Key Evidence in Nancy Guthrie Case Questioned

TUCSON, Ariz. — A well-known forensic geology company has raised concerns, claiming the Pima County Sheriff’s Department sent crucial evidence in the Nancy Guthrie case to a private lab in Florida, sidestepping the FBI altogether.

“This is incredibly frustrating,” stated Kristen Mittelman, co-founder of Osram. “DNA Labs International is a conventional forensic lab that produces SRTs [short tandem repeats]. I honestly don’t get why they didn’t send it to Quantico. They’re just more efficient and can often determine identities much quicker.”

Osram, based in Texas, has previously assisted law enforcement in identifying serious criminals, including Brian Koberger.

Reports indicate that the key evidence was sent to DNA Labs International in Deerfield Beach, Florida, under a state contract for biological testing services that runs until March 2022, as confirmed by state records.

Mittelman pointed out that timing is “extremely crucial” in this investigation, especially regarding Guthrie.

She further elaborated that Osram previously tackled the case of Evelyn Colon, who was unidentified until Osram stepped in after DNA Institute International fell short. Colon was found to have been killed in New Jersey in 1976 but was identified only in 2021.

Federal law enforcement officials have told FOX News Digital that the FBI would eventually need to reexamine the evidence anyway.

A source noted, “The FBI has developed better techniques now that help them avoid compromising evidence.” They criticized the Florida lab’s speed. “There are too many instances where evidence sent there has been delayed when time is critical in cases like these.”

On Thursday, federal authorities accused Sheriff Nanos of hampering the FBI’s access to evidence. This allegation was initially reported by Reuters and later confirmed.

An official shared with Reuters that “early setbacks” in the investigation could lead to further delays, stressing the urgency of the situation. They also criticized Nanos for not seeking FBI help sooner.

Nanos has denied these claims, asserting that the Pima County Sheriff’s Office simply wants all evidence evaluated in one lab.

Reportedly, he met with his team, who expressed concerns about media coverage creating divisions among them.

Earlier in the week, the FBI released footage from a doorbell camera at Guthrie’s residence, captured shortly before officers determined she might have been abducted.

The suspect is characterized as a male, approximately 5-foot-9 to 5-foot-10 with an average build, and was seen carrying an Ozark Trail Hiker Pack.

The Pima County Sheriff’s Office has not provided further comments on the matter.

DNA Labs International also chose not to comment.

Timeline of Nancy Guthrie’s Disappearance

• January 31, 2026
  • 9:30 – 9:45 p.m. – Family drops Nancy off at home.
  • 9:50 p.m. – Garage door closes (according to authorities).
• February 1, 2026
  • 1:47 a.m. – Doorbell camera disconnects.
  • 2:12 a.m. – Surveillance camera detects movement.
  • 2:28 a.m. – Pacemaker disconnects from phone application.
  • 11:56 a.m. – Family checks in on Nancy after she misses a church livestream.
  • 12:03 p.m. – 911 is called.
  • 12:15 p.m. – Sheriff’s deputies arrive.