Nancy Guthrie Update Today: Sheriff Under Fire Amid 'Cover-Up' Allegations Over Volunteer Search Restrictions

The search for 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie has entered its fourth week amid growing contention between local law enforcement and volunteer search parties. Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos has requested that private groups 'give investigators space' and cease independent canvassing in certain areas. This request, issued on 22 February 2026, has led to allegations from some residents that the department is attempting to limit public oversight.

The friction intensified on 23 February after volunteer groups reported finding several significant items within a mile of the Guthrie home. These included a black jacket and a backpack equipped with reflectors found in local culverts. A black glove was also discovered on a nearby exit road. The Pima County Sheriff's Department (PCSD) has since collected these items for forensic processing.

Mrs Guthrie, the mother of NBC news anchor Savannah Guthrie, was abducted from her home in Arizona on 1 February. While the reward for her safe return has been increased to $200,000 (£154,000), the investigation has been hampered by reported procedural disagreements. The Sheriff's Department maintains that the restrictions on volunteers are necessary to preserve the integrity of the crime scene and potential evidence.

Procedural Disputes and Forensic Challenges

An unidentified source told Reuters that significant disagreements have occurred between Sheriff Nanos and the FBI regarding the handling of forensic evidence. Public record requests indicate that the Sheriff's Department opted to send a glove previously found at the scene to a private laboratory in Florida. This decision bypassed the FBI's national laboratory in Quantico, which is the standard facility for federal kidnapping cases.

On 21 February, Sheriff Nanos told NBC News that DNA recovered from the Guthrie home is 'mixed' and contains genetic material from multiple individuals. He stated that technical limitations at the private laboratory could mean the analysis takes a considerable amount of time to resolve. Mark Lamb, a former Sheriff, is among those who have publicly questioned the efficacy of this forensic strategy.

Sheriff Nanos has dismissed suggestions of a 'cover-up' as speculation. He maintains that his department is working in coordination with federal partners. Despite these assurances, the decision to use a private laboratory remains a central point of the public debate regarding the department's competence in managing a high-profile abduction.

FBI Search Tactics and Conflicting Statements

A significant shift in the investigation occurred as authorities began cross-referencing the suspect's description with local missing persons reports. According to reports from local business owners, FBI agents have been circulating photographic packets containing approximately 20 names and images. These images were reportedly sourced from social media and driver's license databases.

However, Sheriff Nanos has continued to strike a more cautious tone. He has contradicted reports of a definitive 'suspect list' and maintains that the department is still in the preliminary phase of reviewing local missing persons. This lack of a unified message between the Bureau and the Sheriff's Department has only intensified public scrutiny of the investigation's leadership.

Family Appeals and Reward Surges

The Guthrie family has continued to make public appeals for Nancy's return. Savannah Guthrie recently shared a statement on social media expressing her belief that her mother is still alive. The total reward for information has reached $200,000 (about £147,000) following an anonymous donation of $100,000 (around £74,000).

The search for Nancy Guthrie remains one of the most significant active kidnapping cases in the United States. As Sheriff Nanos manages the administrative and social pressures of the investigation, the window for a successful recovery continues to diminish. For the volunteers told to stand down, the focus remains on whether the current police strategy will result in a breakthrough.