FBI zeroes in on key dates in Nancy Guthrie disappearance case amid sheriff recall effort
The investigation into the disappearance of 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie has taken a significant turn as the FBI intensifies its focus on two pivotal dates leading up to her vanishing in Arizona on January 31. This progress emerges amid a backdrop of controversy surrounding Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos, who is currently facing a recall effort. Critics are pointing to his inconsistent communication strategies and the diminishing public confidence in the management of the investigation. Retired NYPD Inspector Paul Mauro highlights how these missteps have adversely affected this high-profile case.
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department is already under fire for its handling of the Nancy Guthrie case, and now faces additional backlash for a perceived insensitive online post. The department posted an update on X at 10:50 p.m. Thursday, stating, “Update: Nancy has been located.” This announcement was in reference to Nancy Radakovich, an 82-year-old woman who was reported missing earlier that day, not Nancy Guthrie.
Meanwhile, the family of Nancy Guthrie, including her daughter Savannah Guthrie, co-host of NBC’s “Today,” is calling for renewed attention as the search extends into its seventh week. Nancy Guthrie was last seen leaving her suburban Tucson home on February 1, and her disappearance has captivated international audiences, intensifying scrutiny on Sheriff Chris Nanos and his department for their handling of the case.
The sheriff’s office made the post in reference to a missing woman named Nancy Radakovich, an 82-year-old who the department had announced was missing 12 hours earlier.
Nancy Guthrie, the mother of “Today” co-host Savannah Guthrie, remains missing and the family is urging renewed attention as the search hits seven weeks Sunday. (NBC)
Nancy Guthrie, mother of “TODAY” host Savannah Guthrie, went missing from her suburban Tucson home on Feb. 1. The case, which has not been solved, captured weeks of international attention, and the Pima County Sheriff’s Department and Sheriff Chris Nanos continue to face heat for their handling of the probe.
“Ok now you’re all just being a–holes on purpose.,” one X user responded to Thursday night’s post. “Thank god she was found but COME ON. Can you be anymore tone deaf???”
“What a miserable tone deaf out of touch police dept,” said another. “WTF is wrong with you people? And the post is STILL up with NO EDITS. Morons.”
“Are you kidding? So unprofessional! You couldn’t list the last name?” said a third.
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos gives an update on the investigation after the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of U.S. journalist and television host Savannah Guthrie, who went missing from her in Tucson, Arizona, U.S. February 5, 2026. (Rebecca Noble/Reuters)
“Pima County Sheriff’s Department announces ‘Nancy has been located.’ Now they’re just trolling us,” another user said.
Other users said the wording of the post seemed “deliberate,” with one user calling the department “evil.”
Nanos has faced criticism throughout the Guthrie case for a perceived lack of cooperation with the FBI, along with other investigatory decisions that critics say may have hindered the investigation.
On Thursday night, Fox News Digital reported that DNA evidence, including test results from a hair sample, have been obtained by the FBI.
Investigators collected the DNA evidence from Guthrie’s home and shared it with the FBI.
The sheriff’s department took to X to reiterate that it has been cooperating with the federal law enforcement agency.
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos exits the press room past a missing persons poster after giving an update on the investigation after the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of U.S. journalist and television host Savannah Guthrie, who went missing from her home in Tucson, Arizona, U.S. February 5, 2026. (Rebecca Noble/Reuters)
“PCSD has worked with the FBI since the beginning of the Guthrie investigation. This is not new information,” the department wrote on X. “The private lab we utilize in Florida continues to share information with the FBI lab & other partner labs across the country. DNA analysis remains ongoing.”
A glove that was considered to be potential evidence in the case was sent to a lab in Florida instead of the FBI, one law enforcement source told Fox News Digital on Feb. 12.
“The FBI asked Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos for physical evidence in the case, including a glove and DNA from the home of 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie, to be processed at the FBI’s national crime laboratory in Quantico, Virginia, but Nanos has insisted instead on using a private lab in Florida,” the official said.
Members of the press work outside the home of Nancy Guthrie, the missing mother of “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie, Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026, in Tucson, Ariz. (Caitlin O’Hara/AP)
A source told Fox News Digital that after the testing in Florida, the FBI would need to retest the evidence anyway.
“It’s just the FBI developed this method and can do it so much better without destroying the evidence,” the source said. “I’ve seen so many cases go to Florida and be consumed. Also, they are not as fast, and in this case, time matters.”
Another federal law enforcement source accused Nanos of blocking the FBI from obtaining the evidence, first reported by Reuters and confirmed by Fox News Digital.
A supportive sign left by neighbors is posted outside of the home of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of U.S. journalist and television host Savannah Guthrie, who went missing from her home in Tucson, Arizona, U.S. February 4, 2026. (Rebecca Noble/Reuters)
“It risks further slowing a case that grows more urgent by the minute,” the official told Reuters, citing unspecified “earlier setbacks” in the investigation. The official also criticized Nanos for not requesting help from the FBI earlier in the case.
Pima County has a contract with DNA Labs International, located in Deerfield Beach, Florida for testing of evidence.
Nanos also faced allegations that the initial search for Guthrie was delayed because he had busted the department’s high-tech search aircraft pilot down to street patrol over a personal dispute, leaving the agency scrambling to get the plane in the air on day Guthrie went missing.
Nanos has been plagued by other personnel scandals, including an independent investigation into bullying and retaliation allegations against the sheriff which found that a “preponderance of the evidence” showed he abused his office for political gain during a close race in 2024 against former PCSD Lt. Heather Lappin.
Fox News Digital reached out to the Pima County Sheriff’s Department.
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