Sheriff Reveals Personal Tragedy Amid Nancy Guthrie Investigation

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos opens up about his brother's death as he defends his team and the Guthrie family from criticism.

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos, who has been leading the investigation into the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, revealed that his own brother died the day after Nancy went missing. Nanos has faced intense scrutiny and criticism over the handling of the case, but he has defended his team and the Guthrie family, disputing claims that he blocked the FBI from accessing evidence. The sheriff urged the media to report responsibly and avoid spreading nasty rumors about the Guthrie family.

Why it matters

The revelation of Sheriff Nanos' personal tragedy adds another heartbreaking layer to the already devastating Nancy Guthrie case. As the public face of the investigation, Nanos' ability to remain focused and composed while dealing with his own loss underscores the immense pressure and scrutiny he has faced. His defense of his team and the Guthrie family highlights the importance of responsible reporting and the need to avoid unfounded speculation, especially in high-profile criminal cases.

The details

During a February 2026 interview with the Daily Mail, Sheriff Chris Nanos shared that the day after Nancy Guthrie was reported missing, his own brother, who was in hospice, passed away. Nanos has been the public face of the investigation, repeatedly speaking to the press to provide updates and dispel rumors. He has faced intense criticism and scrutiny over the handling of the case, with some reports even claiming he blocked the FBI from accessing evidence. Nanos strongly disputed these allegations, saying, "That's just so far-fetched. Why would I do that? It makes no sense." He also defended his team's work, stating that his officers had thoroughly searched the crime scene at Nancy Guthrie's home for almost 20 hours before the FBI arrived to conduct their own investigation.

  • On the day after Nancy Guthrie was reported missing, Sheriff Chris Nanos' brother passed away while in hospice care.
  • Sheriff Nanos spoke to the Daily Mail in February 2026 about the criticism he has faced and the personal tragedy he has been dealing with during the investigation.

The players

Chris Nanos

The Pima County Sheriff who has been leading the investigation into the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie.

Nancy Guthrie

The mother of NBC's Savannah Guthrie who went missing and is the subject of the ongoing investigation.

Savannah Guthrie

The NBC news anchor whose mother, Nancy Guthrie, went missing and is the subject of the ongoing investigation.

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What they’re saying

“People out there can get pretty ugly and mean and nasty and not have the facts. I tell my journalists, you guys need to be a little more responsible... because that's just really nasty stuff.”

— Chris Nanos, Pima County Sheriff (Daily Mail)

“That's just so far-fetched. Why would I do that? It makes no sense.”

— Chris Nanos, Pima County Sheriff (Daily Mail)

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 the immense personal toll that high-profile criminal investigations can take on law enforcement officials, even as they work tirelessly to solve the case and defend their team's work from public criticism. Sheriff Nanos' openness about his own loss underscores the need for compassion and responsible reporting, especially when dealing with such a tragic and sensitive situation.