Sheriff Leading Search for Savannah Guthrie’s Mom Nancy Says He’s Frustrated by ‘Unsubstantiated’ Theories

As authorities enter the third week of the search for Savannah Guthrie’s mother, Nancy Guthrie, new details are emerging about the early days of the investigation.

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos, who has been leading much of the public-facing response, said in a recent interview that he became frustrated by online speculation after Nancy was reported missing on Sunday, Feb. 1.

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

Authorities have repeatedly said no one has been officially cleared, but Nanos noted that the Guthrie family has been cooperative throughout the investigation.

“I stay in touch with them, mostly Savannah,” Nanos said. “I’ve not been in touch with [son-in-law] Tommaso [Cioni] or Annie [Guthrie] too much.”

He added that the family has been “nothing but cooperative.”

“Everything we’ve asked for, they’ve given us,” Nanos said. “They’re in such a state of grief. But they’re also, you know, I think they’re a little weary too, of what’s been going on and being said about them.”

After the FBI released recovered surveillance footage from Nancy’s Nest doorbell camera—showing an armed, masked individual approaching her front door and tampering with the device—police activity increased in the area. Multiple people have been detained as searches were carried out in nearby homes.

Investigators also recovered a glove close to Nancy’s home in Tucson, Arizona, and it is being DNA tested for potential ties to the case. Authorities believe it may match one of the gloves worn by the person seen in the surveillance video.

In a separate interview over the weekend, Nanos indicated the search could continue for a long time if necessary.

“Maybe it’s an hour from now,” he said. “Maybe it’s weeks or months or years from now. But we won’t quit. We’re going to find Nancy. We’re going to find this guy.”

Nancy was last seen alive on Saturday, Jan. 31 after having dinner with family. She was reported missing the following day, Sunday, Feb. 1, when she did not attend a virtual church service.

Savannah, who has remained in Arizona during the search, shared a video message on Sunday, Feb. 15, saying she still has hope her mother will be found.

“I wanted to say to whoever has her or knows where she is that it’s never too late,” Savannah said. “And you’re not lost or alone. And it is never too late to do the right thing. And we are here. And we believe. And we believe in the essential goodness of every human being.”

The FBI is offering a $100,000 reward for information leading to Nancy’s recovery or an arrest in the case.