Local Sheriff's Choice Slows Down FBI's Help in Missing Person Case

A local sheriff's decision to use a private lab instead of the FBI's resources is causing delays in solving the case of a missing elderly woman. The FBI wanted to analyze key evidence, like a glove and DNA samples, at their advanced lab in Virginia. But the Pima County Sheriff, Chris Nanos, chose to send the evidence to a private lab in Florida instead. This choice is making it harder for the FBI to help with the investigation. The FBI has better technology and resources, but they can't use them if they don't have access to the evidence. The sheriff's office has already spent around $200, 000 sending evidence to the private lab.A law enforcement official said this decision is slowing down the investigation, which is becoming more urgent every day. They also mentioned that the sheriff should have asked for FBI help earlier. The official believes using federal resources would be the fastest way to find answers and bring justice to the Guthrie family and the community. The search for Nancy Guthrie, an 84-year-old woman, has been going on for 12 days. Investigators think she might have been kidnapped for ransom. The tension between the sheriff's department and the FBI is making the situation even more complicated.