Outraged local officials have indicated that the sheriff leading the search for Nancy Guthrie, the missing mother of NBC Today Show host Savannah Guthrie, could be removed from office within days. Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos, aged 70, has faced intense criticism for his handling of the investigation into the abduction of the 84-year-old woman from her $1 million home in Tucson, Arizona, on February 1. There have been no arrests or named suspects in the three months since the incident.
Human Bones Found, But Not Connected
On Thursday, law enforcement officers were seen searching an area where a live streamer reported discovering what appeared to be bones near Nancy's residence. However, police later confirmed that the human remains were prehistoric and unrelated to the missing grandmother.
Allegations Against Sheriff Nanos
In the aftermath of the bungled investigation, Nanos has been accused of workplace retaliation and lying about his employment history. The Pima County Board of Supervisors voted on March 24 to require Nanos to submit a sworn statement addressing these concerns, as per public records. However, two supervisors leading the charge told Fox News that Nanos failed to meet the deadline, and they now plan to move to vacate his office at a meeting next week.
Democrat Dr. Matt Heinz, a Pima County Board of Supervisors member, stated, "This is accountability for a guy who has evaded accountability for decades and is himself a public safety threat." Heinz is collaborating with the board's only Republican, Supervisor Steve Christy, to secure enough votes to force Nanos to vacate. Christy emphasized that the timeline for Nanos to provide the sworn statement has passed, saying, "There's no going back. It's too late for that."
Next Steps: Resignation or Legal Action
If the board does not secure enough votes to vacate, they hope to achieve a unanimous vote to request the state attorney general investigate perjury allegations against Nanos. Should Nanos be convicted of perjury, he would be compelled to step down, according to Heinz. The Daily Mail has contacted Nanos's office for comment.
Employment History Controversy
Nanos has been accused of falsifying his previous work experience when moving to Pima County, as reported by The Arizona Republic. His resume claimed he worked at the El Paso Police Department until 1984, but records obtained by the newspaper indicate he left in 1982 following a series of suspensions. Furthermore, in a December 2025 deposition, Nanos testified that he had never been suspended at work, contradicting the newly uncovered records.
The Pima County Deputy's Organization, the sheriff's department labor union, stated that Nanos allegedly lied about why he left the El Paso Police Department when applying for work in Pima County. The union posted on Facebook, "A FOIA of his personnel file shows he did not disclose that he resigned in lieu of termination, listing 'personal reasons and better paying job' instead. Lying on your application would prohibit anyone from being hired."
Retaliation Accusations
Additionally, Nanos has been accused of retaliating against a political rival who was also running for sheriff by placing her on paid administrative leave for political gain.
