Nancy Guthrie remains missing nearly six months after she disappeared from her home near Tucson, Arizona. Now, the Nancy Guthrie investigation is facing renewed scrutiny over how Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos reportedly responded to a journalist seeking information early in the case.
The sheriff is facing backlash over his response to questions about the Nancy Guthrie investigation
Journalist Briana Whitney described the exchange during a July 22 special episode of the “Crime Junkie” podcast. Whitney said her team contacted Nanos at 9:50 p.m., only days after Guthrie disappeared, to clarify conflicting information about where investigators were sending DNA evidence.
Arizona stations were preparing for their standard 10 p.m. newscasts, Whitney explained. Instead of answering the question, Nanos allegedly replied, “Did you happen to notice the time? Give it a rest.”
Whitney called the message “snarky” and argued that a simple yes-or-no response would have taken less effort. The account became public months later, so it does not represent a new development in the evidence or search for Savannah Guthrie’s mom.
Still, the remark has added to criticism surrounding the sheriff’s public handling of the case. The Associated Press reported in February that Nanos acknowledged investigators may have released Guthrie’s home to her family too soon. Authorities later secured the property again after journalists photographed blood droplets near the front door.
Nanos also faced criticism from FBI Director Kash Patel, who claimed federal investigators did not receive access quickly enough. The sheriff’s department disputed that account and said an FBI task force member was present during the investigation’s first night. Nanos said the department remained committed to a coordinated, fact-based inquiry.
Guthrie, 84, was last seen Jan. 31 and reported missing Feb. 1. Authorities believe someone took her from her home, but they have not publicly identified a suspect or announced an arrest.
Recent coverage has focused on details from an alleged first ransom note, a warning about fundraising scams tied to the case and questions about Nanos’ past disciplinary record. Authorities have not confirmed that the reported ransom communications are authentic.
The “Crime Junkie” discussion has brought new attention to the Nancy Guthrie sheriff controversy, not a confirmed break in the Nancy Guthrie missing case. Nanos had not publicly responded to Whitney’s account when the latest reports appeared.
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Originally reported by Misbah Pandith on Reality Tea
