ADVERTISEMENT
Pima County Sheriff Made Massive Mistake in First Hours of Nancy Guthrie Search: Report
The disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, 84‑year‑old mother of Today show co‑anchor Savannah Guthrie, has captivated the nation. What began as a routine concern after she missed church quickly evolved into an intense missing‑person and potential abduction investigation outside Tucson, Arizona. Amid the ongoing search involving multiple law enforcement agencies, criticism has emerged around critical decisions made in the first hours—particularly by the Pima County Sheriff’s Office under Sheriff Chris Nanos.
The Initial Response: Why Timing Matters
On February 1, 2026, Nancy Guthrie was reported missing by her family. She was last seen by relatives the night before, and concerns quickly grew due to her limited mobility and need for daily medication. Investigators later found her home scene “very concerning” and blood matching her DNA on the porch, strongly suggesting foul play.
In any missing‑person case—especially one involving an elderly individual with health concerns—time is critical. The first several hours can provide the best chance to locate someone alive, especially when they may be disoriented, injured, or incapacitated.
The Reported Mistake: Delayed Use of Critical Aerial Resources
According to multiple reports, a key lapse in the early search allegedly occurred because the Sheriff’s Office failed to deploy its most capable aerial asset immediately. A specialized Cessna aircraft equipped with high‑resolution thermal imaging (known internally as “Survey 1”) was reportedly available but was not launched until hours into the search, limiting the ability to quickly scan wide areas where Guthrie might have been.
Instead, law enforcement initially deployed a less‑equipped helicopter that did not have the same advanced imaging capabilities. Sources familiar with the search suggest this delay may have been due to staffing shortages and unit reassignments—including the transfer of trained aircraft pilots prior to the incident—leaving the department without enough personnel to deploy its top asset right away.
Critics, including current and former department members, argue that the loss of those early hours of aerial surveillance may have reduced the chance of finding Guthrie or critical evidence in the immediate aftermath of her disappearance.
ADVERTISEMENT
