The search for84-year-old Nancy Guthriehas entered its fourth week amid growing contention between local law enforcement and volunteer search parties.Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanoshas requested that private groups 'give investigators space' and cease independent canvassing in certain areas. This request, issued on 22 February 2026, has led to allegations from some residents that the department is attempting to limit public oversight.
The friction intensified on 23 February after volunteer groups reported finding several significant items within a mile of the Guthrie home. These included a black jacket and a backpack equipped with reflectors found in local culverts. A black glove was also discovered on a nearby exit road. ThePima County Sheriff's Department (PCSD)has since collected these items for forensic processing.
Mrs Guthrie, the mother of NBC news anchor Savannah Guthrie, was abducted from her home in Arizona on 1 February. While the reward for her safe return has been increased to $200,000 (£154,000), theinvestigation has been hampered by reported procedural disagreements. The Sheriff's Department maintains that the restrictions on volunteers are necessary to preserve the integrity of the crime scene and potential evidence.
Private Search Parties: Volunteer search groups have inquired about being in the area. Per the Sheriff, they were asked to please give investigators the space they need to do their work. 1/3
I’m assuming this is in reference to this photopic.twitter.com/N6pMBwkKc7
An unidentified source toldReutersthatsignificant disagreements have occurred between Sheriff Nanos and the FBI regarding the handling of forensic evidence. Public record requests indicate that the Sheriff's Department opted to send a glove previously found at the scene to a private laboratory in Florida. This decision bypassed the FBI's national laboratory in Quantico, which is the standard facility for federal kidnapping cases.
On 21 February, Sheriff Nanos toldNBC Newsthat DNA recovered from the Guthrie home is 'mixed' and contains genetic material from multiple individuals. He stated that technical limitations at the private laboratory could mean the analysis takes a considerable amount of time to resolve. Mark Lamb, a former Sheriff, is among those who have publicly questioned the efficacy of this forensic strategy.
Sheriff Nanos has dismissed suggestions of a 'cover-up' as speculation. He maintains that his department is working in coordination with federal partners. Despite these assurances, the decision to use a private laboratory remains a central point of the public debate regarding the department's competence in managing a high-profile abduction.
What is Nanos trying to cover up?!?! Let people search for Nancy!
Volunteer searchers are canvassing the neighborhood around Nancy Guthrie's house.They found a backpack that does not match the one in the surveillance video - but deputies came and picked it up.One searcher got emotional saying her mom is around Nancy's age.pic.twitter.com/ho40zcXKHx
Source: International Business Times UK
