Despite lacking arrests or suspects since her disappearance on January 31, Sheriff Chris Nanos reassured the public that the investigation is active and that they have substantial evidence.

Nancy Guthrie Home MemorialFlowers at the home of Nancy Guthrie in Tucson, Arizona. (Photo: AP)

Chris Nanos, the sheriff of Pima County, has defended his department’s handling of the investigation into the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, saying he has “no regrets” as the search continues. Speaking in an interview on Monday, Nanos said the inquiry into the missing 84-year-old had proceeded as intended, despite no arrests or publicly identified suspects since she vanished from her home in Tucson on 31 January.

“Yes, absolutely,” he told KVOA when asked whether the investigation had gone as planned. “Look, I have no regrets about my team and their efforts. I don’t regret we let the crime scene go too soon or any of that, that’s just silly.”

Nanos also issued a direct appeal to whoever may be responsible for her disappearance, urging them to release her. “Give her up,” he said. “Let her go, just let her go. Take her to a clinic, a hospital — drop her off. Just let her go.”

Guthrie is the mother of Savannah Guthrie, a co-host of the Today show.

Day-by-day timeline in the search for Savannah Guthrie's missing motherPima County Sheriff Chris Nanos speaks to the media. (Photo: AP)

In a statement released on Sunday, her family called for “renewed attention” from the public, asking residents to review any possible evidence, including surveillance footage from 11 January.

“We desperately ask this community for renewed attention to our mom’s case,” the statement said. “Please consult camera footage, journal notes, text messages, observations, or conversations that, in retrospect, may hold significance. No detail is too small. It may be the key.”

The family added: “We miss our mom with every breath, and we cannot be in peace until she is home. We cannot grieve; we can only ache and wonder. Our focus is solely on finding her and bringing her home.”

Investigators from the Federal Bureau of Investigation have sought security footage from nearby homes, though local reports say nothing of value has so far been recovered.

In a separate interview with KOLD, Nanos said the investigation remained active. “We have so much in front of us,” he said. “And we believe we have good evidence in front of us. Will that dry up? Could I be wrong? Absolutely. Anything is possible, but we’re not giving up.”

Authorities have released doorbell camera footage showing an armed, masked man outside Guthrie’s home prior to her disappearance. Officials said the individual spent about 40 minutes inside after the camera was disconnected at approximately 01:45 on 1 February. Her pacemaker later lost connection with her mobile phone at around 02:30, suggesting she may have been abducted at that time.

Nanos has previously warned that Guthrie, who lived alone, could die without her daily medication. The sheriff has faced criticism over his handling of the case and is due to be questioned by the Pima County Board of Supervisors at a scheduled meeting on Tuesday.

Separately, Matt Heinz has said Nanos should not remain in office, citing “work history misrepresentation and apparent false testimony” disclosed in a sworn deposition reported by The Arizona Republic. Documents cited by the newspaper indicate Nanos resigned from the El Paso Police Department in 1982, earlier than stated on his résumé.

He is also facing a recall effort led by local residents dissatisfied with his performance, including congressional candidate Daniel Butierez, who has reportedly recruited hundreds of volunteers to gather signatures.

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