Home / Crime and Justice / FBI Scraps with Sheriff Over Missing Mom Evidence
FBI Scraps with Sheriff Over Missing Mom Evidence
13 Feb
Summary
- FBI requests evidence; Sheriff insists on different lab.
- Disagreement over lab processing slows national investigation.
- Suspect description released after forensic analysis of footage.

The search for 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie has encountered a significant roadblock due to a dispute between the FBI and the Pima County Sheriff's Department. The FBI requested that key physical evidence, such as a glove and other DNA samples, be sent to their national crime lab in Quantico, Virginia, for processing. However, Sheriff Chris Nanos has insisted on using a separate lab in Florida, causing delays in the investigation.
This disagreement has raised concerns among law enforcement officials, with one retired FBI agent expressing surprise that the bureau has not yet taken over the case. Nancy Guthrie was last seen in Arizona on January 31. Suspicious clues at her home initially suggested a crime had occurred.
Authorities have since released surveillance footage showing an individual wearing a mask and carrying a backpack, possibly with a gun. The FBI has increased the reward for information leading to Nancy's location and the arrest of those involved to $100,000. New details about the suspect, described as a male between 5'9" and 5'10" with an average build and carrying a specific backpack, were confirmed through forensic analysis of doorbell camera footage.




