The sheriff of Pima County has forcefully denied accusations that his office is blocking federal agents from accessing critical evidence in the ongoing investigation into the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, an elderly woman who vanished from her home near Tucson earlier this month.
Sheriff Chris Nanos addressed the allegations in a public statement, asserting that his department has cooperated fully with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and other agencies involved in the case. He confirmed that all evidence collected by local law enforcement — including surveillance footage and physical items recovered near Guthrie’s residence — has been shared with federal counterparts as the investigation continues.
Nanos dismissed claims circulating on social media and in some online reports suggesting that his office was intentionally hindering the FBI’s efforts, calling such assertions “categorically false” and harmful to the collaborative investigative process. He emphasized that maintaining a unified front among law enforcement partners remains a priority, given the urgent nature of the missing person case.
Law enforcement officials have been meticulously combing through leads, reviewing doorbell camera recordings and conducting neighborhood canvasses in the search for Guthrie. The sheriff reiterated that the investigation remains active and that authorities are pursuing all credible information.
Family members and supporters have been vocal in their concern and frustration as days pass without a breakthrough, but Nanos stressed that the sheriff’s office and the FBI are continuing joint efforts to locate Guthrie and resolve unanswered questions about her disappearance.
The sheriff’s clarification was issued in response to growing public attention and misinformation about the status of interagency cooperation, underscoring the challenges law enforcement faces amid intense scrutiny in high-profile cases.