Pima County sheriff dept. reamed for misleading ‘Nancy has been located’ — as Nancy Guthrie remains missing
April 17, 2026
The post actually referred to Nancy Radakovich, an 82-year-old who bears a striking resemblance to "Today" show host Savannah Guthrie's still-missing mom.
The Pima County Sheriff's Department is facing intense public criticism following a misleading social media post that briefly created false hope in the high-profile case of missing 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie. Late Thursday, the department posted a message on its official X account stating, “Update: Nancy has been located.” This announcement, however, did not pertain to Guthrie, who has been missing for over two months, but to another missing person, Nancy Radakovich. The failure to include a last name in the initial alert caused a surge of confusion and subsequent outrage among a community anxiously awaiting news of Guthrie.
The since-clarified post referred to the safe recovery of 82-year-old Nancy Radakovich, who had been reported missing a day earlier. For those closely following the Guthrie case, the vague update was a moment of short-lived relief that quickly turned to anger and frustration when the truth became apparent. Social media channels were flooded with sharp rebukes, accusing the department of being "tone deaf" and "unprofessional" for the lack of clarity. The incident has only amplified existing scrutiny over the department's public communications and its handling of the complex and sensitive investigation into Guthrie's disappearance.
Nancy Guthrie, the mother of "Today" show co-host Savannah Guthrie, was last seen at her home in the Catalina Foothills on the evening of February 1, 2026. Her family reported her missing the next day when she failed to attend a church service. Evidence found at her residence led investigators from the Pima County Sheriff's Department and the FBI to believe she was taken against her will in what is being treated as a kidnapping. The case has drawn national attention, with a multi-agency investigation underway involving extensive forensic analysis and the review of thousands of tips from the public.
The investigation has been a focal point of public interest and, at times, controversy. Sheriff Chris Nanos has defended his department’s handling of the case amidst questions from the public and media about the investigation's progress and perceived friction with federal partners. Issues have been raised regarding the decision to send key evidence to a private lab in Florida rather than directly to the FBI's facility in Quantico. Despite the challenges and the recent communications misstep, the joint investigation remains active, with authorities stressing that DNA analysis is ongoing and they are working with law enforcement partners across the country.
As the search for Nancy Guthrie surpasses the 75-day mark, her family and the wider community are left grappling with the painful reality of her continued absence. The misleading social media post served as a painful false alarm, compounding the distress for many and damaging the trust between law enforcement and the public it serves. While the safe recovery of Nancy Radakovich is a welcome outcome, the communication blunder has become another difficult chapter in the ongoing and unsettling story of Nancy Guthrie's disappearance. Authorities continue to ask anyone with information to contact the FBI.
Source: nypost