Share and Follow
Leading the investigation into the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, mother of Savanna Guthrie, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos has refuted claims that he is withholding crucial evidence from the FBI in this high-stakes case.
In a conversation with NBC affiliate KVOA on Thursday, February 12, Nanos dismissed these accusations, stating they are “far from the truth.”
The controversy arose from a Reuters report questioning his handling of gloves found near the crime scene. A source within the FBI claimed Nanos bypassed the FBI lab at Quantico in favor of sending the evidence to a private facility in Florida.
Nanos acknowledged in the interview that the gloves were indeed analyzed by a private lab in Florida, a choice he justified by mentioning the lab’s long-standing relationship with the Sheriff’s Department and their offer to handle the case for free. He emphasized that this decision was made with the FBI’s agreement.
“The FBI initially suggested sending just a couple of items found closest to the crime scene,” Nanos explained. “I proposed sending everything to the lab where all DNA profiles and markers are maintained, and they agreed it was a sensible approach.”
“When this is all done with, offer your critiques all you want,” he added, “but right now we have work to do.”
Nancy, 84, was reported missing on Sunday, February 1. She was last seen at her home in Catalina Foothills, Arizona, that Saturday night.
The Today host, 54, has made several appearances on social media alongside her siblings, pleading for her mom’s safe return as well as asking the public’s assistance.
The case has continued to develop over the last two weeks. On February 10, the FBI released video from the home showing a masked man tampering with the home’s doorbell camera wearing gloves similar to the ones found nearby.
The FBI has encouraged anyone with information about the crime to call their tip line at 1-800-225-5324.