The search for Nancy Guthrie, a Tucson woman who vanished from her home earlier this month, has taken a troubling turn. A critical impasse has developed between local law enforcement and the FBI, potentially hindering the investigation and prolonging the agonizing wait for answers.
At the heart of the conflict lies access to crucial evidence – a glove and DNA discovered inside Guthrie’s residence. The FBI, eager to utilize the advanced capabilities of its national crime laboratory in Quantico, Virginia, has formally requested these items from Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos.
However, Sheriff Nanos has reportedly refused the FBI’s offer, instead insisting on sending the evidence to a private lab in Florida with which his department has a pre-existing contract. This decision has sparked concern among federal officials who fear it will significantly delay the investigation.
One official, speaking on condition of anonymity, expressed deep frustration, stating that the situation “risks further slowing a case that grows more urgent by the minute.” The official also alluded to previous difficulties encountered during the investigation, suggesting a pattern of setbacks.
The structure of the investigation itself contributes to the tension. The Pima County Sheriff’s Office maintains primary investigative authority, with the FBI’s involvement contingent upon a request from local officials. This dynamic has led to criticism that Sheriff Nanos was slow to seek federal assistance.
The financial implications of Nanos’s decision are also raising eyebrows. The county has already spent approximately $200,000 to send evidence to the Florida lab, a cost that could have been avoided by utilizing the FBI’s resources.
The frustration within the FBI is palpable. Officials believe that leveraging federal technology and expertise represents the “fastest path to answers,” and that any deviation from this course will only exacerbate the Guthrie family’s suffering and the community’s anxiety.
The revelation of this dispute comes as investigators approach the two-week mark in the search for Nancy Guthrie. Earlier this week, the FBI and Pima County Sheriff’s Office jointly released surveillance footage depicting a masked individual approaching Guthrie’s front door shortly before her disappearance.
Nancy Guthrie was last seen at her Tucson home in the early morning hours of February 1st. Her disappearance was reported later that same day, immediately triggering a widespread search effort. The FBI has since increased the reward for information leading to her return or an arrest to $100,000.
As the investigation continues, the conflict between the FBI and the Pima County Sheriff’s Office casts a long shadow, raising serious questions about the pursuit of justice and the desperate hope for Nancy Guthrie’s safe return.
