Pima County Sheriff Defends Investigation into Nancy Guthrie's Disappearance

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos has responded to criticisms regarding the investigation into Nancy Guthrie's disappearance, emphasizing the early involvement of federal authorities. Kash Patel's claims about the FBI's exclusion during critical early hours have been disputed by the sheriff's office. The investigation, which has received over 13,000 public tips, continues as authorities seek to uncover new leads. Sheriff Nanos assures a commitment to a thorough and coordinated investigation alongside federal partners. Read on for more details about this ongoing case.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 7, 2026, 03:45 IST

Sheriff Responds to Criticism Over Investigation

Chris Nanos, the sheriff of Pima County, has addressed criticisms from Kash Patel regarding the investigation into the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the mother of Savannah Guthrie, a well-known US television host. Sheriff Nanos emphasized that federal authorities were involved from the beginning, countering claims that the FBI was not engaged during the initial phases of the investigation. According to a statement from the sheriff's office, "Sheriff Nanos was on-site the night of the incident, providing immediate local leadership and oversight. A member of the FBI Task Force was also alerted and present at the scene, collaborating with our personnel." The statement further clarified that the FBI was quickly informed by both the sheriff's department and the Guthrie family, ensuring that coordination with the Bureau began without delay.

In an interview with a prominent media figure, Patel alleged that federal investigators were excluded during the crucial early hours following Guthrie's disappearance. He remarked, "The first 48 hours of anyone's disappearance are the most critical. For four days, we were kept out of the investigation. When we were finally allowed in, we retrieved the Ring doorbell footage." Patel also mentioned that the FBI had requested assistance from Google to access data before it was deleted, which led to the identification of a suspect.

Nancy Guthrie, aged 84, was reported missing on January 31 and is suspected to have been taken from her residence against her will. The FBI has since released images of a masked individual approaching her front door during the night. Authorities have received over 13,000 tips from the public, but the investigation has not yet yielded significant progress. The sheriff's office stated that decisions regarding evidence processing were made based on operational requirements and highlighted that their laboratory has collaborated closely with the FBI's facility in Quantico. "We are dedicated to a thorough, coordinated, and fact-based investigation and will continue to work closely with our federal partners as the process advances," the statement concluded.