Ashleigh Banfield Alleges Sheriff Hid Suspect Details in Nancy Guthrie Disappearance

TV journalist claims Arizona sheriff withheld key information from public about Savannah Guthrie's missing mother case

Mar. 16, 2026 at 3:37pm

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US television journalist Ashleigh Banfield has accused Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos of keeping vital information from the public in the disappearance of Savannah Guthrie's mother, Nancy Guthrie, claiming investigators 'knew from day one' what the suspected abductor planned to do when Nancy vanished in Tucson, Arizona.

Why it matters

Banfield's allegations, if true, would raise serious questions about the transparency and handling of the high-profile missing persons case involving the mother of a prominent TV news anchor. The sheriff's recent public comments also seem to contradict Banfield's claims, further complicating the narrative around the investigation.

The details

According to Banfield, Sheriff Nanos' office had a clear working theory almost immediately after Nancy Guthrie's disappearance on January 31, yet failed to share key details with the public. Banfield claimed her source told her 'we've known since day one what [the suspect] was going to do or what he had planned to do.' She directly challenged Nanos, asking why he had towed the brother-in-law's car, searched their house, and called off the search for Nancy, while telling the public 'there was nothing to worry about.' Nanos has since warned the public that Nancy's possible abductor 'could strike again,' contradicting his earlier assurances.

  • Nancy Guthrie was last seen on January 31 after being dropped off at her Tucson home.
  • On February 10, the FBI circulated surveillance footage that appeared to show a masked man standing at Guthrie's doorstep on the night she vanished.
  • In a March 13 interview, Sheriff Nanos said the department had 'some strong beliefs about what happened' from 'day one.'

The players

Ashleigh Banfield

A US television journalist who has accused Sheriff Nanos of withholding information in the Nancy Guthrie disappearance case.

Sheriff Chris Nanos

The Pima County Sheriff who Banfield claims has kept key details from the public about the investigation into Nancy Guthrie's disappearance.

Nancy Guthrie

The mother of Today show host Savannah Guthrie, who went missing from her Tucson home on January 31.

Savannah Guthrie

The host of the Today show and daughter of Nancy Guthrie, who is said to be 'livid' over Banfield's suggestions about her family members.

Tommaso Cioni

Nancy Guthrie's son-in-law, who was initially described as a 'suspect' by Banfield but has since been cleared by investigators.

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What they’re saying

“We've known since day one what [the suspect] was going to do or what he had planned to do.”

— Ashleigh Banfield, TV Journalist (ibtimes.co.uk)

“We believe we know why he did this, and we believe that it was targeted, but we're not 100 percent sure of that, so it'd be silly to tell people, 'Yeah, don't worry about it. You're not his target.'”

— Sheriff Chris Nanos (NBC News)

“Don't think for a moment because it happened to the Guthrie family you're safe. Keep your wits about you.”

— Sheriff Chris Nanos (NBC News)

What’s next

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

The takeaway

Banfield's allegations, if true, would raise serious concerns about the transparency and handling of this high-profile missing persons case by local authorities. The conflicting public statements from the sheriff only add to the confusion and uncertainty surrounding the investigation into Nancy Guthrie's disappearance.