Kash Patel
The sheriff leading the investigation into the disappearance of Arizona woman Nancy Guthrie has rejected claims by FBI Director Kash Patel that federal agents were prevented from assisting during the crucial early days of the case, saying the bureau was involved from the first day.Speaking on The Sharpe Exchange podcast, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos disputed Patel’s recent remarks that the FBI was kept out of the investigation for four days. Nanos said local investigators contacted the FBI’s Violent Crime Task Force as soon as search and rescue teams recognised the seriousness of the case.”They were there day one just as my team was,” Nanos said. “The concept or the representation that the FBI was held off and boy, we wish we’d have been there early on, that’s not just even accurate.” He added that he believed Patel had been given incorrect information, saying, “I just think he’s misinformed.”
Dispute over evidence handling
Patel criticised local authorities during an appearance on The Sean Hannity Show, saying the FBI had offered assistance but was unable to participate during the early stages of the investigation.”What we, the FBI, do is say, ‘Hey, we’re here to help. What do you need?'” Patel said. “And for four days, we were kept out of the investigation.” He also questioned the decision to send evidence to a private laboratory in Florida instead of the FBI laboratory in Quantico, Virginia.”I had a fixed-wing aircraft on the ground ready to move it immediately through the night,” Patel said. “We would have analyzed it within days and maybe gotten better information or more information. Our lab’s just better than any other private lab out there.”The Pima County Sheriff’s Department has previously maintained that investigators began working with the FBI “without delay.”
Investigation remains active
Nearly six months after 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie disappeared, Nanos said investigators continue to actively pursue the case.”We have a lot of evidence that our scientific labs are working,” he said, adding that authorities are also reviewing video footage with assistance from private companies while following up on “literally thousands of tips.”Nanos also said investigators would immediately disclose any discovery of a burial site, describing such a development as “critical” to the investigation.He added that he would continue supporting Guthrie’s family and said if they believe she is still alive, he would share that hope while the investigation continues.
