The sheriff’s department under scrutiny for its handling of Nancy Guthrie’s abduction is facing renewed criticism following a misleading social media post that led many to believe the missing 84-year-old mother had been found. Late Thursday, the Pima County Sheriff’s Department’s social media team published a message stating simply, “Update: Nancy has been located.”
However, the update actually pertained to Nancy Radakovich, an 82-year-old woman who closely resembles Savannah Guthrie’s mother, who remains missing. This detail was not immediately apparent, as the post omitted her last name and featured an unclear image marked with a large “LOCATED” stamp.
“I LITERALLY THOUGHT THIS WAS NANCY GUTHRIE. THE WAY MY HEART JUST DROPPED!” one commentator expressed, highlighting the confusion and panic the post induced.
Critics voiced their discontent, with one stating, “Pima County is a joke. Obviously, it is great this lady was located but you guys have to be absolutely brain dead to not know people would think this was Nancy Guthrie, they even look alike,” further adding, “No wonder her kidnapper got away with it.”
Some accused the department of using “clickbait” tactics by not specifying Nancy’s last name, thereby failing to clearly distinguish it from the widely publicized missing person case.
Others said it was “clickbait” not to include Nancy’s surname, to make clear it was not the country’s biggest missing person’s case.
“I swear to God this Twitter account is run by Mr. Magoo,” added a second X user.
Another user pointed out that in previous missing person posts, Pima County had used the person’s surname in the text.
“Of all the posts youâve made about a missing person being located (Mr/Mrs last name, or first name/last name ), you chose THIS ONE to use the first name only??” the X user wrote.
Pima County Sheriff’s Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
