Crime Stories with Nancy Grace

Episode: Nancy Guthrie Missing: Day 100 | Crime Alert 05.11.26
Date: May 11, 2026
Host: Sydney Silvani (for this episode's main reporting segment)

Episode Overview

This episode marks the 100th day since the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie from her Catalina Foothills home. Sydney Silvani delivers a focused update on both the criminal investigation into Guthrie’s abduction and the mounting political crisis surrounding Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos, who faces imminent removal from office. Breaking details include internal law enforcement controversies, FBI criticism, new forensic advances, and public appeals from Guthrie’s family.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. 100 Days Missing: The Nancy Guthrie Case

• Case Recap: Nancy Guthrie, age 84, vanished from her home on February 1st, presumed abducted around 2:30 a.m.

• Discovery: Family notified authorities nearly 10 hours later, after discovering personal belongings—including her wallet and vehicle—left behind.

• Urgency: Guthrie suffers from limited mobility and requires daily medication ([05:27-05:59]).

  “…all personal belongings—including the 1021 wallet and vehicle—was still there, and she was nowhere to be found. Cedric suffers from limited mobility and has a medication schedule to follow that she needs daily.”
  — 911 Dispatcher, [05:27]

2. Sheriff Nanos Under Fire

• Political Crisis: Sheriff Chris Nanos faces a Tuesday deadline to resign or face forced removal due to allegations of perjury—specifically, lying under oath about his disciplinary history in an unrelated lawsuit ([00:39-01:47]).

• Details of Allegations: Internal El Paso Police Department records indicate prior suspensions for “unnecessary violence and chronic tardiness” ([01:03-01:20]).

• Board Commentary: Dr. Matt Hines, Board of Supervisors:

  “Nanos cannot be a cop anymore and is not upholding the necessary standards of the badge.”
  — Dr. Matt Hines, [01:27]

• Sheriff’s Defense: Nanos’s attorneys argue misunderstanding, highlighting the disciplinary events happened out-of-state and were unrelated to Arizona law enforcement standards ([01:47-02:15]).

3. Investigation Criticized by FBI

• Federal Critique: FBI Director Cash Patel alleges Pima County Sheriff’s Department “blocked federal agents from the investigation during the most critical window of the abduction”—specifically, the first four days ([02:18-02:40]).

  "…for four days we were kept out of the investigation."
  — FBI Director Cash Patel, [02:34]

• Sheriff’s Rebuttal: Department claims an FBI task force member was present from the night Guthrie was reported missing, and points to a joint press conference 48 hours later ([02:41-03:01]).

4. Forensics and Key Evidence

• Nest Footage: Most significant evidence remains a Nest doorbell video (sourced by federal investigators via Google) showing a masked man with a holstered pistol on Guthrie’s steps at the time of her disappearance; same individual appeared on camera three weeks prior ([05:59-06:20]).

• New Forensic Lead:

  • Hair Sample: Private forensic lab Othram has sent a hair sample found at the scene to the FBI for advanced DNA analysis, aiming to use genetic genealogy ([06:20-06:40]).

  “If the profile is incomplete or degraded, identifying familial connections becomes exponentially more difficult, potentially leaving the suspect’s identity hidden.”
  — Dr. David Mittleman, Othram, [06:43]

  • DNA Samples: Relatives and staff have voluntarily provided DNA; a non-match to the hair would indicate an external perpetrator ([06:55-07:05]).

5. Family’s Plea and Community Response

• Savannah Guthrie’s Public Appeal:

  “Mother, daughter, sister, Nonie, we miss you with every breath. We will never stop looking for you. We will never be at peace until we find you. We need help. Someone knows something that can make the difference. Please keep praying. Bring her home.”
  — Savannah Guthrie, Instagram, [07:09]

• Reward & Public Involvement: The reward for information now exceeds $1.2 million. Authorities urge the public to view the Nest footage and call 1-800-CALL-FBI with leads ([07:26]).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Dr. Matt Hines on Sheriff Nanos:

  “Nanos cannot be a cop anymore and is not upholding the necessary standards of the badge.”
  [01:27]

• FBI Director Cash Patel on Federal Exclusion:

  “What we the FBI do is say, hey, we’re here to help. What do you need? What can we do? And for four days we were kept out of the investigation.”
  [02:32-02:40]

• Dr. David Mittleman (Othram) on DNA Analysis:

  “If the profile is incomplete or degraded, identifying familial connections becomes exponentially more difficult, potentially leaving the suspect’s identity hidden.”
  [06:43]

• Savannah Guthrie’s Mother’s Day Plea:

  "Mother, daughter, sister, Nonie, we miss you with every breath. ... We need help. Someone knows something that can make the difference. Please keep praying. Bring her home."
  [07:09]

Timeline of Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment Description | |-----------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:39 | 100th day of Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance; update begins | | 01:03 | Sheriff Nanos’s disciplinary history and perjury allegations revealed | | 01:27 | Board of Supervisors statement (Dr. Matt Hines) | | 02:18 | FBI involvement and criticism from Director Cash Patel | | 02:41 | Sheriff’s department rebuttal regarding FBI’s timeline | | 05:01 | Recap of abduction sequence and 911 dispatcher call summary | | 05:59 | Details of Nest camera footage tied to the abduction | | 06:20 | DNA evidence update: hair sample submitted for genealogical DNA analysis | | 07:09 | Savannah Guthrie’s Mother's Day Instagram plea | | 07:26 | Reward amount and call for public assistance |

Summary

This gripping update focuses not only on the ongoing search for Nancy Guthrie, now missing for 100 days, but also the tumultuous political crisis threatening the Pima County Sheriff’s Department. Mounting legal and political pressures, coupled with harsh FBI criticism, have fueled controversy and speculation about both the department’s leadership and the investigative process. Forensics offer renewed hope, particularly with advanced DNA analysis underway. The Guthrie family, bolstered by nationwide attention and substantial reward money, continues to plea for leads and public vigilance. The episode serves as a sobering reminder of the stakes involved—for the victim, the family, and the justice system itself.