Ongoing Search for Missing Arizona Woman Sparks Controversy Over Sheriff's Actions

The search for Nancy Guthrie, an 84-year-old woman missing from Arizona, has led to renewed criticism of Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos. Allegations suggest he reprimanded officials for cooperating with the FBI, raising concerns about the investigation's management. Guthrie, mother of NBC's Savannah Guthrie, was reported missing on February 1. As the investigation continues, Savannah has returned to her hosting duties on NBC, expressing gratitude for the network's support during this difficult time. The situation remains tense as the community awaits updates on the ongoing search.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 13, 2026, 03:45 IST

Renewed Criticism of Sheriff Nanos Amid Ongoing Investigation

Chris Nanos, the Sheriff of Pima County, is under fire once again as the search for Nancy Guthrie, a missing woman from Arizona, continues. Reports from US media indicate that Nanos reprimanded a county official for providing information to the FBI, which led to additional investigative leads. This incident has intensified scrutiny regarding how the investigation into Guthrie's disappearance is being managed. Nancy Guthrie, 84, and mother of NBC's Savannah Guthrie, was reported missing by her family on February 1. Authorities suspect she vanished from her home in the Catalina Foothills area near Tucson the night before.

FBI Director Kash Patel has publicly criticized the sheriff's office, noting that the bureau had offered significant support at the start of the investigation, which was reportedly declined by Sheriff Nanos. Questions have also arisen regarding the decision to send DNA evidence related to the case to a private lab in Florida instead of the FBI's facility in Quantico, Virginia. While the Pima County Sheriff's Department leads the investigation, the FBI is providing assistance.

In response to the latest allegations, the sheriff's department informed Fox News reporter Michael Ruiz that they had no further information to share. Over three months have passed since Guthrie was reported missing, and the search efforts are still active. Meanwhile, Savannah Guthrie has resumed her hosting role on NBC after a brief hiatus following her mother's disappearance. NBC has also revealed that she will host a new game show inspired by the Wordle puzzle, developed in collaboration with Jimmy Fallon, set to premiere next year during NBC's prime-time lineup. During an appearance on Fallon's show, Guthrie expressed gratitude for the network's support during this challenging time, stating, 'When everything happened with me and my family, they just stopped everything and said, ‘we'll wait for you.' Hollywood can be a tough industry, and I appreciate NBC's backing.'