Summary (tl;dr)

The Pima County Sheriff's Department is currently trending due to the six-month mark of the ongoing, high-profile disappearance case of Nancy Guthrie, which is now compounded by allegations of perjury against Sheriff Chris Nanos and a multi-million dollar wrongful arrest lawsuit against his department.

Essential Background

Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of "Today" show host Savannah Guthrie, was reported missing on February 1, 2026, after she was last seen on January 31 at her home in the Catalina Foothills of Tucson, Arizona. Authorities believe she was the victim of a targeted kidnapping. A joint task force comprising the Pima County Sheriff's Department (PCSD) and the FBI was established to investigate the disappearance, with a reward offered for information leading to her safe return.

The Full Story

As the search for Nancy Guthrie enters its sixth month, the Pima County Sheriff's Department announced the investigation remains "active and ongoing," despite a recently tested hair sample from her home yielding inconclusive results. The case has been complicated by the receipt of multiple ransom notes, some of which were determined to be fake, and the PCSD has issued a public warning about social media scams soliciting money for the case. Amidst this, Sheriff Chris Nanos is facing mounting criticism and calls for his resignation from Pima County supervisors due to allegations of perjury concerning his past employment as a police officer in El Paso, Texas. Adding to the department's challenges, two men who were detained and questioned early in the investigation are now filing a $3.25 million wrongful arrest lawsuit against Sheriff Nanos and a detective, claiming they were held without charges and that their names have not been publicly cleared.

Why It Matters

These keywords are trending due to the persistent mystery surrounding Nancy Guthrie's disappearance, amplified by her daughter's public pleas, and the growing controversy surrounding the Pima County Sheriff's Department. The ongoing investigation, coupled with serious allegations of misconduct against Sheriff Nanos and a significant wrongful detention lawsuit, has brought the department under intense scrutiny. This situation raises public concern about police accountability, the integrity of the investigation, and the broader implications for justice within the community.

Geographic Location

• Catalina Foothills, Tucson, Pima County, Arizona, United States (Nancy Guthrie's home and disappearance location)
• Pima County, Arizona, United States (location of the Sheriff's Department and where supervisory actions against Sheriff Nanos and legal claims are taking place)
• El Paso, El Paso County, Texas, United States (location where Sheriff Nanos allegedly misrepresented his past police record)
• Quantico, Prince William County, Virginia, United States (location of the FBI lab analyzing DNA evidence)