Investigators recently examined a concerning development at Savannah Guthrie’s mother’s home after service dogs alerted officers to a strong odor coming from a bathroom toilet drain, briefly raising fears of a more serious discovery. Officials familiar with the inspection have clarified that the smell does not appear to be linked to harm or foul play.

Plumbing specialists determined that the odor was consistent with a drain that had gone unused for an extended period. When water in a drain trap sits stagnant—or evaporates entirely—gases from the sewer system can rise back into the home, creating a strong and unpleasant smell. While the finding does not indicate a crime, investigators say it may still be relevant in understanding the timeline of events.

If parts of the home had not been used for days, it could help narrow down when the house was last occupied in a typical manner. Questions remain about whether the odor suggests the house had been empty longer than expected or indicates a disruption to daily routines before the disappearance. Every small detail is being examined for potential clues about the circumstances surrounding Nancy Guthrie’s absence. Family members have expressed relief that the odor was not connected to something more tragic, though the unanswered questions remain.

“Even small details matter now,” a source close to the family said. “They’re trying to understand every quiet sign that was missed.” Police emphasized that while the discovery is not alarming on its own, it will be documented as part of the broader timeline analysis. In a case filled with uncertainty, even something as ordinary as an unused drain raises one lingering question: when was the last time life inside that house felt normal?