Sheriff shrugs off missteps in Nancy Guthrie case, calls for captor to ‘let her go’
As the search for Nancy Guthrie approaches the two-month mark, Pima County authorities are sending a clear message to anyone involved in her disappearance, while her family calls on the public to renew attention to the case.
In an interview with News 4 Tucson, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos defended the department’s actions and said he stands by the decisions made during the early stages of the investigation, despite the case remaining unresolved.
“I have no regrets about the work my team has done,” Nanos said. “We did what we could at the time, and I stand by that.”
Guthrie, 84, mother of “Today” co-host Savannah Guthrie, went missing on the night of January 31 after returning home from dinner with family. She was reported missing the following day after failing to attend church. Authorities have released doorbell camera footage showing a masked individual outside her Catalina Foothills home on the night she vanished.
Investigators continue to rely on digital evidence, including cellphone records, surveillance videos, and forensic analysis, but no arrests have been announced. When asked what he would say to the person responsible, Sheriff Nanos issued a direct appeal:
“Just give her up. Take her to a hospital, a clinic, anywhere. Just let her go.”
Meanwhile, Guthrie’s family has asked the community to review any information that could help solve the case. In an Instagram post over the weekend, they urged people to examine camera footage, text messages, journals, or even conversations that may hold significance in hindsight.
“No detail is too small. It may be the key,” the family wrote. They highlighted several critical periods, including the night of January 31, the early hours of February 1, and the late evening of January 11, when a masked man was reportedly seen at Guthrie’s doorstep weeks before her disappearance.
The family emphasized that local residents may hold crucial information without realizing it. “Someone knows something,” they said. “It’s possible a member of this community has information that they do not even realize is significant.”
News 4 Tucson also highlighted the profound impact Guthrie’s disappearance has had on Tucson. Vigils, messages, flowers, and tips have poured in from neighbors, colleagues, and strangers. Former colleagues described Guthrie as a quiet but influential figure whose work in public health, education, and journalism left a lasting mark. Jacqueline Sharkey, a former University of Arizona professor who collaborated with Guthrie for decades, called her “a quiet leader who was effective without even trying.”
Guthrie played a key role in saving the University of Arizona Poison Information Center, collecting over 20,000 signatures before the internet era to ensure the program’s survival—a campaign that benefited thousands across Arizona. Ribbons in her honor are now being worn by staff at El Charro, the Tucson restaurant where Guthrie had lunch with her daughters shortly before her disappearance.
Ray Flores, president of Flores Concepts, said the case resonated with the community when staff realized the situation was more serious than a typical missing person case. “You could see how close they were as a family,” he said. “When that kind of pain hits, it affects the whole community.” Employees at El Charro continue wearing ribbons to maintain awareness.
Neighbors in Catalina Foothills have also taken initiative, sharing surveillance footage and cross-referencing video from surrounding homes to assist investigators. Their goal, one resident said, is to be “targeted and useful.” Additional precautions, such as increased check-ins and discussions about reviving a neighborhood watch, have also been implemented.
A growing shrine outside Guthrie’s home—filled with flowers, candles, and handwritten notes—has become a focal point for the community’s grief and determination. Savannah Guthrie and her family recently returned to the site, visibly emotional as they observed the tributes.
In their latest statement, the family reiterated their singular focus:
“We miss our mom with every breath, and we cannot be at peace until she is home. We cannot grieve. We can only ache and wonder.”
A reward exceeding $1 million is being offered for information that leads to Guthrie’s recovery. Anyone with knowledge of her whereabouts is urged to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or submit a tip to local law enforcement.
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