FBI Director Kash Patel has publicly criticized local authorities over their handling of the investigation into the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the mother of NBC's Savannah Guthrie. The 84-year-old was last seen on January 31 in Tucson, Arizona, and was reported missing the following day. No suspect or person of interest has been identified, and Guthrie remains missing.
Part 1: Immediate Action & Core Facts
Patel claimed in a May 5 interview that the FBI was excluded from the investigation for the first four days. However, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos disputed this, stating that an FBI task force member was present the night Guthrie was reported missing. The FBI later obtained doorbell camera footage showing a masked man near Guthrie's home, which Patel said was secured after the FBI's involvement.
Part 2: Deeper Dive & Context
FBI's Role and Evidence Collection
Patel criticized local officials for not immediately utilizing the FBI's resources, including its lab in Quantico for DNA analysis. He claimed a fixed-wing aircraft was ready to transport evidence overnight, but the sheriff's department sent it to Florida instead. The FBI later obtained doorbell camera footage showing a man of average build, approximately 5-foot-9 to 5-foot-10, wearing a face mask, gloves, and a black backpack.
Local Authorities' Response
Sheriff Nanos defended the department's actions, stating that coordination with the FBI began immediately. He acknowledged that while Patel was not on the scene, an FBI task force member was present. The sheriff's department held a joint news conference with the FBI two days after Guthrie was reported missing.
Ongoing Investigation
No arrests have been made, and the case remains open. The FBI has not publicly identified a suspect, and the investigation continues.