Sheriff's Union Slams "Novice" Detectives in Guthrie Case

A Pima County Sheriff's union president has voiced strong criticism regarding the perceived inexperience of detectives handling the mysterious disappearance of Nancy Guthrie. Aaron Cross, president of the Pima County Deputies Organization, stated in an interview on Saturday, August 15, that the lead investigators have minimal homicide experience, with most having served three years or less in the unit. Cross suggested that some detectives were assigned to the homicide unit by command, despite lacking prior experience in the field.

Cross characterized the investigative team as "novice homicide detectives," highlighting that it was unusual to see individuals with such limited experience in this specialized unit, especially before Sheriff Chris Nanos's election. He argued that typically, new detectives receive mentorship from more experienced colleagues. The union president also pointed to the quick release of the crime scene to the Guthrie family, which occurred the day after it was secured, as a major oversight in the investigation.

As of August 2026, the case remains open six months after Nancy Guthrie was first reported missing in January. Sheriff Nanos has previously assured the Guthrie family of continued efforts, stating in a video on August 1, "We're still here. We're not going away." He acknowledged the difficulty of such cases in a June 1 interview, emphasizing that investigations require extensive work beyond initial interviews. Meanwhile, Savannah Guthrie, cohost of Today, marked the six-month anniversary of her mother's disappearance with a heartfelt plea on Instagram on August 1, describing the family's ongoing agony and despair.