FBI Reveals Important Dates in Nancy Guthrie Disappearance Amid Sheriff Recall Efforts
The FBI has made notable strides in the investigation into Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance, focusing on two significant dates preceding her vanishing on January 31 in Arizona. This comes while Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos is facing a recall campaign, with critics pointing to his inconsistent messaging and waning public trust in the investigation process. Former NYPD Lieutenant Paul Mauro comments on how these missteps can impact cases of missing persons that attract considerable attention.
An attorney representing Sheriff Nanos, who has been heading the ongoing search for the missing 84-year-old, addressed various local leaders’ concerns regarding police leadership. Through his attorney, Nanos admitted he had resigned from the El Paso Police Department back in 1982 to escape a three-day suspension for insubordination, defending discrepancies in his statements concerning his disciplinary record.
On April 7, the Pima County Board of Supervisors mandated that Nanos respond to queries after allegations of perjury arisen from a deposition linked to a lawsuit filed against him by Sergeant John Johnson, the president of the Pima County Legislators Association.
Nanos swore, under oath, that he had never faced suspension due to disciplinary actions during his time as a law enforcement officer.
Possible Tattoos Observed in Nancy Guthrie Video May Help Identify Subject, Suggests Former Profiler
A letter from Nanos’ attorney on April 21 stated that he misunderstood the questions asked regarding his history. Nanos clarified that he has never been suspended by the Pima County Sheriff’s Department, where he began his career in 1984. Yet, Kuhl acknowledged Nanos had received multiple suspensions during his earlier employment with the El Paso Police Department, as he resigned in 1982 to avoid further issues.
“It is 100% correct that Sheriff Nanos was never suspended during his 40 years of decorated and loyal service to the Pima County Sheriff’s Department,” Kuhl wrote, emphasizing that Nanos simply misunderstood the context of the previous questions about his disciplinary background at another agency.
Nanos’ defense team has alleged that Aaron Cross, along with Nanos’ recent election opponent, Heather Lappin, have engaged in “continued instances of misconduct.” Cross, in response, labeled Kuhl’s assertions as lies, questioning the necessity of a sworn statement.
On April 7, the board decided that Nanos must field questions “under oath.”
Commission members have raised concerns regarding whether Nanos may have inappropriately used his authority to influence the election or target Lappin during the investigation.
Kuhl included in his communication a memo from the Department of Justice, informing County Commissioner Jean Lescher that a former federal prosecutor had determined there was “no federal basis” for a criminal investigation concerning election allegations.
“There will be no more responses beyond what was said in December 2024,” stated Timothy Cochaine, the current U.S. Attorney for Arizona.
Kuhl defended Nanos’ management of the sheriff’s department budget, argued that sheriffs aren’t obligated to respond to all queries publicly, and downplayed fears of retaliation against Cross and Lappin, both of whom have pending lawsuits.
Kuhl provided a copy of Nanos’ 1984 resume, which amusingly listed hobbies like boxing, fishing, billiards, crosswords, and gymnastics. After leaving El Paso’s police force, Nanos briefly worked in sales and security before joining the Pima County Sheriff’s Department as a correctional officer in 1984.
Guthrie is believed to have been abducted from her home in Catalina Foothills near Tucson in the early hours of February 1. Surveillance footage captured a masked intruder, and her back door was discovered ajar the following morning. Her current location remains unknown.
She is the mother of Savannah Guthrie, co-host of the Today show, who is offering a $1 million reward for information leading to her mother’s recovery.
