FBI Director Kash Patel criticized Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos for delaying federal involvement in the investigation of Nancy Guthrie, mother of NBC journalist Savannah Guthrie. According to multiple reports, Patel claimed on Sean Hannity's podcast that local authorities kept the FBI out of the investigation for four days after Guthrie's disappearance on February 1.
Key Takeaways
FBI Director Kash Patel criticized Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos for delaying FBI involvement in the investigation of Nancy Guthrie's disappearance. Nanos disputed these claims, stating that coordination with the FBI began promptly. The case remains unresolved with no suspects identified.
- FBI Director Kash Patel accused local authorities of keeping the FBI out of the investigation for four days
- Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos disputed Patel's claims, asserting prompt coordination with the FBI
- Surveillance video showing a masked individual is the most significant lead in the case
- DNA evidence was sent to a private lab in Florida instead of the FBI's Quantico facility
- No suspects have been identified and Nancy Guthrie remains missing
Nanos disputed these claims, issuing a statement asserting prompt coordination with the FBI from the outset. The sheriff emphasized that while Patel was not personally present, an FBI task force member was involved immediately and collaboration between agencies has been ongoing.
The most significant lead in the case remains surveillance video released on February 10, showing a masked individual carrying what appears to be a gun at Guthrie's home. Patel took credit for obtaining this footage through Google after gaining access to the investigation, per Fox News and HuffPost. He also criticized Nanos' decision to send DNA evidence to a private lab in Florida rather than using the FBI's facility in Quantico.
Nanos defended his department's decisions, stating they were made based on operational needs. Both labs have been working together throughout the investigation, according to CBS News and HuffPost. Despite these efforts, no suspects have been identified and Guthrie remains missing over three months after her disappearance from Tucson, Arizona.
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