Pima County Sheriff's Department has come under scrutiny after a brief social media update reading 'Update: Nancy has been located' sparked widespread confusion online, with many initially believing it referred to missing Today Show co-host Savannah Guthrie's mother, Nancy Guthrie.
The post, which offered no surname or additional context, quickly circulated across platforms amid ongoing national attention on the high-profile missing person case. It was later clarified that the message referred to a separate case involving 82-year-old Nancy Radakovich, who had recently been reported missing in Arizona and was found safe.
The confusion began when the Pima County Sheriff's Department posted a missing vulnerable adult flyer for Nancy Radakovich on 17 April, overlaid with the word 'located'. The accompanying caption simply stated 'Update: Nancy has been located'.
Update: Nancy has been located.https://t.co/bS6yuRL1J3pic.twitter.com/pVX7Xz5ekK
Given the ongoing public interest in the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, which has remained unresolved for nearly three months, many social media users mistakenly assumed the update referred to her case. The lack of a surname in the caption amplified the misunderstanding, with the post rapidly gaining traction before clarification was issued.
Authorities later confirmed that the update referred to Nancy Radakovich, an 82-year-old woman who had been reported missing on 16 April 2026. She was last seen leaving her known location in a silver Toyota Avalon before being safely located shortly afterwards.
Radakovich was classified as a vulnerable adult in the initial missing person report. Law enforcement confirmed she was found alive, and the update was intended to signal her recovery. However, the absence of identifying details in the original post contributed to the widespread misinterpretation online.
The case of Nancy Guthrie, 84, remains active, with authorities continuing efforts to locate her following her disappearance from her suburban Tucson home nearly three months ago. The case has drawn significant national attention, partly due to public appeals from her daughter, broadcast journalist Savannah Guthrie.
Law enforcement agencies, including federal authorities, have reportedly followed multiple leads. While the circumstances of her disappearance have not been fully confirmed, reports have suggested an abduction. Despite ongoing searches and public appeals, no confirmed sightings or breakthroughs have been announced.
The sheriff's department's social media post prompted criticism from some users who said the wording was misleading in light of the high-profile nature of the Guthrie case. 'I LITERALLY THOUGHT THIS WAS NANCY GUTHRIE. THE WAY MY HEART JUST DROPPED!' said one user. 'Did yall think before you posted just "Nancy" so it'd show up on everyone's feed?' added another.
Source: International Business Times UK
