Arizona sheriff blocks federal access to 'key evidence' in Nancy Guthrie search: Reports

TUCSON, ARIZONA: The Nancy Guthrie kidnapping case has become increasingly complex, with two separate investigations now underway, one led by the Pima County Police and the other by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Reports state that Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos has blocked the FBI from accessing or sharing key evidence in the case.

Authorities have also revealed new details about the suspect, including the suspect’s approximate height, gender, and the bag he was carrying during the incident. 

FBI denied key evidence in Nancy Guthrie probe

Fox News, citing an unnamed law enforcement source, reported on Thursday, February 12, that Sheriff Chris Nanos blocked the FBI from accessing critical evidence in the Nancy Guthrie case.

"The FBI asked Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos for physical evidence in the case, including a glove and DNA from the home of 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie, to be processed at the FBI's national crime laboratory in Quantico, Virginia, but Nanos has insisted instead on using a private lab in Florida," the source told the media outlet.

The source added that the FBI will likely need to re-test the evidence themselves. The publication also quoted the source as saying, "Nanos did send a glove that was recovered from inside the house to a 'private lab in Florida' rather than the FBI's lab in Virginia."

Meanwhile, the Pima County Sheriff's Department Forensic Team was seen searching brush along a road near Nancy Guthrie's home early Thursday morning. The search for the missing 84-year-old mother of NBC host Savannah Guthrie has now entered its 12th day.

FBI calls Nancy Guthrie case handling ‘insane’

As per Fox News Digital, the FBI said that the handling of the Nancy Guthrie kidnapping case has been “insane.” The unnamed source explained that the Pima County Sheriff's Office never requested FBI assistance; instead, it was the FBI that reached out first.

The source also described their involvement as initially “minimal.” “What they (Pima County) would allow,” the source said. For those unaware, Nancy Guthrie went missing on February 1. The FBI did not become involved until late on February 2, and even then, only after the bureau initiated contact, the source added.

Separately, the FBI released a description of the suspect in Nancy Guthrie's disappearance. He is described as approximately 5’9” to 5’10” tall with an average build. In the video, he is wearing a black, 25-litre ‘Ozark Trail Hiker Pack’ backpack, according to the agency.

The FBI has also increased the reward to $100,000 for "information leading to the location of Nancy Guthrie and/or the arrest and conviction of anyone involved in her disappearance."