FBI Cut Off from Key Evidence in Savannah Guthrie’s Mother’s Case: Report
The FBI has been hindered from obtaining crucial evidence in the investigation of Savannah Guthrie’s missing mother, Nancy Guthrie, as reported recently.
A law enforcement official informed Reuters on Thursday, February 12, that the FBI has requested the Pima County Sheriff’s Department to send physical evidence — including a glove and other DNA samples — to its national crime lab in Quantico, Virginia, as the search for 84-year-old Nancy continues. However, Sheriff Chris Nanos has insisted on using a different laboratory in Florida, which has delayed the FBI’s involvement in the case.
Retired FBI agent Scott Curtis commented on the report on Thursday, stating to Us Weekly, “Disagreements between the Sheriff’s Department and the FBI will not facilitate progress.” Curtis expressed his surprise that the FBI hasn’t taken over the investigation nearly two weeks after Nancy was reported missing.
Nancy was last seen in Arizona on January 31. Sheriff Nanos previously mentioned to Us that there were suspicious signs at Nancy’s residence indicating a potential crime.
“After 50 years in this field, I can tell when something feels off,” he remarked earlier this month. “There’s something unusual at that house that made us think, ‘Something is seriously wrong here.’”
Nanos urged that Nancy’s family should not “lose hope,” adding, “However, while there is hope, there are also indications suggesting that this lady is in danger.”
Savannah and her siblings, Annie and Camron Guthrie, have made several heartfelt appeals for their mother’s safe return. Just before the deadline on an alleged ransom note was reached on Monday, February 9, Savannah admitted that her family was in an “hour of desperation.”
The following day, the FBI released surveillance images and footage of a person at Nancy’s home. The individual was spotted wearing a mask and carrying a backpack, with what appeared to be a firearm at their waist.
Investigators later informed NBC Tucson affiliate KVOA on Wednesday, February 11, that black gloves were discovered during the search around Nancy’s residence. These gloves have been sent for DNA testing.
Authorities previously announced a reward of $50,000 for information regarding Nancy’s abduction, which has since been doubled.
“Today, the FBI is raising the reward to $100,000 for information that leads to the location of Nancy Guthrie and/or the arrest and conviction of anyone involved in her disappearance,” stated a message shared by FBI Phoenix on social media on Thursday.
The post indicated that “new identifying details about the suspect” were confirmed following a forensic analysis of the doorbell camera footage by the FBI’s Operational Technology Division.”
“The suspect is described as a male, approximately 5’9” to 5’10” tall, with an average build. He is seen in the video carrying a black, 25-liter ‘Ozark Trail Hiker Pack’ backpack,” the statement elaborated. “We hope this updated description will help narrow down the public tips we receive. Since February 1, 2026, the FBI has collected over 13,000 tips from the public regarding this case.”
