WATCH: Sheriff probing Nancy Guthrie disappearance spotted at basketball game, public rips both him and Fox News
As NBC News anchor Savannah Guthrie and her siblings posted another plea for the safe return of their mother Nancy on Saturday evening, the Arizona sheriff handling the case was spotted attending a college basketball game, prompting public outrage at both him as well as Fox News.
The network posted still images and video of Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos sitting near the front row of the game between the University of Arizona and Oklahoma State.
“The source of the photos, who requested anonymity, slammed Nanos for attending the game while the search continues,” reported Peter D’Abrosca of Fox News Digital.
EXCLUSIVE: Fox News Digital obtained photos of Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos at tonight’s University of Arizona basketball game.
Nancy Guthrie remains missing after nearly a full week, as Nanos faces mounting scrutiny.@FoxTrueCrime @FoxNews pic.twitter.com/3f9Fqn84p2
— Peter D’Abrosca (@pmd_reports) February 8, 2026
“I think it wasn’t a good move. This whole thing being so fresh and nationwide, maybe worldwide,” the source said. “I don’t think it was good for him to do it. He’s a major part of the investigation, so it didn’t look good to me. Very sad to see him at the Arizona basketball game.”
On Sunday, former D.C. homicide detective Ted Williams, now a Fox News contributor, told Fox News anchor Peter Doocy: “I can’t cast an aspersion on all of the local cops, but I certainly question this sheriff.”
“This is probably one of the biggest cases that he’s ever had, and it’s so significant and important not only to this county, but also to the country. And for him to be at basketball game, I think it’s an embarrassment and I think that certainly his officials and authorities above him should call him in and ask, ‘What they hell are you doing?’ I’m very troubled by that.”
WATCH:
“What the hell are you doing?” Former DC homicide detective Ted Williams questions the Pima County Sheriff’s judgement after he was spotted at an Arizona Wildcats basketball game Saturday night amid mounting pressure for answers in the disappearance of 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie. pic.twitter.com/HrTI7d7Tqb
— Sunday Briefing (@SundayBriefFNC) February 8, 2026
Doocy also asked media personality Billy Bush about the sheriff, wondering aloud: “Can this guy read the room?”
Bush suggested Nanos’ attendance at the game might be a positive thing, saying: “If that means the FBI has taken over, that’s a good thing. I’m sure he’s a lovely man, but our best and brightest need to be on it.”
Public comments online show split opinions about the sheriff’s appearance at the game.
Some took a negative view, indicating:
“It looks bad. The biggest case in the country, probably the world and he has BB on his mind. Basketball doesn’t qualify as an emergency. He should be replaced.”
“Wow! Nanos sure is using his newfound celebrity to tussle for free basketball tickets. The family can’t sleep [because] their dear mother is kidnapped. But the 4 star local sheriff is out having fun.”
“Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos is attending a U of A basketball game tonight while Mrs Guthrie’s family is desperately wondering why he made so many missteps in searching the property that criticism has skyrocketed. Well, he was elected because he’s a Democrat, and not because he knows the job or takes it seriously. That’s the trouble in Pima County. The party label gets you elected.”
“This is what happens when you hire/elect Democrat sheriffs. I wish I was joking but these people are just so incompetent. They put the public’s safety at risk in the name of progressiveness.”
“Sheriff leading Guthrie investigation spotted at basketball game as family pleads again with alleged ransomers. Nothing says ‘active investigation’ like courtside seating.”
However, many others were sympathetic toward the sheriff, instead attacking Fox News, with comments including:
“Oh, no, attending a basketball game on his time off. The absolute horror.”
“Unlike you and Fox News, Sheriff Nanos has a life. WTF is it with Fox that your every program is All Guthrie, All the Time?”
“Only FOX ‘NEWS’ can attempt to turn a missing persons case into a hit-piece!”
“The sheriff doesn’t work 24/7. He has lieutenants to do that. He can’t be everywhere all the time so leave him alone. I want them to find her also but he’s allowed to have a life outside of his job just like everybody else.”
Big f***ing deal. You think he’s not entitled to a life? Based on your logic, with the number of cases his office handles he should never do anything. Don’t be so stupid. All victims aren’t fortunate enough to be privileged with national attention.”
“He’s allowed to take a break like you and me. He has every right to clear his head the way he needs to.”
“Hey Fox News, Who gives a s**t if the sheriff was at a basketball game last night!?? You are giving this WAY too much airtime. Just because Savannah is ‘one of you’ so you can feel like the victim too! What about all the thousands of other missing children and people who don’t have a family member with star power? You have truly become a pathetic news channel!”
Minutes after the game’s conclusion, Savannah Guthrie and siblings Annie and Camron shared a third message on the “The Today Show” anchor’s Instagram page, pleading with possible ransomers to contact them.
“We received your message and we understand. We beg you now to return our mother to us so that we can celebrate with her,” said Savannah Guthrie, sitting between her brother and sister.
Savannah Guthrie says her family received the kidnapper’s message and will pay for their mom’s return. Incredibly strange story, still feels like there is very little (public) evidence of what is going on here: pic.twitter.com/UFVxb7jh6O
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) February 7, 2026
“This is the only way we will have peace. This is very valuable to us, and we will pay.”
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