Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos opened up about the harrowing moment that the investigation into the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of Today star Savannah Guthrie, turned from a missing person's case to something much darker.
Nancy was reported missing from her home in Tucson, Arizona, on February 1, and was last seen by her daughter, Annie Guthrie, and her son-in-law, Tommaso Cioni. The sheriff shared with People that he was alerted about Nancy's disappearance around 2 p.m. on February 1, roughly two hours after authorities arrived at her property.
Just minutes later, the policeman texted him that the scene "doesn't look right, something is wrong…we're calling homicide".
"The reason that homicide was called is because they are the investigative unit in charge of missing persons," he explained. "Search and rescue is their operational team that helps assist with these issues."
Authorities found blood droplets on Nancy's front porch that matched her DNA, as well as a mixed sample containing DNA from more than one person, which is currently being studied. "Every day our DNA labs are working with our investigators, and they're coming up with different ideas and different thoughts of how to help them make this DNA work for us," Nanos said.
"How can we do more with what we have? And so that's why I say it is – I think we're getting closer." The sheriff assured that his team was "doing a good job" and was going to solve the case, declaring, "I fully, 100% believe that."
© Getty ImagesNanos also spoke on the Pima County Board of Supervisors' decision not to remove him from office on May 12, explaining that his department could stand to improve in several areas. "I listened to the board, I agree, and they said the department, it was a mess," he told People. "And sometimes you have to just sit back and listen. That's my job. I plan to get a hold of my department. It's just that this has gone on for quite some time."
See Savannah's Mother's Day tribute below...
"As the sheriff – it's my job, not my employees, not my labor groups – it's my job to find a resolution and fix the divisiveness within my department. Nobody else's."
The sheriff's assurances come just days after Nancy's daughter, TV personality Savannah Guthrie, shared a heartbreaking Mother's Day tribute to the 84-year-old and pleaded for information on her whereabouts.
© Getty Images"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," she wrote in the caption, alongside a video of Nancy and her family over the years. "We need help. Someone knows something that can make the difference. Call 1800CALLFBI. You can be anonymous, and the reward remains available. Please keep praying. Bring her home," she concluded.
© WireImageSavannah's famous friends and colleagues took to the comment section to share their support, with David Muir writing: "We're all with you, Savannah," while Hoda Kotb added: "I love you SG…Bring her home."
Craig Melvin shared: "Our ceaseless prayers continue," and Dylan Dreyer wrote: "Thinking of you and I continue to pray every day," while Sheinelle Jones chimed in: "Sending you all of my love…and yes, still praying, always."
