads were still fresh. His familiarity with the estate and its routines made his silence a significant gap in the case. Now that he has awakened, investigators are revisiting his role as a potential witness.

According to sources present at the hospital, shortly after regaining consciousness he reportedly uttered, “The person who took Nancy was…” before trailing off. The statement, made before formal questioning, has been documented as a spontaneous utterance. However, officials caution that patients recovering from head trauma and sedation may experience confusion or fragmented memory.

Detectives are waiting until he is medically stable to conduct a structured interview. For now, authorities stress that his incomplete remark represents a developing lead—not confirmation of abduction or identification of a suspect. The case remains active, with investigators carefully balancing urgency and medical realities as they seek clarity.