Nancy Guthrie, sheriff, labeled ‘bully’ as missing case takes further twist

A retired law enforcement official has leveled serious accusations against Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos, describing him as a “vindictive bully” while raising concerns about the handling of the Nancy Guthrie investigation.

Rick Kastigar, who spent 37 years in law enforcement and served as a superior to Nanos for much of that time, made the remarks during an appearance on journalist Brian Entin’s program, Brian Entin Investigates, which aired March 23. In the interview, Kastigar discussed his long professional history with Nanos and explained why he has reservations about the way the Guthrie case has been managed.

Kastigar said he has known Nanos since the early days of the sheriff’s career. According to him, their professional paths first crossed in 1984 when Nanos joined the department while Kastigar was serving as a patrol sergeant. Over the years both men rose through the ranks, eventually placing Kastigar in leadership positions where Nanos reported directly to him.

During the interview, Kastigar said that throughout Nanos’s career he frequently heard complaints from other officers about his leadership style. He told Entin that colleagues had warned him Nanos treated subordinates harshly.

Kastigar said officers approached him privately to say that while Nanos appeared respectful toward supervisors, they believed he intimidated those who worked under him. At the time, Kastigar said he did not fully accept those claims.

That changed later, he said, after Nanos became sheriff and Kastigar served as his second-in-command. Kastigar said that working directly beneath him gave him a different perspective on Nanos’s behavior. He described the sheriff as egocentric, vindictive, and overly concerned with his public image.

Kastigar also criticized the way Nanos presented himself during the early stages of the Nancy Guthrie investigation. According to the retired officer, residents quickly noticed what he characterized as the sheriff’s focus on media appearances rather than investigative coordination.

He argued that instead of speaking widely to the public and media, greater attention should have been given to collaboration with federal investigators and other law enforcement agencies in the region to reassess the available evidence.

When asked about his own theory regarding Guthrie’s disappearance, Kastigar did not offer a specific explanation. However, he said he remains troubled by the direction of the investigation.

Kastigar suggested the sheriff’s approach appeared to signal that his department intended to handle the case independently, rather than seeking additional assistance. He indicated that this attitude raised concerns about whether all possible resources were being used.

The criticism comes amid broader scrutiny surrounding the investigation. Reports have highlighted several issues being questioned by observers, including the early release of the crime scene and claims about the sheriff’s time spent away from the office.

The case has also recently taken a new turn following a report from a 911 caller who said they saw a woman hanging out of a vehicle and screaming in the days surrounding the incident. Investigators continue to examine that information as the search for answers in the Nancy Guthrie case continues.