Police Face Mounting Criticism Over Nancy Guthrie Disappearance Investigation
Law enforcement authorities are confronting escalating criticism regarding their handling of the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, as investigators conducted a third search of her Arizona home on Friday. The Pima County Sheriff's Office has come under intense scrutiny for multiple alleged missteps during the seven-day investigation into the missing mother of Today show host Savannah Guthrie.
New Evidence Emerges During Third Search
During Friday's search operation, FBI agents recovered a camera mounted to the roof of Nancy's Tucson home that had been overlooked during two prior searches conducted by local authorities. Additionally, a blue Subaru SUV believed to belong to the missing 84-year-old was towed from the residence for forensic processing, marking the first time the vehicle has been examined as evidence since her disappearance.
Nancy Guthrie vanished from her $1 million home during the early morning hours of Sunday, February 1, sparking a complex investigation that has drawn national media attention to the rural Catalina Foothills area where she resides.
Sheriff's Controversial Statements and Investigation Decisions
Sheriff Chris Nanos, who has led the county's law enforcement since 2020, has become a focal point for criticism following several controversial statements and investigative decisions. The sheriff initially told NBC News on Monday, February 2: 'I think she was abducted... When you're taken from your bed and you don't want to go somewhere, that's an abduction.' He later clarified he was speaking figuratively without concrete evidence of such an event.
Nanos has acknowledged his discomfort with the intense media scrutiny, stating: 'I'm not used to everybody hanging on to my words and then trying to hold me accountable for what I say.' During a Thursday press conference, when questioned about potential suspects and motives, he responded: 'My guesswork is as good as yours.'
Investigation Procedures Questioned
The sheriff's office has faced questions about several procedural aspects of the investigation:
- Crime scene tape around Nancy's house was reportedly removed and reinstalled four separate times
- The department failed to deploy its fixed-wing Cessna aircraft equipped with thermal imaging cameras immediately after Nancy was reported missing
- The aircraft remained grounded for approximately five hours due to staffing shortages
Matt Heinz, a member of the Pima County Board of Supervisors, emphasized the significance of this delay: 'The initial few hours of any kind of search like this are absolutely crucial.'
Staffing and Resource Issues
Sergeant Aaron Cross, president of the Pima County Sheriff's Deputies Association, revealed that trained aviators who could have operated the search aircraft had been transferred out of the Air Operations Unit in recent weeks. This staffing shortage directly impacted the department's ability to conduct aerial searches during the critical early hours of the investigation.
Nanos has conceded that he should have requested FBI assistance and regional support teams earlier in the investigation. When questioned about potential evidentiary issues caused by the repeated removal of crime scene tape, the sheriff stated: 'I'll let the court worry about it. We follow the rules of law.'
Media and Public Response
The Tucson Sentinel published an op-ed advising Nanos to limit media interactions until substantive updates emerge, criticizing his communication approach. Meanwhile, Nancy's supposed abductors have not contacted the Guthrie family, despite multiple public appeals from her children pleading for their mother's safe return.
As of Saturday afternoon, investigators have not identified any suspects or persons of interest in the case. The investigation continues with heightened scrutiny on law enforcement procedures and decision-making during the critical initial phase of the search for the missing octogenarian.
