Why Sheriff Nanos Won't Let the FBI Lead the Nancy Guthrie Investigation

Four weeks after Nancy Guthrie was kidnapped from her Tucson residence, the investigation has stalled—and insiders say they know why. Multiple sources within the Pima County Sheriff's Department allege that Sheriff Chris Nanos is refusing to let the FBI take the lead, despite federal agents reportedly wanting to step in.

The allegations don't come from outside critics. They come from Nanos's own current and former staff. Richard Kastigar spent 46 years with the department and served as Nanos's second-in-command before retiring. He now accuses the sheriff of harboring "great disdain" for the FBI stemming from a 2015 federal investigation that allegedly left Nanos angry for years.

Sgt. Aaron Cross, who represents Pima County deputies as their union president, told media that belief inside the agency is widespread: this has become "an ego case" for the sheriff.

Nanos rejects the characterization. He says FBI relations are strong and that sending DNA evidence to a private lab instead of Quantico was about maintaining consistency. But the optics are troubling. Nancy Guthrie—mother of TODAY show anchor Savannah Guthrie—remains missing with no suspects publicly identified and no arrests made. DNA processing alone could take months.

Adding context: in 2024, Nanos placed his election opponent on administrative leave just weeks before the vote. A federal lawsuit alleging retaliation followed. And Nanos's own words have raised eyebrows: "I'm not used to everyone hanging onto my every word and then holding me accountable for what I say."

The people who worked closest to this sheriff are the ones asking why the FBI isn't running this case.

Join Our SubStack For AD-FREE ADVANCE EPISODES & EXTRAS!: https://hiddenkillers.substack.com/

Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video? Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8-vxmbhTxxG10sO1izODJg?sub_confirmation=1

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/

Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspod

X Twitter https://x.com/TrueCrimePod

This publication contains commentary and opinion based on publicly available information. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Nothing published here should be taken as a statement of fact, health or legal advice.

#NancyGuthrieNews #FBIInvestigation #SheriffNanos #PimaCountyArizona #TucsonMissing #SavannahGuthrieMother #TrueCrimeToday #MissingPersonCase #CrimePodcast #ArizonaNews