FBI Director Patel Criticizes Sheriff Nanos in Nancy Guthrie Case

FBI Director Kash Patel criticized Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos for delaying federal involvement in the investigation of Nancy Guthrie's disappearance on February 1. According to multiple reports, Patel claimed on Sean Hannity's podcast that local authorities kept the FBI out of the investigation for four days.

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. 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.

A retired lieutenant with the Arizona Department of Public Safety suggested that potential Mexico ties were downplayed to keep federal authorities off the case early. Dave Smith noted the challenging terrain in Tucson, including dense desert washes that can make investigations difficult and evidence transitory. He also mentioned the suspect's 'Mexican carry' style holstered pistol as a possible indicator of Mexican involvement.

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos told Fox News Digital that the task force handling the case is making progress nearly 100 days after Guthrie vanished from her home in the Catalina Foothills. When asked whether investigators are closer to solving the case, Nanos replied, 'We are,' adding that the developments are 'really great.' He did not elaborate on these developments.

Late last month, a private forensic lab in Florida sent a hair sample to the FBI for more advanced analysis. Experts have told Fox News Digital that the hair could be used for investigative or forensic genetic genealogy if it doesn’t match anyone known to have been in Guthrie’s home, potentially pointing the task force toward a suspect.

Relatives and workers who had reason to be at Guthrie's home have previously given voluntary DNA samples. Investigators believe Guthrie was taken from her home around 2:30 a.m. on February 1. Deputies arrived around noon that day after her daughter and son-in-law called 911 to report her missing.

The FBI obtained Nest doorbell imagery with the help of Google that shows a masked man of average height and build carrying a holstered pistol at Guthrie's front steps around the time of her abduction. A man in similar clothing was spotted about three weeks earlier approaching her door again.