Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos has been ordered to submit a sworn statement addressing concerns about his past employment history, as local officials scrutinize his handling of the Nancy Guthrie abduction case. The Pima County Board of Supervisors voted on March 24 to require Nanos to address allegations of workplace retaliation and misstated employment records, which could potentially lead to his removal from office.
Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of NBC Today Show host Savannah Guthrie, was abducted from her Tucson, Arizona, home on February 1. Despite a multiagency search effort, no arrests or suspects have been named in the two months since her disappearance. The case has drawn national attention, with Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos stating that clues at the scene suggest kidnapping.
Sheriff’s Past Under Review
The Pima County Board of Supervisors voted to require Sheriff Nanos to address concerns about his employment history, citing a report by The Arizona Republic that found discrepancies in his resume. Nanos claimed he worked in the El Paso Police Department until 1984, but records show he left the department in 1982 after multiple suspensions. Additionally, in a December 2025 deposition, Nanos testified he had never been suspended at work, contradicting the newly uncovered records.
Pima County Supervisor Matt Heinz expressed concern over Nanos' transparency, stating, 'I was disturbed by, saddened by, the sheriff apparently, when moving from El Paso, Texas, to Pima County, was not completely straightforward with the process.'
Ex-FBI Agent Weighs In on Case
Retired FBI agent Jennifer Coffindaffer has publicly refuted speculation that Nancy Guthrie’s abduction was a case of matricide, listing 10 reasons why she believes the family is not involved. Coffindaffer, who worked in federal law enforcement for 28 years, cited statistical data showing that matricide accounts for less than 1% of all homicides and even less for abductions. She also noted that Guthrie was clearly loved by her 'heartbroken' family, further dismissing the theory.
Coffindaffer addressed the online speculation in her podcast, Break the Case, stating, 'Such a high number of people are still wanting to blame the different children for different reasons.' She emphasized that the case should be treated as a kidnapping, given the lack of evidence pointing to family involvement.
Ongoing Investigation
The search for Nancy Guthrie remains active, with the Pima County Sheriff’s Department and FBI continuing to investigate the case. The urgency of the situation is underscored by Guthrie’s need for daily medication, which is critical for her health. Authorities have not yet identified any suspects or provided updates on potential leads.
The case has raised questions about the effectiveness of the investigation and the sheriff’s leadership, with critics calling for greater transparency and accountability in the handling of the case.