Arizona sheriff blocks FBI access to evidence in Nancy Guthrie abduction, source says [View all]

Jana Winter Reuters
Feb. 12, 2026, 8:02 p.m. MT

WASHINGTON — An Arizona sheriff is blocking FBI access to key evidence in the investigation into the abduction of U.S. television journalist Savannah Guthrie's mother, impairing its ability to assist in the probe, a U.S. law enforcement official with knowledge of the case told Reuters on Thursday.

The FBI asked Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos for physical evidence in the case, including a glove and DNA from the home of 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie, to be processed at the FBI's national crime laboratory in Quantico, Virginia, but Nanos has insisted instead on using a private lab in Florida, the official said.

Outsourcing forensic analysis to a Florida contractor, effectively denying the access of the Federal Bureau of Investigation to crucial evidence in the case, is delaying the FBI ability to assist in the case, according to the official.

A spokesperson for the sheriff did not immediately respond to Reuters’ request by email seeking comment.

https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona/2026/02/12/sheriff-blocks-fbi-access-to-nancy-guthrie-evidence-case/88653839007/