TUCSON, Ariz. – According to sources speaking to Fox News Digital, only one detective from the Pima County Sheriff’s Department, dedicated to solving the case of Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance, has more than two years of experience in their current role.
Authorities reported that Nancy Guthrie, aged 84, was abducted from her Tucson, Arizona residence in the early hours of February 1, as confirmed by Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos. The belief is that she did not leave the house voluntarily.
Information obtained by Fox News Digital reveals that just one detective on the homicide team has held their current role for over two years. However, all investigators have substantial experience within the department, though their previous assignments remain unspecified.
It remains uncertain how much the FBI’s involvement will escalate, yet they have notably returned to Guthrie’s home and collected surveillance equipment over the weekend.
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos was seen leaving the press briefing room, passing by a missing persons poster, after providing an update on the search for Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of journalist and TV host Savannah Guthrie, who vanished from her Tucson home. (REUTERS/Rebecca Noble)
Sources within law enforcement highlighted an initial delay in collaboration between local authorities and federal investigators, with several days passing before federal agents were fully integrated into the investigation.
Former FBI agent Jonathan Gilliam told Fox News Digital that the lack of experience of people leading the investigation stems from the sheriff himself.
“If the bulk of detectives that are placed on a high-profile case like this are inexperienced, it points to massive control issues by the sheriff himself,” Gilliam said. “As is apparent from what I’ve seen of this sheriff, he himself should not be in the position he is in, let alone leading a team of investigators in a high pressure, fast moving scenario.”
An undated photo of Nancy Guthrie and Savannah Guthrie was provided by NBC in response to the disappearance of the 84-year-old mother of the “Today” show host. (Courtesy of NBC)
“It’s a disaster for details when details matter the most,” he added.
Notably, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos was spotted at a University of Arizona basketball game on Saturday night, as NBC “Today” host Savanna Guthrie and her two siblings released a plea on Instagram for their mother’s safe return.
The home of Nancy Guthrie, the missing mother of “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie, is seen from above, Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026, in Tucson, Ariz. (Caitlin O’Hara/AP Photo)
The alleged ransom’s final deadline in Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance was Monday at 5 p.m., which has since passed. An FBI spokesperson told Fox News Digital that they were not aware of “any continued communication” between the Guthrie family and the suspected kidnappers.
“For more than a week, FBI agents, analysts, and professional staff have worked around the clock to reunite Nancy Guthrie with her family. The FBI is not aware of any continued communication between the Guthrie family and suspected kidnappers, nor have we identified a suspect or person of interest in this case at this time. Additional personnel from FBI field offices across the nation continue to deploy to Tucson,” the spokesperson said. “We are currently operating a 24-hour command post that includes crisis management experts, analytic support, and investigative teams. But we still need the public’s help. Someone has that one piece of information that can help us bring Nancy home. We need that person to share what they know. Please call us at 1-800-CALL-FBI.”
Fox News Digital reached out to the Pima County Sheriff’s Department for comment, but didn’t receive a response.
