Sheriff Overseeing Nancy Guthrie Case Calls Out Distractions Amid Her Disappearance

The search continues for Savannah Guthrie's missing mother, Nancy Guthrie, days after the 84-year-old disappeared from her Tuscon, Ariz.-area home in what police have described as a likely abduction or kidnapping. The details of the case have become immediate headline news across the country, creating a frenzy of both professional reporters and amateur sleuths intent on trying to solve the mystery. But the ongoing attention is starting to interfere with the investigation.

Media Inquiries, Public Frenzy Distract From Case

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos is leading the investigation, and in a press conference today, he said he's not used to having his work in the national spotlight. “This is really, for me, pretty new, all the media attention," he said.

In a conversation with The New York Times, Nanos said that the media inquiries had become a distraction from focusing on the case. “It’s just too tough, and it’s not fair to the case,” he said about trying to navigate the crush of inquiries.

“The reality is, it’s another crime,” he said. “We need to focus on the mission. We want to find Nancy, first and foremost. And we want to find her alive.”

The Times reports that the sheriff's office has been inundated not just with media requests, but also with tips and theories from amateur investigators. Some have even taken to flying drones over the neighborhood where Nancy Guthrie had disappeared, purportedly searching for clues in the case.

Details of Case Shock Public

The emerging details of the case have sent shockwaves across the country, drawing attention similar to recent disturbing cases around the murder of Rob and Michele Reiner or the death of Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa.

“I believe she was abducted, yes,” Nanos said in a press conference. “She didn’t walk from there. She didn’t go willingly. It is a crime scene. We know that… We do have a crime.”

Several outlets, including TMZ and local television stations, have reported receiving an alleged ransom note related to her disappearance demanding bitcoin. Authorities are investigating its validity. They were also forced to deny a report from independent journalist and former NewsNation host Ashleigh Banfield that claimed Nancy Guthrie's son-in-law was a suspect in the case. Authorities say they have not ID'ed a suspect.

"At this point, investigators have not identified a suspect or person of interest in this case," Nanos said in a statement shared to Facebook. "Detectives continue to speak with anyone may have had contact with Mrs. Guthrie."

The statement went on to say that "while we appreciate the public's concern, the sharing of unverified accusations or false information is irresponsible and does not assist the investigation."

Savannah Guthrie Asks for Prayers

In a recent Instagram post, Guthrie asked the public to pray for the safe return of her mother.

"We believe in prayer," she wrote. "We believe in voices raised in unison, in love, in hope. We believe in goodness. We believe in humanity. above all, we believe in Him. Thank you for lifting your prayers with ours for our beloved mom, our dearest Nancy, a woman of deep conviction, a good and faithful servant. Raise your prayers with us and believe with us that she will be lifted by them in this very moment. We need you."