Nancy Guthrie Case Sheriff Has ‘Perpetrated a Fraud,' Local Official Says

A local official said Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos, whose department is leading the investigation into Nancy Guthrie's disappearance, has "perpetrated a fraud" by lying about his past employment.

"We should not know the name Nanos. He has perpetrated a fraud for four decades upon my community, and it is, frankly, it's shameful and insulting to the 1,500 men and women of that amazing law enforcement agency that he heads currently everyday he walks in the door," Pima County Board of Supervisors Vice Chair Dr. Matt Heinz told NewsNation.

Heinz said Nanos "made really bad decisions and then lied about his past." The Pima County Board of Supervisors previously requested Nanos answer questions about his employment history, and the sheriff sent the board a response on Tuesday.

"I've reviewed his responses with my team, with some other lawyers as well, and I'm certainly not satisfied with these responses," Heinz said.

In the letter to the board, Nanos' attorney, James M. Cool, said his client resigned from a previous position with the El Paso Police Department "in the wake of a dispute with a supervisor over the towing of vehicles." Nanos worked for the El Paso Police Department from 1976 to 1982, Cool said.

"Some time ago, Sheriff Nanos was alerted that the department's website incorrectly stated he was employed with the El Paso Police Department 1976 to 1984. Upon learning of the error, Sheriff Nanos immediately instructed staff to correct it," Cool wrote.

Heinz alleged that Nanos "lied about that gap in time." Heinz also mentioned Nanos' disciplinary history.

Nanos was suspended eight times while working for the El Paso Police Department, the Arizona Republic reported. One suspension was for beating a handcuffed suspect until the man suffered blood loss and was admitted to a hospital, the outlet reported, citing a suspension notice.

"I mean, 37 days of suspension in El Paso, 15 of those days occurred after he beat, almost to death, a handcuffed robbery suspect who is in the back of a squad car with a flashlight. He's a bad cop," Heinz said.

Cool said the sheriff has "minimal disciplinary history" and that it is "irrelevant to the performance of his official duties."

Heinz said it is "very possible" that Nanos has jeopardized elements of the investigation into Guthrie's disappearance.

"He has held a grudge against the FBI and refused to fully work with them going forward. And I think we see examples of the results of that with regard to the most recent high-profile investigation," Heinz said.

The Pima County Sheriff's Department has previously said it "has worked with the FBI since the beginning of the Guthrie investigation."

When Did Nancy Guthrie Go Missing?

Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of Today co-host Savannah Guthrie, was last seen at her home in the Catalina Foothills neighborhood of Tucson, Arizona, on January 31.

Nanos said at a news conference in February that there were clues at the crime scene indicating that she “did not leave on her own.” He also said Guthrie needs daily medication, and it could be fatal if she did not take it every 24 hours.

Nanos told the BBC in February that he believes Guthrie was a victim of a targeted kidnapping.

Nancy Guthrie DNA Timeline: What We Know

The FBI received and is now reviewing DNA evidence from Guthrie's home as the investigation into her disappearance continues, ABC News and NewsNation reported Thursday. The DNA evidence includes hair, according to the outlets.

Ben Williamson, assistant director for public affairs at the FBI, said on X, "this is not new evidence or information. FBI asked to test this DNA 2 months ago with the same technology we've always had – when the local Sheriff instead sent it to a private lab. Any further developments we will share as soon as appropriate."

Retired FBI agent Jennifer Coffindaffer told Newsweek, "It's all going to come down to…that hair sample, does it exist within the realm of a relative that would have used one of those, 23andMe or ancestry.com. That's what it comes down to. And it's going to take time, though. It's going to take weeks. It could even take months."

Law enforcement previously tested a glove found in a field approximately two miles from Guthrie’s home, near the side of the road. The sheriff’s department said there were no DNA hits in CODIS (Combined DNA Index System). Nanos said DNA results confirmed that the blood on the porch of the residence belonged to Guthrie.

Last month, Nanos said investigators have DNA they believe is "still workable" in the case of Guthrie’s disappearance.

"I just can't share everything I know, but I will tell you this: We have some DNA that we think is still workable, and we have to work that,” the sheriff told journalist Bill Buckmaster. “And we know the science, and we know we have some labs around this country who are really working diligently to get there with this."

The sheriff also suggested last month that DNA found at Guthrie’s home could contain a mixture of DNA from several people, according to Today.

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This story was originally published April 24, 2026 at 8:41 AM.