Dispute Erupts as Arizona Sheriff Denies FBI Access to Evidence in Guthrie Case

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos is reportedly blocking the FBI from key evidence in the Nancy Guthrie disappearance, escalating tensions in the Arizona case.

As the search for Nancy Guthrie stretches into its second week, troubling new details have emerged out of Arizona. A federal law enforcement source confirms that Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos is blocking the FBI from accessing key evidence in the escalating disappearance case.

At issue are critical items recovered from Guthrie’s Tucson home including a glove and DNA evidence that federal investigators want processed at the FBI’s national crime laboratory in Quantico, Virginia. Instead, Sheriff Nanos has reportedly insisted on sending the evidence to a private laboratory in Florida, with which the department contracts.

The standoff is raising eyebrows and fueling growing frustration within federal law enforcement circles.

According to the source, the FBI believes the fastest and most reliable path forward is to utilize federal forensic resources. The Bureau’s Quantico lab is widely regarded as one of the most advanced forensic facilities in the world, equipped with cutting-edge DNA analysis tools and specialized expertise in complex cases. Yet access has reportedly been denied.

“It risks further slowing a case that grows more urgent by the minute,” the official said, referencing earlier setbacks in the investigation.

The tension underscores a broader structural reality the cannot take over an investigation unless invited by local authorities. In this case, the remains the primary investigative body, with the FBI participating only at its request.

Nancy Guthrie disappeared from her Tucson home in the early morning hours of February 1 and was reported missing later that day. Surveillance footage released jointly by local authorities and the FBI earlier this week shows a masked suspect approaching her front door moments before her disappearance a chilling development that has intensified public concern.

Key developments so far include:

• A masked individual captured on surveillance approaching Guthrie’s residence.

• Physical evidence recovered inside the home, including a glove and DNA material.

• The FBI raising the reward to $100,000 for information leading to her return or an arrest.

According to the federal source, Pima County has already spent approximately $200,000 sending evidence to a private Florida lab. Critics argue that bypassing federal forensic resources could introduce delays or complicate coordination between agencies.

The FBI’s laboratory in Quantico handles thousands of forensic cases annually and has assisted in some of the nation’s most high-profile investigations. Supporters of federal involvement contend that leveraging these resources is not about politics or turf wars it is about speed, accuracy, and maximizing the chance of a breakthrough.

The revelation of friction between local and federal authorities comes at a delicate moment. Missing persons cases are notoriously time-sensitive. According to the National Crime Information Center, over 500,000 missing person reports are filed annually in the United States, though most are resolved quickly. When days turn into weeks, the urgency intensifies dramatically.

The reported lack of immediate FBI access to key evidence has sparked questions about interagency cooperation. While local law enforcement agencies often work closely with federal partners, disputes over jurisdiction, procedure, and evidence handling can complicate matters.

For the Guthrie family and the Tucson community, the focus remains singular: answers.

The FBI has now offered a six-figure reward, signaling the seriousness of the investigation and the urgency federal officials feel. Meanwhile, the Pima County Sheriff’s Office has yet to publicly respond to questions regarding the handling of the evidence or the reported disagreement.

In cases like this, coordination is critical. Every forensic test, every lead, and every hour counts. Whether local and federal authorities can resolve their differences quickly may determine how soon the public and Nancy Guthrie’s loved ones learn what truly happened.

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