Dispute Erupts Between FBI and Arizona Sheriff Over Missing Nancy Guthrie Case

Nancy Guthrie’s case has sparked several comments from both officials and the public since she disappeared from her Arizona home three months ago. A new public dispute has erupted between federal and local authorities over how the investigation was handled during its early phase. FBI Director Kash Patel said his agency was sidelined during an important stage of the case.

While talking with Sean Hannity on his podcast on May 5, Patel argued that the first hours after Guthrie’s disappearance were mishandled.

"The first 48 hours of anyone's disappearance are the most critical," Patel said. "For four days, we were kept out of the investigation. And when we were finally let in, Sean, look what we did."

Nancy Guthrie, mother of TV host Savannah Guthrie, was last seen on January 31 and was reported missing the next day from her home in Tucson. Authorities think she was taken against her will. Despite an extensive search and a reward exceeding $1.2 million, no confirmed sightings have been reported.

Patel pointed to a key development that was made on February 10, when the FBI released doorbell camera footage showing a person tampering with the device at Guthrie’s home. The suspect was described as a man of average build, around 5 feet 9 inches. Patel said the footage became available after federal involvement.

He said, "That's why you have that image, because the FBI worked with Google to put that image out," Patel told Hannity. The FBI chief claimed he contacted Google’s leadership to release it.

He also claimed the FBI offered to analyse DNA evidence at its lab in Virginia, but local officials chose a private facility. “They have jurisdiction, so it’s their call,” he added.

The Pima County Sheriff’s Department strongly disputed those claims. In a statement issued the same day, the department said the FBI was notified immediately and was present at the scene.

“A member of the FBI Task Force was also notified and present at that scene working alongside our personnel," the statement said. It added that coordination with federal agents began without any delays.

Sheriff Chris Nanos has repeatedly denied blocking federal access. Earlier in the investigation, he said decisions were made jointly. "The FBI and Pima County Sheriff's Department are connected at the hip," Nanos shared in a past interview.

Still, Nanos acknowledged some decisions could have been handled differently. He said he might have kept Guthrie’s home sealed longer before returning it to the family.

Investigators have collected DNA evidence, including samples from blood droplets and gloves found near the home. However, none of the discoveries has led to a prominent discovery.