Sheriff Goes On ‘Tone Deaf’ Basketball Game Outing Amid Search For Nancy Guthrie – As Investigators Are Called Out For Lack Of Experience

The longer it drags on, the more uncomfortable the questions become.

As the desperate search for Nancy Guthrie enters another agonizing stretch, scrutiny is no longer focused solely on the person or people who took her, but on the very law enforcement agency tasked with bringing her home.

And behind the scenes of this now-national nightmare, sources are painting a troubling picture of an investigation helmed by embattled Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos that may be far more fragile than the public realizes.

Related: Cops Search Home Of Savannah Guthrie’s Sister For Hours — Again

According to an insider speaking out to DailyMail.com on Monday, the high-profile abduction of the 84-year-old mother of TODAY show co-host Savannah Guthrie is being handled by a remarkably small team with limited experience in the very kind of case that demands seasoned leadership and flawless execution.

The revelation is stark: just six homicide detectives are assigned to the case. For real.

Even more alarming, the detective overseeing the investigation reportedly has less than two years of homicide experience, with the most seasoned member of the team still clocking in at only three years. Which, uh, WTF?! For a kidnapping that has captured national attention, sparked ransom demands, and left a family pleading publicly for a loved one’s life, that reality is raising serious alarms.

As one anonymous veteran within the Pima County Sheriff’s Department put it:

“The group that is tasked with this incredibly high-profile and critically urgent investigation is very small. It’s six detectives from homicide — which is part of the violent crime section — and the overall case detective has less than two years in that specialism. They are working with federal agents. But in a well-functioning agency, it would be a very senior, highly experienced detective who would be running things.”

That lack of experience, the source claims, isn’t due to scarcity, but internal decisions at the top.

Sheriff Nanos, who has become an increasingly controversial figure in the days following the abduction, is being directly blamed by some for allegedly sidelining veteran detectives who could have played a critical role. The insider said:

“The irony is that experienced detectives are available to Nanos, but they’ve been thrown out of homicide. There are two extremely experienced veteran detectives that were assigned to cold case. And now they are hovering around the outside of this inner group.”

Tucson’s relative calm may also be working against the department. Fewer homicides mean fewer opportunities for detectives to develop the instincts that come only with repetition and exposure to chaos. The source explained:

“This isn’t Los Angeles or New York, we don’t have hundreds of homicides a year. So, it takes a long time for a homicide detective here to develop the necessary experience for big cases. Nanos and his inner circle have created the situation where none of these detectives has worked many homicides or similar cases.”

And what comes next is perhaps the most shocking detail of all:

“In fact, the current homicide sergeant has never worked a homicide as a detective in his life. It’s got to the stage where the captain in charge of all the detectives is essentially steering this case because they don’t have enough experience inside the unit.”

WOW!!!

At recent press conferences, the FBI has appeared to take on a more visible role, prompting questions about who is actually in charge. But even that remains unclear. The source said:

“That’s really hard to say. Everything is being played very close to the vest. It’s very hard to know who’s got their hands on the steering wheel. I wish the Feds would take it over officially. It’s clear our leadership and this unit are way out over their skis on this one.”

Meanwhile, the handling of the crime scene itself has become another point of concern.

Related: Cops Reportedly Discover Camera On Nancy Guthrie’s Roof Thanks To Neighbor!

Nancy’s home has been searched multiple times, with evidence removed, tape put up, then taken down again, leaving the property unsecured. According to another insider, that could have devastating consequences if the case ever makes it to court:

“I mean, how many times have we given up the scene. They did the search warrant on Friday and then gave the house back. This means there is no chain of custody. So it’s going to be difficult in court if this ever goes to trial. If you found some smoking gun inside the home on your third search, to say the chain of custody was maintained is impossible. No one is there watching the home. Anyone could have walked up to the property, tampered with things, removed things. That leaves a potential defense counsel with room to navigate when you have repeatedly and consistently given up the scene.”

All of this unfolded as Savannah and her siblings made another emotional public plea, saying she would pay a ransom if it meant seeing her mother alive again.

Related: Donald Trump Speaks Out About Nancy Guthrie’s Disappearance

And THEN came the moment that ignited fresh outrage. While detectives and search-and-rescue teams worked through the weekend, Sheriff Nanos was spotted attending a college basketball game, and smiling in the crowd.

Of that public sighting, an insider told the DM:

“It’s tone deaf while Nancy is still out there. Everybody deserves, of course, their time off. It’s been a very stressful, hard, long week. But given how hard detectives and search and rescue are working, including all the overtime they’re doing, it’s a poor decision and it doesn’t look good for the agency. It just seems very odd given how emotional he was throughout the week during interviews, saying he believes she’s still alive and how desperate he is to find her.”

Seriously.

This isn’t about optics alone. It’s about trust, leadership, and whether the people tasked with finding Nancy are equipped, supported, and guided in the way this moment demands.

Thus, as the days stretch on, the silence grows heavier, and the questions only get louder…

Thoughts, y’all? Share ’em (below).

A tip line has been set up: see HERE. The FBI has offered a $50,000 reward for information leading to the recovery of Nancy Guthrie, and/or the arrest and conviction of anyone involved in her disappearance.

[Image via Savannah Guthrie/Instagram/NBC News/YouTube]