The disappearance of British backpacker Nancy Guthrie has entered its third week with no significant leads, prompting a public appeal from her family and mounting pressure on UK media outlets to demand answers from authorities.
Guthrie, 27, was last seen on the evening of October 14th leaving a hostel in the historic district of Cartagena, Colombia. Her mobile phone signal was traced to a coastal area south of the city, but subsequent searches by Colombian police have yielded no trace. The British Foreign Office has confirmed it is providing consular assistance, but a lack of progress has frustrated both the family and sections of the British press.
In an emotional statement released through the Foreign Office, Guthrie's mother, Margaret Guthrie, said: "We are living a nightmare. Every day without news is unbearable. If anyone knows anything, please come forward. We need to bring Nancy home."
The case has drawn parallels to the disappearance of Grace Millane in New Zealand in 2018, which generated intense media scrutiny and eventually led to the conviction of a local man. British tabloids have already begun questioning why Colombian authorities have not made more progress, with some suggesting that institutional weaknesses in the country's police force may be a factor.
Colombian police have defended their efforts, noting that they have interviewed dozens of witnesses and analysed CCTV footage from the area. However, they have acknowledged that the absence of a clear motive or suspect has made the investigation complex. The British ambassador to Colombia has urged calm, stating that they are in regular contact with local authorities to ensure all resources are deployed.
Forensic experts have noted that the delay in finding Guthrie is not unusual for missing persons cases in regions with limited surveillance infrastructure. But the emotional toll on the family and the growing media pressure are creating a sense of urgency. The British press, traditionally cautious about criticising foreign governments, has begun to adopt a more assertive tone, with several broadsheet commentators arguing that the case should not be allowed to fade from public view.
The Foreign Office has reiterated its commitment to the case but declined to comment on specific operational matters. Meanwhile, the Guthrie family has set up a fundraising page to support the search effort, which has already raised over £50,000.
As the trail grows cold, the question remains: will the combination of family desperation and media demand be enough to break the case open? For now, the wait continues.
