Questions are mounting around how the search for Nancy Guthrie is being handled, as critics inside law enforcement say decision-making in the case has been concentrated at the very top.
The New York Post reported that Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos is facing backlash after reportedly restricting key investigative decisions to himself and two senior commanders, according to law enforcement sources who spoke with The Daily Mail.
The move has drawn scrutiny because the case involves the disappearance of the 84-year-old mother of “Today” host Savannah Guthrie.
“He will only let himself or two of his handpicked staffers make decisions on the case,” one insider said.
Those staffers are identified as Chief Jesus Lopez and Captain Juan Carlos Navarro, both high-ranking officials within the department.
“Everybody else is being told what to do, no one else has a say so or an opinion. It’s just three men making decisions. It’s incredibly unusual to do that, when you have so many people working together and the FBI are involved,” the source added.
The same insider claimed that information is not being widely shared with federal agents.
“It’s limited to the thought process of three men. They keep everything from the FBI – they just aren’t sharing.”
Another law enforcement source described the structure as atypical, noting that major investigations are usually directed by experienced detectives on the ground rather than command staff.
“So no actual detectives are steering this, just command staff. This is highly unusual. Normally an experienced detective would steer it and provide updates through the chain of command,” the second source said.
“To be fair, it’s typical to keep key details under tight wraps as we saw in the Idaho case. What is unusual is command driving the investigation. It’s the tail wagging the dog.”
Nancy Guthrie was last seen on Jan. 31 at about 9:45 p.m. when her son-in-law, Tommaso Cioni, dropped her off at her Tucson home after dinner with her daughter Annie.
She was reported missing the following day after she failed to attend church, prompting authorities to open a criminal investigation.
Officials say she appeared to have been forced from her home, where a trail of blood was discovered.
The FBI has released a description of a man seen on a home security camera near the front door. He is believed to be armed, stands between 5 feet 9 inches and 5 feet 10 inches tall, and has an average build.
No suspects have been publicly identified.
