TUCSON, Ariz. — The investigation into the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, mother of journalist Savannah Guthrie, has hit a snag as local authorities reportedly deny the FBI access to critical evidence. According to a law enforcement source, the Pima County Sheriff’s Department opted to send key physical evidence to a private DNA lab in Florida instead of submitting it to the FBI’s national crime lab in Quantico, Virginia.

The evidence in question reportedly includes a black glove discovered near Nancy Guthrie’s home along with DNA samples collected from her residence. This decision has raised concerns about the efficiency of the ongoing investigation, which is increasingly urgent as time passes.

One law enforcement official emphasized the potential consequences of this decision, stating that bypassing federal resources risks prolonging the grieving process for the Guthrie family and delaying justice for the community. The claims suggest that nearly $200,000 has already been expended to process evidence through the Florida lab.

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos firmly disputed allegations that his department is withholding evidence from federal investigators. He described the assertions as “not even close to the truth,” insisting that he has fully cooperated with the FBI throughout the case.

Sheriff Nanos explained that he chose to send all relevant DNA evidence to the lab instead of just a select few samples, as suggested by the FBI. He noted that understanding the full range of available DNA profiles could be critical for the investigation, mentioning that numerous gloves were found at the scene.

Nancy Guthrie, 84, was last seen on January 31, and search efforts intensified after blood was discovered outside her home the following day. This prompted local authorities to treat her residence as a crime scene. Both local law enforcement and the FBI are engaged in the search, aiming to locate the missing woman.

Recently, FBI Director Kash Patel shared surveillance footage showing an unidentified individual near Nancy’s home on February 1, the morning after she disappeared. The footage revealed someone tampering with her doorbell camera, but officials indicated that the video may have been compromised or lost due to various technical issues.

The FBI has identified a suspect in the case, describing him as a man approximately 5-foot-9 to 5-foot-10, possessing an average build and reportedly carrying a black Ozark Trail Hiker Pack. As investigators continue to piece together information, the bureau has received over 13,000 tips from the public related to the investigation, reflecting community engagement and concern.

Authorities have issued a $100,000 reward for information that could lead to solving the case, underscoring the urgency of the situation as efforts continue to locate Nancy Guthrie and bring her home safely.