Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos informed that he has ceased communication with Today co-anchor Savannah Guthrie and other members of Nancy Guthrie’s family, over 100 days after the 84-year-old was kidnapped in Tucson, Arizona.
In an interview with People published on May 14, Nanos stated that he no longer has direct contact with the Guthrie family and the Federal Bureau of Investigation is managing those discussions.
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Currently, the FBI is managing discussions with Nancy’s relatives as the investigation continues to examine evidence and leads.
“The public is frustrated. Even the Guthrie family,” Nanos admitted. “Every passing second must feel like 100 days because they don’t know. What matters is moving forward carefully so we don’t make mistakes or falsely accuse somebody or make a bad arrest.”
Chris Nanos faces backlash
Furthermore, NewsNation senior national correspondent Brian Entin commented on the Pima County Sheriff’s Department’s decision to stop communicating with Nancy’s family. He highlighted this development during the May 15 episode of Brian Entin Investigates.
Entin referred to the news as “interesting” because it initially seemed that Nanos was in communication with Savannah and her siblings, Annie Guthrie and Camron Guthrie.
“He is technically in charge of the investigation still, as the sheriff of Pima County. Remember, it was never handed over to the FBI,” the journalist pointed out. “So the fact that he is acknowledging that he is no longer directly communicating with the Guthrie family and says those conversations are being handled by the FBI, there’s been a lot of curiosity. Is Savannah, are the Guthries getting frustrated with the sheriff based on all of this reported that’s out there, that I’ve done that’s out there, mistakes that have been made.”
Entin also engaged in a conversation with Morgan Wright, a former investigator and law enforcement expert, who remarked, “To not have any contact, I think that’s a question that ought to be answered.”
Wright further stated that maintaining constant contact is one of the fundamental rules of investigations and working with the family. “At some point, you’re going to need their help. Let’s say that a case is made, you’re going to need their help in building the case, testifying, potentially providing evidence. So, you always want to make sure you’re on good terms with them.”
Pima County Sherriff under scrutiny
On Tuesday, the Pima County Board of Supervisors opted to retain Nanos in his position despite apprehensions regarding his professional background, his oversight of the Pima County Sheriff’s Department, and various personnel and financial matters, according to KOLD.
CBS News had earlier reported that two supervisors from Pima County accused Nanos of committing perjury during a deposition concerning his tenure as a police officer in El Paso, Texas.
Additionally, the decision made on Tuesday includes the board’s action of referring any allegations of perjury to the Arizona Attorney General, as noted by KOLD.
