Nancy Guthrie Case, Sheriff Nanos Held Back DNA Evidence For 4 Days? FBI Chief Kash Patel Speaks Up

It has been more than three months since Today show host Savannah Guthrie’s mother, Nancy Guthrie, was reported missing on February 1, 2026, and the investigators still don’t have any official leads. The Pima County Sheriff’s Department has been receiving a lot of flak for the same, and even experts and authorities have started questioning Sheriff Chris Nanos’ credibility in the search. Adding to the already heated debate, FBI director Kash Patel has made some new bombshell claims against the sheriff. 

Sheriff Nanos refused the FBI’s assistance, says director Kash Patel

During a recent appearance on Hang Out with Sean Hannity, Kash Patel publicly claimed that local authorities wasted crucial time during the initial days of the investigation, significantly delaying the process. Speaking about the ongoing case, Patel revealed that the FBI had allegedly prepared immediate resources to fast-track the investigation, including an aircraft ready to transport DNA evidence from the scene directly to the bureau’s Quantico lab for urgent analysis. He said:

“It is a state matter. It’s a state and local law enforcement matter. What we, the FBI, do is say, ‘Hey, we’re here to help. What do you need? What can we do?’ And for four days, we were kept out of the investigation.”

Pic: Hang Out with Sean Hannity/YouTube

The FBI had aircraft ready for swift action, but the local authorities refused help for four days

Patel further claimed that investigators may have recovered crucial evidence sooner if the FBI had been allowed to step in earlier. He also alleged that the bureau had already arranged immediate transport for the DNA samples so testing could begin without delay. He added that while the FBI was prepared to take over the forensic analysis, the final decision ultimately rested with local authorities, who opted for a testing lab in Florida. Patel stated:

“We could have gotten it days before…we could have also maybe gotten more data… We said, ‘We will take the DNA’…We have Quantico, best lab in the world. I had a fixed-wing aircraft on the ground, ready to move it immediately through the night. And they said, ‘We’re sending it to Florida.’…They have jurisdiction, so it’s their call.”

Pic: X

The FBI chief also alleged that his department was effectively kept out of the investigation for four days before being allowed to assist. He claimed the delay may have impacted how quickly investigators could recover surveillance and forensic evidence linked to the case. These remarks have again triggered outrage online, amid ongoing demands for Chris Nanos’ termination from the investigation.

Pic: @JLRINVESTIGATES/X

Sheriff Chris Nanos responds to the FBI director’s new claims

Amid the growing backlash over Kash Patel’s comments, the Pima County Sheriff’s Department issued a statement defending its actions. According to Sheriff Nanos, local authorities responded immediately on the night of the incident, and the FBI officials had been involved in Nancy Guthrie’s investigation since the beginning.

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Defending his stance, Nanos insisted that all decisions regarding the processing of evidence were made considering operational needs. The sheriff wrote that the Florida lab and the FBI’s Quantico facility have continued working together throughout the investigation. A part of the statement reads:

“Sheriff Nanos responded to the scene the night of the incident, providing immediate local leadership and oversight. A member of the FBI Task Force was also notified and present at that scene working alongside our personnel. The FBI was promptly notified by both our department and the Guthrie family. While the FBI Director was not on scene, coordination with the Bureau began without delay.”

Pic: Pima County Sheriff’s Department/X

Why the DNA evidence matters in Nancy Guthrie’s investigation

The DNA evidence recovered from Nancy Guthrie’s home has become one of the most closely watched aspects of the case. Authorities previously confirmed that forensic material, including a hair particle, was collected from the scene. Several former law enforcement officials have suggested that advanced FBI testing could potentially help identify whoever abducted the 84-year-old.

Pic: Savannah Guthrie/Instagram

Kash Patel’s allegations have added another layer of controversy to an already complex investigation. Let us know your thoughts on the new claims.

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