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Savannah Guthrie’s mother Nancy update: Pima County official’s ‘troubling' statement raises concerns

'I find the responses problematic,' District 2 Supervisor Matt Heinz said

Published April 25, 2026
Savannah Guthrie’s mother Nancy update: Pima County official’s ‘troubling' statement raises concerns
Savannah Guthrie’s mother Nancy update: Pima County official’s ‘troubling' statement raises concerns

The search for Nancy Guthrie, the mother of Today host Savannah Guthrie, is still ongoing, but there are no definitive clues to her whereabouts.

Three months ago in February, Nancy Guthrie was abducted from her home in the Catalina Foothills of Tucson AZ, unfortunately, local authorities remain without a breakthrough.

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However, public attention has increasingly shifted toward the leadership of the investigation. Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos has found himself back in the spotlight as past controversies and professional hurdles emerge.

Last month, the Board of Supervisors in the county unanimously passed the vote, forcing Nanos to answer questions regarding his professional discrepancies.

In a detailed 22-page filing from his lawyers, Nanos denied any kind of wrongdoing, involving the accusations of misrepresenting his work history with the El Paso Police Department.

“I find the responses problematic,” District 2 Supervisor Matt Heinz told AZPM.

“The core thing that I’m most concerned about, and baffled by, is that (Nanos) chose to submit these 20 pages unsworn. The statute requires that this be under oath, and he did not do that by the deadline,” Heinz said.

In the filing from Nano’s attorney, there is no indication the sheriff’s statements were made under oath.

“This must be under oath. That’s what the statute requires,” Heinz added. “I don’t know if he’s refusing to do so, or isn’t comfortable doing so, or what. But that is troubling.”

However, Nanos’ attorney, James Cool, argued that the supervisors' formal request letter never explicitly asked for the report to be “sworn” or “under oath.”

There are some speculations that Nanos could be removed from the office. While the law allows for a position to be vacated if a report is not prepared, Jen Allen noted there is no clear precedent or established protocol related to removal from office.

Despite these controversies and legal friction, Chris Nanos remains the sheriff of Pima County and lead investigator overseeing investigation into Nancy Guthrie’s sudden disappearance. 

Aqsa Qaddus Tahir
Aqsa Qaddus Tahir is a reporter dedicated to science coverage, exploring breakthroughs, emerging research, and innovation. Her work centres on making scientific developments understandable and relevant, presenting well-researched stories that connect complex ideas with everyday life in a clear, engaging, and informative manner.
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