Nancy Guthrie Case Mishandled? Insider Makes Sensational Claims About 'Investigative Errors'

The Pima County Sheriff was already facing criticism for his handling of the Nancy Guthrie case, and now his team members are also under fire for their apparent lack of experience. Sources cited by investigative journalist Brian Entin have claimed that the Pima County Sheriff’s team that initially handled the investigation into Guthrie’s disappearance was inexperienced.

According to the anonymous law enforcement source, the investigative team was not trained to handle homicide cases. The insider further alleged that even the supervisor assigned to the team had previously never worked on a homicide case.

“From what I understand, the people who were there on the scene were not tenured homicide detectives. They didn’t have a lot of experience in homicide at that point, to include the supervisor who, from my understanding, never investigated a homicide before being installed as the supervisor for the homicide unit,” the source said.

The insider added that the inexperience led to mistakes early in the investigation. As a result, Nancy Guthrie remains untraceable for more than two months after she was taken from her home. Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos earlier acknowledged that the team made mistakes during the investigation, including leaving the crime scene too early.

However, he later backtracked on the statement, saying he would not have done anything differently. A few days ago, Nanos told Arizona radio station KVOIA AM that he was not leading the Nancy Guthrie investigation. He said that a team of very qualified detectives was working on the case, and his job is only to protect and support them.

“You started off today [saying] that I’m the lead investigator on this case. But I hope that the community, the public, understands that I am not the lead investigator at all on this case,” he said at the time.

As the Pima County Sheriff’s Department awaits a breakthrough in the case, some members of the public are calling for Nanos’ removal from the case. Some even want him to resign from his post. With the revelation that his initial team was inexperienced, the outrage may only grow.

A police union in Pima County has already initiated a recall petition against Nanos, citing his objectionable disciplinary history. Over 300 deputies of the Pima County Deputies Organization signed a no-confidence motion against Nanos on March 24, calling for his resignation.

In response, Nanos said in a statement to KOLD, “We’re aware of the recall, and it’s the right of the people. We’ll always honor the will of the people, and that’s what makes democracy.”

Meanwhile, the investigation into Guthrie’s disappearance has entered its third month without any arrests. Despite obtaining footage of a masked man tampering with a doorbell camera outside the woman’s home, the police have not been able to identify him.

Experts have also warned that there could be two to four kidnappers involved in the crime. Though the family received ransom notes early in the investigation, the kidnappers have not come forward with proof of life, leaving Guthrie’s loved ones and well-wishers worried.