Sheriff Defends Handling of Nancy Guthrie Case as Family Pleads for Help

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos says he has 'no regrets' about investigation as case nears two months unsolved.

Mar. 24, 2026 at 4:52am

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As the search for 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie nears two months, the sheriff leading the investigation is defending his department's handling of the case, even as her family pleads for renewed attention and the public's help to find her.

Why it matters

The disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the mother of 'Today' co-host Savannah Guthrie, has gripped the Tucson community, with neighbors and strangers rallying to support the family and aid the investigation. The sheriff's comments have raised concerns about the handling of the case, which remains unsolved.

The details

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos told News 4 Tucson that he has 'no regrets' about decisions made early in the investigation, even as the case remains unsolved. Authorities have released doorbell camera images showing a masked suspect outside Guthrie's home the night she vanished, and they continue to rely on digital evidence, but have not announced any arrests. Guthrie's family is urging the public to review any information that could help break the case, saying 'someone knows something' and that 'a member of this community has information that they do not even realize is significant.'

  • Nancy Guthrie disappeared the night of Jan. 31 after returning home from dinner with family and was reported missing Feb. 1.
  • Authorities released doorbell camera images showing a masked suspect outside Guthrie's home on the night she vanished.
  • The family pointed to several critical timelines, including the evening of Jan. 31, the early morning hours of Feb. 1 and the late evening of Jan. 11, suggesting previously released video of a masked man at Guthrie's doorstep weeks before her disappearance could be significant.

The players

Chris Nanos

The Pima County Sheriff leading the investigation into Nancy Guthrie's disappearance.

Nancy Guthrie

An 84-year-old woman who disappeared from her home in Tucson, Arizona on January 31, 2026.

Savannah Guthrie

The daughter of Nancy Guthrie and co-host of the 'Today' show.

Jacqueline Sharkey

A former University of Arizona professor who worked with Nancy Guthrie for decades and described her as 'this quiet leader who was so effective without ever working at it.'

Dave Cuillier

A colleague of Nancy Guthrie who worked with her on the journalism school's advisory council and called her 'a huge champion of journalism and the University of Arizona.'

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What they’re saying

“Just give her up. Let her go. Take her to a clinic, a hospital. Drop her off. Just let her go.”

— Chris Nanos, Pima County Sheriff

“We desperately ask this community for renewed attention to our mom's case. Please consult camera footage, journal notes, text messages, observations, or conversations that in retrospect may hold significance.”

— Savannah Guthrie's family

“Someone knows something. It's possible a member of this community has information that they do not even realize is significant.”

— Savannah Guthrie's family

“She had a quiet power.”

— Dave Cuillier, Colleague of Nancy Guthrie

“Whenever you have that kind of pain hit, it affects you because you can feel it in your own community and your own heart.”

— Ray Flores, President of Flores Concepts

What’s next

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

The takeaway

This case highlights the deep impact Nancy Guthrie's disappearance has had on the Tucson community, with neighbors and strangers rallying to support the family and aid the investigation. The sheriff's comments have raised concerns about the handling of the case, which remains unsolved after nearly two months, underscoring the need for transparency and a renewed focus on finding answers for the Guthrie family.