Nancy Guthrie has been missing for 47 days. No suspect has been named. And the sheriff leading the investigation now has a formal recall effort against him - with a 95% disapproval rating that predates the case entirely.
Here is what is actually happening, and why it may not matter as much as it sounds.
The Recall Is Real
A recall effort against Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos was officially launched on March 12, confirmed by the Pima County Elections Department. Republican congressional candidate Daniel Butierez is leading the push, citing the sheriff's handling of the Guthrie investigation as the breaking point. Recall supporters have 120 days to collect 120,000 verified signatures to trigger an actual election.
The Pima County Board of Supervisors will also meet on March 24 to discuss discrepancies in Nanos' employment history, including allegations that he lied under oath during a December deposition when asked whether he had ever been suspended - records from El Paso show he was suspended eight times.
What a Retired FBI Agent Says About the Case
Here is the reassuring part. Former FBI special agent Maureen O'Connell said directly this week that removing Nanos would not affect the continuity of the Nancy Guthrie investigation. "It's not like he's holding the whole thing together," she said.
The FBI remains active in the neighborhood, recently returning to ask residents about a neighbor who moved out before Nancy disappeared, and requesting the names of all construction crews working on a nearby home under renovation. The investigation is moving - with or without the sheriff at the center of it.
Nancy Guthrie's family is offering a $1 million reward. Anyone with information should call 1-800-CALL-FBI or visit tips.fbi.gov.
