Four weeks had passed since Nancy Guthrie vanished, and a strange tableau unfolded outside her Tucson home. Journalists, a mix of seasoned professionals and a new breed of independent streamers, waited, cameras poised. When a car pulled into the driveway, they instinctively recorded as a Pima County Sheriff’s deputy turned the vehicle away.
The driver, however, wasn’t a family member or acquaintance. She was a food delivery worker, burdened with bags of Wendy’s – cheeseburgers, chicken nuggets, and a large drink. Her destination: Alina Smith, a co-founder of Crime Seen Collective, a network of online sleuths broadcasting from the scene.
Smith, who had driven from Dallas, explained the unexpected delivery. A follower, responding to her mention of hunger during a live stream, had simply ordered the meal. She and others like her represent a growing force in crime reporting – “boots on the ground,” offering raw, continuous coverage to devoted online audiences.
The Guthrie case has drawn a national spotlight, but it’s also highlighted a shift in the media landscape. Traditional journalism now shares the stage with these independent streamers, amateur investigators broadcasting every detail, every development, in real-time.
Mel Smith, broadcasting on his “Watching the World 777” YouTube channel, arrived from just north of New York City. Dressed in a suit and tie despite the desert heat, he provided updates and a visual record of the growing memorial for the missing 84-year-old. He emphasized a commitment to factual reporting, even bringing in legal experts to dissect courtroom proceedings.
Smith’s background is extensive, having covered high-profile trials like the Sean “Diddy” Combs case and the legal proceedings involving former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro – even recounting a peculiar encounter with Maduro offering repeated “Happy New Year” greetings.
Alina Smith’s Crime Seen Collective, launched in 2024, gained prominence covering the tragic 2022 University of Idaho murders. Funded by donations, her team offers constant exterior views of the Guthrie home and surrounding neighborhood, despite growing frustration from some residents.
The constant presence has led to unusual incidents, like a request from the Pima County Sheriff’s Department to stop ordering food deliveries to the crime scene. Yet, the streamers remain, often gathering during shift changes or whenever activity occurs at the house.
Not everyone views this new form of reporting favorably. Concerns are rising about ethical standards and the potential for harm. Sheriff Chris Nanos publicly refuted claims made by some streamers suggesting family involvement in Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance, calling such speculation “cruel” and “wrong.”
Experts like Robert Quigley, a journalism professor, stress the importance of ethical considerations. He notes a spectrum of quality among these independent reporters, ranging from those practicing solid reporting to those driven by sensationalism.
State Representative Alma Hernandez, a Tucson resident, voiced her frustration online, accusing some streamers of spreading “lies” and “BS” that jeopardized the investigation. She implored them to leave, allowing law enforcement to work without interference.
Damian Enderle, a local Tucson reporter with his “857 Tucson” YouTube channel, offers a different perspective. He sees a place for both traditional media and this new wave of independent coverage, acknowledging the flexibility streamers offer.
While some news organizations have already scaled back their coverage due to a lull in developments, streamers like Smith intend to remain, sustained by their followers and a commitment to continue reporting until the story reaches its conclusion.
