Evidence Turnover in Nancy Guthrie Disappearance
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos has handed over crucial physical evidence from the FBI in the case of Nancy Guthrie, refuting media suggestions that he is creating discord among investigators.
Reportedly, some federal officials have claimed that the sheriff’s department prevented the FBI from accessing gloves and DNA evidence discovered in Guthrie’s Tucson home, opting instead to send the items to a private lab in Florida for analysis rather than the FBI’s advanced facility in Quantico, Virginia.
Nanos expressed his frustration, stating, “That’s far from the truth,” in an interview with a Tucson news affiliate. He asserted that he’s been cooperating with FBI agents, mentioning recent dialogues regarding the lab in Florida.
According to Nanos, the FBI’s initial proposal was to send evidence to the nearest facility. His response? “Why would you do that? Let’s go where the DNA profiles are.” This evidently made sense to the FBI, and they agreed to the suggestion.
In a meeting, the sheriff also shared that the FBI officials had expressed a desire to keep the media from creating conflict among them.
Nanos indicated that the gloves found on the roadside might not be significant for the case, as a considerable number had also been picked up in the Catalina Foothills near his home. “We don’t even know the real value of this glove,” he remarked, noting their similarity to those worn by a masked figure seen on video near Guthrie’s home on the night she went missing on February 1.
Although no federal crime has been identified, the sheriff maintains jurisdiction over the investigation but can request assistance from federal agents if necessary. Tensions between local law enforcement and the FBI aren’t uncommon, often portrayed dramatically in police shows.
As the case has unfolded over nearly two weeks, some commentators on networks like CNN and Fox News have voiced criticism of Nanos. They pointed out inconsistencies in his early press briefings, his decision to clear Guthrie’s home as a crime scene after just one day of evidence gathering, and his reluctance to utilize the FBI’s crime-fighting resources sooner in the process.
Moreover, Nanos faced backlash for attending a University of Arizona basketball game during the intense search for the 84-year-old Guthrie. His retort to critics was, “When this is all over, criticize all you want, but right now I have a job to do.”
Nancy Guthrie was last seen at her Tucson residence on January 31, reportedly dropped off by family after sharing a meal with her daughter and son-in-law.
The investigation into her disappearance has led to uncertainty regarding the nature of the incident, with speculation ranging from a home invasion to potential kidnapping, with rumors of ransom demands surfacing in local media.
There has been no direct communication or negotiation between the alleged kidnappers and law enforcement or the family, suggesting that the ransom note may just be an attempt by criminals to exploit the situation.
Recently, the FBI released footage of a person seen outside Guthrie’s home, listing them on the Most Wanted page and including a clip from a doorbell camera. Authorities believe this suspect is of average build, between 5 feet 9 inches and 5 feet 10 inches tall, and was carrying a specific type of backpack.
The FBI has encouraged anyone with information to call their tip line, noting they have received over 13,000 tips thus far. They also announced an increase in the reward for information leading to the recovery of Guthrie or the arrest of those responsible for her disappearance, upping it to $100,000.
