Arizona Sheriff Disputes Claim He's Blocking FBI From Key Evidence in Nancy Guthrie Case

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos says he has been cooperating with the FBI investigation into the disappearance of Today show co-host Savannah Guthrie's mother.

Feb. 13, 2026 at 2:15pm

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Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos is pushing back on a claim that he withheld essential physical evidence from the FBI in the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie. Nanos insists he has been cooperating with the bureau and says he recently discussed sending all evidence, including a glove and DNA found at the crime scene, to a private lab in Florida where all the DNA profiles and markers exist. The sheriff also said gloves found by the FBI this week may not be as important as several others found near the Catalina Foothills home of Savannah Guthrie's mother.

Why it matters

The controversy highlights potential tensions between local law enforcement and the FBI in high-profile missing persons cases, with the sheriff maintaining jurisdiction but the FBI offering significant resources and expertise. The investigation has also faced criticism over the sheriff's early handling of the case, including releasing the crime scene after just one day.

The details

Sheriff Nanos told a local news station that the FBI just wanted to send the one or two gloves found closest to the crime scene, but he insisted they send all the evidence to the Florida lab. He also said the FBI official told him during a meeting that 'we do not want the media to divide us.' Nanos said the gloves found by the FBI this week may not be as important as several others found near Savannah Guthrie's mother's home.

  • Nancy Guthrie was last seen at her Tucson home on Jan. 31, 2026.
  • The disappearance has been ongoing for nearly 13 days as of Feb. 13, 2026.

The players

Chris Nanos

The elected Pima County Sheriff, a second-term Democrat, who is overseeing the investigation into Nancy Guthrie's disappearance.

Nancy Guthrie

The 84-year-old mother of Today show co-host Savannah Guthrie, who went missing from her Tucson home on Jan. 31, 2026.

Savannah Guthrie

The co-host of the Today show, whose mother Nancy Guthrie went missing from her Tucson home on Jan. 31, 2026.

FBI

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, which is assisting the local sheriff's office in the investigation into Nancy Guthrie's disappearance.

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What they’re saying

“Not even close to the truth.”

— Chris Nanos, Pima County Sheriff (KVOA)

“Actually, the FBI just wanted to send the one or two they found by the crime scene, closest to it — mile, mile and a half … I said 'No, why do that? Let's just send them all to where all the DNA exist, all the profiles and the markers exist.' They agreed, makes sense.”

— Chris Nanos, Pima County Sheriff (KVOA)

“we do not want the media to divide us.”

— FBI Official (KOLD)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.