The Pima County Sheriff’s Office didn’t immediately launch a high-tech aircraft at the start of the search for Savannah Guthrie’s missing mother, possibly hurting the investigation, according to a report.
The law enforcement agency didn’t use its Cessna aircraft that has high-resolution thermal imaging cameras for hours after Nancy Guthrie was reported missing Sunday, multiple sources claimed to the Daily Mail.
The alleged delay in getting the plane, known as Survey 1, in the air was due to a staffing shortage, according to the insiders, who blamed top cop Chris Nanos, a Democrat, for the lack of pilots.
The Pima County Sheriff’s Deputies Association president, Sgt. Aaron Cross, and county GOP chair Kathleen Winn told the outlet possible pilots for the aircraft were transferred out to another unit before Nancy’s disappearance.
One pilot was allegedly reassigned due to disciplinary measures weeks before the missing persons case while the other was moved from the unit in November 2025, according to the outlet.
A helicopter was instead deployed right away, but lacked the top-notch sensors and thermal imaging of the Cessna, the outlet reported.
The aircraft was eventually launched around 5 p.m., the Daily Mail reported.
An email to the sheriff’s office was not immediately returned Friday.
Here’s the latest on Savannah Guthrie’s missing mom
Pima County Board of Supervisors member Matt Heinz speculated if the plane delay hurt the search.
“So not having every asset at disposal for the search within the first few hours — is that going to have an impact? I cannot be sure, but it certainly doesn’t look or sound good,” he told the outlet.
Cross, a critic of Nanos, was put on leave by the sheriff in 2024 because the department said he engaged in political activities while appearing to be dressed in uniform, according to station AZPM.
Cross filed a lawsuit as a result.
Heinz, of the Board of Supervisors, endorsed Nanos’ Republican opponent in 2024.
Nanos has repeatedly stood by his department’s actions in the mysterious, high-profile case.
Nancy was last seen Saturday night, but loved ones called police Sunday morning after she wasn’t in her Tucson home.
Investigators believe Nancy was abducted and is possibly being held against her will.
Savannah, a “Today” co-host and her siblings have pleaded for their parent’s safe return in video messages after purported ransom notes were sent to news outlets demanding money.
Law enforcement, including the FBI, have yet to identify any possible suspects or persons of interest.
