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(NewsNation) — Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos has accused FBI Director Kash Patel of spreading inaccurate information about the investigation into Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance.
During an interview on “The Sharpe Exchange,” Nanos criticized Patel’s public comments about the case, saying the FBI chief received incorrect information early in the investigation and warned that when inaccurate information is released, he believes “it hurts the case.”
Nanos also pushed back on Patel’s claim that local investigators delayed contacting the FBI, calling the director “misinformed” and revealing the two have never met or spoken with each other.
The sheriff said the same investigative team has worked on the case since the beginning and still meets daily.
He also confirmed investigators are using familial genealogy as part of the investigation and said it’s possible the person responsible is still in the Tucson, Ariz., area.
When asked whether investigators believe Guthrie is dead, he said there’s no proof of her death and declined to make that determination. The sheriff added that if the family, including “Today” host Savannah Guthrie, believes she’s still alive, “so do I.”
Nanos also dismissed reports of friction between investigators and the Guthrie family, saying he has “zero indication” they are frustrated with law enforcement.
The sheriff has faced scrutiny over his past employment history and his handling of the Guthrie case. There were accusations he lied about being suspended from a previous job and in his resume, and Patel accused him of keeping federal authorities out of the loop during the critical first few days of the search.
Guthrie, 84, was reported missing from her home on Feb. 1.
Her family is offering a $1 million reward for information leading to answers in the case. The FBI is offering $100,000, and 88-CRIME is offering $102,500.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or the Pima County Sheriff’s Department at 520-351-4900.
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