Nancy Grace warns private lab DNA testing could jeopardize Nancy Guthrie case

The Pima County Sheriff’s Department confirmed black gloves and a backpack tied to a suspect were found near Nancy Guthrie’s home
Nancy Grace warned that sending DNA in Nancy Guthrie’s case to a private lab risks evidence (Getty Images, Peter Kramer/Getty Images)
Nancy Grace warned that sending DNA in Nancy Guthrie’s case to a private lab risks evidence (Getty Images, Peter Kramer/Getty Images)


TUCSON, ARIZONA: TV host Nancy Grace has warned that sending vital DNA evidence to a private lab could put the limited samples at risk in Nancy Guthrie's case. She questioned why the FBI isn’t handling the evidence directly to avoid any recklessness.

A pair of black gloves found near Guthrie’s Tucson-area home is being tested for DNA. Authorities say it’s unclear whether they are linked to the masked suspect caught on surveillance footage.

Her remarks follow reports that an Arizona sheriff blocked key evidence from being shared with the FBI. 

Investigators find a ‘start point’ in search for Nancy Guthrie (@savannahguthrie/Instagram)
Investigators find a ‘start point’ in search for Nancy Guthrie (@savannahguthrie/Instagram)

Nancy Grace questions private lab DNA testing

Concerns continue to mount in the investigation into Nancy Guthrie's disappearance as questions arise over how critical evidence is being handled. 'The Crime Stories with Nancy Grace' host Nancy Grace said, “There are cases where DNA is sent to a particular lab, a specialty lab, a lab that could have expertise in diluted, destroyed, old, or degraded DNA."

"But even if that’s why he’s hanging his hat on an excuse to send it to a private lab in Florida, they don’t have anything that the FBI doesn’t have, so that’s not going to wash," she added. "If there’s a small amount of DNA inside one of those gloves and it is sent to a lab for testing, that DNA could be used up in the testing."



"So what I’m saying is, if that lab in Florida uses up that touch DNA, it’s over. Does he not realize what he is risking? He needs to go back to his basketball game," she concluded. Grace also noted that federal authorities are still investigating a gray truck linked to Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance.

"They're asking everyone within a two-mile radius to pull video and have they seen a truck, a gray truck, and do they own a truck, and do they know somebody who owns a truck?" Grace explained. She added that authorities are focusing on the vehicle because one was reportedly captured on video at suspicious times.

Gloves, backpack tested for DNA evidence

Investigators are examining a pair of black gloves and a backpack connected to the suspect near 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie’s home. The Pima County Sheriff’s Department confirmed that the gloves were found nearby.



Deputies and FBI agents searched the desert about a mile from her home. Several patrol vehicles and a forensics truck were on site. Officials have not said why they were searching the area.

Authorities said the gloves are being tested for DNA, though they did not specify the type. DNA Labs International in Florida has reportedly assisted with the testing.

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