The Arizona sheriff leading the investigation into Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance has released an update on the status of the case, which marks the 100th anniversary of the incident.
In an interview with local station KOLD published on May 12, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos reaffirmed that both local investigators and the FBI remain actively involved in solving the case of the Today anchor’s 84-year-old mother.
“They are working hard to resolve this issue and I think they are getting closer and closer to it every day,” Nanos told the outlet.
Savannah Guthrie’s elderly mother was last seen on January 31 in what appeared to be a kidnapping in her Catalina Foothills area just north of Tucson, Arizona.
Nanos rejects claims that FBI was being kept away from investigation
Nanos confirmed that the FBI has been involved from “day one” and said the agency is working with research institutions on both “the digital side or the biological side, DNA.”
“I think some people move at a snail’s pace,” he continued. “But for my research team, and for me, we think this is, no, this is doing exactly what we’re supposed to do.”
FBI Director Kash Patel criticized the handling of the investigation by Arizona authorities, claiming on the May 5 episode of “Hangouts with Sean Hannity” that Arizona authorities “tried to shut[the FBI]out” for four days early in the case.
In a statement provided to USA TODAY, the Pima County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that Nanos was aware of the interview and wrote that “coordination with the bureau began without delay while the FBI director was not on scene.”
Sheriff to testify to oversight committee about his career history
Nanos’ latest comments come as a bipartisan pair of Pima County supervisors continue their campaign to remove him from office. The sheriff has faced mounting backlash for allegedly misrepresenting his employment history in affidavits, public resumes, media interviews and reports to county leaders.
On May 12, the Democratic-dominated Pima County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to use former territory law to force Nanos to testify under oath about his employment history and other matters.
Democratic Supervisor Matt Heintz and Republican Supervisor Steve Christie, who had called for Nanos to resign, attended the May 12 board meeting.
“There’s no wonder at all why we’re having such a harrowing, horrifying time trying to solve this very tragic case. It really falls squarely on the shoulders of the sheriff,” Christie said.
The backlash against Nanos’ actions intensified after Pima County Assessor Suzanne Druby accused him of reprimanding her for complying with the FBI’s request because the agency had more leads to pursue in the Guthrie case.
Evidence found so far in the Nancy Guthrie case
Law enforcement previously confirmed that blood found on the home’s porch belonged to Nancy Guthrie, and that authorities also found DNA evidence in the home that did not belong to her or those close to her.
On February 10, the FBI released doorbell video of the suspect, described as a “male, approximately 5 feet 9 inches to 5 feet 10 inches tall, of average build,” at Guthrie’s front door the night she went missing.
The sheriff’s office said black gloves similar to those worn by the suspect in the video did not match anything in the FBI’s Combined DNA Index System (CODIS). No DNA was found on the premises.
Savannah Guthrie shares message of hope amid mother’s disappearance
After leaving the Today show in February, Savannah Guthrie returned to the show in April and has been on the air ever since.
On May 13th, she posted a hopeful message on her Instagram Story. Guthrie reshared a post by her Today magazine colleague Carson Daly, quoting a Bible verse and the quote, “No matter how hopeless life seems, keep praying. God can change your entire life in an instant.”
“Take her home,” Daley added.
Guthrie previously shared a touching tribute to his mother on Mother’s Day. In the caption of a clip featuring videos and photos of Nancy Guthrie, the Today anchor wrote, “Mother, daughter, sister, Nonnie, we miss you with every breath. We will never stop looking for you. We will never be at peace until we find you.” He added: “Please continue to pray. Please bring her home.”
Contributor: Stephanie Murray, Arizona Republic; Brendan Morrow, USA TODAY
