New Twist in Nancy Guthrie Investigation as Sheriff's Blunt Two-Word Response Silences Critics

Despite no breakthrough in the Nancy Guthrie case after about eight weeks of investigation, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos says said he would not have done anything differently to achieve better results.

Nanos has been probing the case ever since Nancy Guthrie went missing from her home in Catalina Foothills on February 1. Since the woman remains untraceable and the suspect remains at large, Nanos has come under increased scrutiny.

Several people have questioned his investigative abilities and raised concerns about how he has handled the case. A section of the public has also demanded his removal from the case.

Amid the outrage, Nanos was asked whether he could have handled the investigation better. The sheriff then gave a two-word response. In a recent interview with Arizona radio station KVOIA AM, Nanos stated that he would have done ‘nothing different.’

During the conversation, Nanos also pointed out that he is not the lead investigator in the case but is managing a team of very capable detectives. “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.

Nanos added that he is in charge of the department handling the investigation and that a team of ‘very qualified’ individuals is probing the case. “My role is to protect them and support them,” he said, adding that his years of conducting investigations are behind him.

The comments contrast with Nanos’ earlier statement, in which he acknowledged that he may have left the crime scene, i.e., Nancy Guthrie's home, too quickly. During a press conference on February 11, the sheriff admitted that investigators should have waited longer before relinquishing the property.

Meanwhile, Nanos’ troubles are mounting as a police union has filed a no-confidence motion against him. The Pima County Deputy’s Organization (PCDO) has urged the sheriff to resign, citing his ‘extensive disciplinary history.’

The organization said Nanos did not disclose his disciplinary history for 40 years. He was reportedly suspended eight times during his time with the El Paso Police Department between 1976 and 1982. The suspensions stemmed from accusations of illegal gambling, habitual tardiness, and excessive force.

“This action follows recent revelations about Nanos’ extensive disciplinary history with the El Paso Police Department, that he apparently failed to disclose to the department and the public for over 40 years,” PCDO said in a statement.

Though the organization has not cited mishandling of the Nancy Guthrie investigation as the reason for the motion, Nanos has come under fire following the case. Earlier in March, Republican politician Daniel Butierez started a recall campaign against Nanos.

“[Nanos] has been an embarrassment to Tucson and to Pima County with this Nancy Guthrie case. Everyone’s pretty disgusted, Democrats and Republicans. Together, we can restore integrity in Pima County. We need leaders who are honest and transparent,” Butierez said in a statement.