Sheriff Chris Nanos was spotted at a basketball game while searching for Nancy Guthrie
Fox News Digital obtained photos of Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos, who faces increasing scrutiny as investigation unfolds Nancy GuthrieJames continues to disappear while attending a game between the University of Arizona and Oklahoma State. Early Sunday morning marks one week since Guthrie, 84, disappeared from her home in suburban Tucson.
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos is seen at a basketball game on Saturday, February 7, 2026. (Obtained by Fox News Digital)
The source of the photos, who requested to remain anonymous, criticized Nanos for attending the match while the search was ongoing.
The source said: “I think it was not a good move. The whole thing is very new and nationwide, and probably worldwide.” “I don’t think it was a good thing for him to do that. He’s a major part of the investigation, so it didn’t look good to me. It’s very sad to see him at the Arizona basketball game.”
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos is seen at a basketball game on Saturday, February 7, 2026. (Obtained by Fox News Digital)
Just minutes after the game ended, Savannah Guthrie and her siblings Annie and Camron shared a third message on the NBC star’s Instagram page, demanding a potential ransom call to contact them.
“We received your message and we understand,” Savannah Guthrie said, sitting between her brother and sister. “We are now asking you to return our mother to us so we can celebrate with her.” “This is the only way we will achieve peace. This is of great value to us, and we will pay the price.”
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos is seen at a basketball game on Saturday, February 7, 2026. (Obtained by Fox News Digital)
On Friday, a second alleged statement from the alleged kidnappers was sent to 13 News in Tucson. Details of the contents of the statement were not published, but the letter did not provide proof of life.
Nanos has been shot Twice in recent days for his handling of the investigation.
Fox News Digital learned Friday that an important aspect of the investigation has been delayed due to Nanos’ dispute with the pilot of the Sheriff’s Department’s high-tech search plane. The pilot was demoted to street patrol after the dispute.
Savannah Guthrie released a new video on Instagram as she pleads with her mother’s kidnappers. (Savannah Guthrie/Instagram)
Accordingly, the plane’s take-off was delayed for three hours after the investigation began.
“Three hours searching for a vulnerable adult is an eternity,” a law enforcement source familiar with the situation told Fox News Digital.
The Pima County Deputies Organization said it disagreed with the decision to transfer the “high-performing airman” at the time because it left an important law enforcement asset understaffed.
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos speaks to the media in Catalina, Arizona, on February 3, while answering questions about the search for Nancy Guthrie. (Jan Sonnenmeier/Getty Images)
A 41-minute timeline in the Nancy Guthrie case raises red flags for the former homicide detective
“The pilot made a personal appeal to Sheriff Nanos but was ignored and sent on patrol,” a union official told Fox Digital. “This is unfortunately typical of Sheriff Nanos’ leadership style. The department’s most experienced search and rescue deputy was transferred to Patrol late last year, without a replacement, simply because he had been there too long.” This resulted in critical unit staff shortages during one of the highest profile searches in PCSD history and during the busiest time of the year for search and rescue.”
Nanos also admitted in an interview on Friday with Arizona Republic Who made it Other early mistakes In the investigation.
He said his department released Guthrie’s home as a crime scene too early, only to kill him Come back in a few days To recover additional evidence. Nanos admitted that the scene should have remained secured longer and that other agencies could have been called in earlier.
FBI agents search homes near Nancy Guthrie’s home in Tucson, Friday, February 6, 2026. Guthrie was last seen Saturday night as the investigation into her disappearance continues. (Kat Ramirez for Fox News Digital)
He received Harsh criticism on X From those following the investigation he was called a “bumbling idiot” and a “total embarrassment”.
It was Nanos A Law enforcement official For half a century, he began his career with the El Paso Police Department in Texas in 1976.
In 1984, he became a Pima County correctional officer, and the following year was promoted to deputy.
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In the 30 years that followed, he focused on violent crimes, sex crimes and drug prevention as he rose through the ranks of the department. He became head of the ministry’s investigation office in 2012, and in 2014 he became chief deputy.
Aerial drone footage of missing Nancy Guthrie’s home on Tuesday, February 3, 2026 in Tucson, Arizona. Nancy Guthrie, the mother of “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie, is suspected of being kidnapped from her home earlier this week. (Fox Flight Team)
The following year, he was appointed sheriff, but lost the 2016 election to retain the position. He ran again in 2020, winning narrowly.
His 2024 re-election bid, which he won by just 481 votes, was marred by scandal.
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In the weeks leading up to that election, Nanos It is said His opponent placed Lapine, a lieutenant at the Pima County Jail, on administrative leave, ordering her not to discuss the reasons for his decision. He did the same thing to Sgt. Aaron Cross, an outspoken opponent of Nanos and president of the Pima County Deputies Organization.
Cross reportedly campaigned against Nanos, holding a sign on a street corner reading “MPs don’t want Nanos”, just before he was put on leave. Nanos claimed that Cross campaigned against him while wearing a Pima County sheriff’s uniform in violation of department rules, which Cross denied. He crosses Submitted later A federal lawsuit filed against Nanos, claiming the sheriff violated his First Amendment rights.
Neighbors of Nancy Guthrie, daughter of “Today” host Savannah Guthrie, show their support for the family in metro Tucson, Arizona, on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, as the search continues to find Nancy who was reported missing. (Sejal Govindrao/AP Photo)
So nano It is said He faced a criminal investigation into election interference over the matter.
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The sheriff has too I faced the heat For his handling of an internal investigation into a sexual assault of a female deputy by a supervisor in 2022.
Fox News’ Stephenie Price contributed to this report.
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