Arizona Sheriff Hinders FBI in Guthrie Abduction Investigation
An Arizona sheriff is obstructing the FBI's access to critical evidence in the investigation into the abduction of U.S. television journalist Savannah Guthrie's mother, significantly impairing federal efforts to assist in the probe, according to a U.S. law enforcement official familiar with the case. The official revealed that Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos has denied requests to send physical evidence, including a glove and DNA samples from the home of 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie, to the FBI's national crime laboratory in Quantico, Virginia.
Evidence Dispute Delays Federal Assistance
Instead, Sheriff Nanos has insisted on using a private laboratory in Florida for forensic analysis, a decision that effectively blocks the Federal Bureau of Investigation from accessing crucial evidence and delays its ability to contribute to the case. The official stated that the county has already spent approximately $200,000 to outsource evidence processing to the Florida lab, raising concerns about efficiency and urgency in the investigation.
"It risks further slowing a case that grows more urgent by the minute," the official told Reuters, citing unspecified earlier setbacks. The sheriff's department has primary jurisdiction over the case, and FBI assistance must be formally requested by the county; otherwise, federal involvement is legally restricted. A spokesperson for the sheriff did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Investigation Details and Family Appeals
Nancy Guthrie was last seen on January 31, 2026, after being dropped off at her home following a family dinner, and was reported missing the next day. Authorities have confirmed that traces of blood found on her front porch matched her DNA, and she is described as being in frail health, requiring daily medication. With limited mobility, investigators believe she was abducted by force, as she could not have wandered far unassisted.
In a significant development, authorities released doorbell camera footage showing an armed prowler in a ski mask and gloves attempting to disable the camera at Guthrie's home near Tucson, around the time of her presumed abduction. Law enforcement officials are likely seeking to use facial recognition technology on the video to identify suspects. Additionally, a black latex glove found discarded on a roadside has been recovered and is undergoing forensic examination.
Ransom Notes and Reward Increase
At least two purported ransom notes have surfaced since Nancy Guthrie vanished, delivered to news media outlets with deadlines that have since passed, but no proof of life has emerged. Savannah Guthrie, co-anchor of NBC's "Today" show, has posted video messages with her siblings, appealing to the captors for her mother's return and expressing willingness to meet ransom demands. The FBI has doubled the reward for information leading to Guthrie's location or the arrest and conviction of a suspect to $100,000.
The friction between the FBI and sheriff's department highlights the challenges in coordinating efforts as the search enters its 12th day. "It's clear the fastest path to answers is leveraging federal resources and technology. Anything less only prolongs the Guthrie family's grief and the community's wait for justice," the official emphasized.
