A week has passed since Nancy Guthrie, 84-year-old mother of “Today” show anchor Savannah Guthrie, vanished from her Tucson home, plunging her family into a desperate search for answers. As the nation watches and waits, a disturbing detail has emerged, raising questions about the priorities of those leading the investigation.
While Savannah Guthrie and her siblings issued another heartfelt plea for their mother’s safe return – offering to meet the demands of potential kidnappers – Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos was seen attending a college basketball game. The image, captured Saturday night, sparked immediate criticism, with one observer calling it “a sad look” given the urgency of the case and its widespread attention.
The Guthrie family’s message, delivered with visible anguish, was a direct appeal to those holding Nancy. “We received your message and we understand,” Savannah Guthrie stated, flanked by her brother and sister. “We beg you now to return our mother to us so that we can celebrate with her. This is the only way we will have peace. This is very valuable to us, and we will pay.”
The investigation, however, has been plagued by setbacks and internal conflict. A crucial search effort was reportedly delayed by three hours due to a dispute between Sheriff Nanos and the pilot of the department’s advanced search aircraft. The pilot, subsequently demoted to street patrol, had even pleaded with Nanos to reverse the decision, a plea that went unanswered.
Law enforcement sources paint a picture of a department hampered by questionable leadership decisions. The delay in deploying the aircraft, described as “an eternity” in a search for a vulnerable adult, is just one example. A critical unit was left critically understaffed, even as the search for Nancy Guthrie gained national prominence.
Further compounding the concerns, Nanos admitted to prematurely releasing Nancy Guthrie’s home as a crime scene, only to return days later to collect additional evidence. He acknowledged the error, stating the scene should have remained secured for a longer period and that outside agencies could have been called in sooner.
The sheriff’s handling of the case has drawn intense public scrutiny, with online criticism escalating to harsh condemnation. This isn’t the first time Nanos’ leadership has been questioned. His career, spanning nearly five decades in law enforcement, has been marked by both experience and controversy.
Nanos’ path to becoming sheriff was not without obstacles. He lost an election in 2016, only to narrowly win reelection in 2020 and again in 2024 – a victory overshadowed by allegations of interference. In the lead-up to the most recent election, both his opponent and a vocal union leader were placed on administrative leave, accused of violating department policies.
The union leader, who openly campaigned against Nanos, later filed a federal lawsuit alleging a violation of his First Amendment rights. A criminal investigation into potential election interference was also reportedly launched. These past events now cast a long shadow over the current search for Nancy Guthrie, raising serious questions about the sheriff’s judgment and priorities.
Adding to the complexity, Nanos also faced criticism for his handling of an internal investigation involving a sexual assault of a female deputy by a supervisor. As the search for Nancy Guthrie continues, the focus remains on bringing her home safely, but the cloud of controversy surrounding the investigation grows darker with each passing hour.
