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By Anna Commander
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The FBI has been blocked from accessing key evidence in the case of the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie by Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos, Reuters reports on Thursday, citing a U.S. law enforcement official with knowledge of the case.
Newsweek reached out to the Pima County Sheriff's Department via email for comment.
Why It Matters
Nancy Guthrie, the mother of NBC Today show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, has been missing for 12 days. The disappearance and search have since sparked nationwide attention. Nanos said items at the scene indicated Nancy did not leave "on her own."
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What To Know
According to Reuters, the U.S. official said the blocked access is "impairing" the FBI in its "ability to assist in the probe."
The FBI asked Nanos to process a glove and DNA from Guthrie's home at the FBI's national crime laboratory in Quantico, Virginia, according to Reuters, but Nanos wanted to use a lab in Florida.
The federal official told Reuters that the county has spent $200,000 thus far sending evidence to the Florida lab. “It risks further slowing a case that grows more urgent by the minute," the official said, per the news outlet, while also mentioning unspecified "earlier setbacks" in the investigation.
"It’s clear the fastest path to answers is leveraging federal resources and technology. Anything less only prolongs the Guthrie family’s grief and the community’s wait for justice,” the official said. Reuters reports that the U.S. law enforcement official also condemned the sheriff's department for not requesting assistance from the FBI sooner.
The Pima County Sheriff's Department previously told Newsweek on Thursday via email that the investigation is being led by the department and FBI, per Nanos.
"Investigators are reviewing all video submitted by neighbors, including any new ones that come in," the sheriff's department added.
The FBI announced on Thursday that it is doubling the reward to $100,000 for information leading to Guthrie's location and/or the arrest and conviction of anyone involved in her disappearance.
The bureau also released an updated description of the "suspect" seen in doorbell camera footage outside Guthrie's home. "The suspect is described as a male, approximately 5’9” - 5’10” tall, with an average build. In the video, he is wearing a black, 25-liter ‘Ozark Trail Hiker Pack’ backpack," the FBI said in its X post in part.
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What People Are Saying
Pima County Sheriff's Department, in a post to X on Thursday: "Investigators are requesting any video showing vehicles, traffic, pedestrians, or suspicious activity from Jan. 1–Feb. 2, 2026, near E. Skyline Dr. & N. Campbell Ave. (2-mile radius)."
What Happens Next
People are urged to call 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) with any information related to the case. The FBI also asks the media to forward any tips they receive to the bureau.
Update 2/12/26, 9:30 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
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