Sources say local police may have slowed down the FBI’s early efforts in the search for Nancy Guthrie, citing delayed communication between local authorities and federal agents, Fox News reported.
Greg Yovane, a former hostage negotiator for the New York Police Department, told Fox News he was “not surprised” by reports of friction, adding that federal agents arrived in Tucson last week to what anonymous sources described as an “icy welcome” amid the ongoing investigation. (RELATED: FBI Unveils Surveillance Photos Of Masked Figure In Nancy Guthrie Case)
The source further alleged that law enforcement officials delayed fully cooperating with federal investigators, claiming “days went by” before local authorities brought the FBI into the investigation.
Yovane echoed that assessment, telling the outlet he believed local officials were initially “getting in the way.”
“That’s what’s happening today,” Yovane said. “It shouldn’t be happening.”
Yovane added that federal agents had unfairly borne the blame for early setbacks in the case, but said he believed the tension had since eased. He told the outlet that local police and federal agents now appear to be working together, though he acknowledged that valuable time was ost at the outset of the investigation.
JUST IN- Local law enforcement delayed cooperation with federal investigators in Nancy Guthrie case: sourceshttps://t.co/6WxXTOo1OQ
— Jack Posobiec (@JackPosobiec) February 10, 2026
Savannah Guthrie appealed to the public for help Monday, saying local authorities were “working tirelessly” to bring her mother home.
A major development followed Tuesday, when FBI Director Kash Patel released surveillance images that appeared to show a masked individual disabling Guthrie’s doorbell camera — the first visual evidence suggesting a possible suspect in the case.
.@PressSec: “I was once again with @POTUS. He and I were both reviewing the newly-released surveillance footage from @FBI… The President encourages any American across the country with any knowledge of this suspect to please call the FBI.” https://t.co/uSwydwvtuq pic.twitter.com/qnI7wMIq4j
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) February 10, 2026
Nancy Guthrie has not been seen or heard from since the night of Jan. 31 and is believed to have been taken from her home against her will, without medication authorities say she needs to survive.
Investigators reportedly found a trail of blood at her doorstep.
New images in the search for Nancy Guthrie:
Over the last eight days, the FBI and Pima County Sheriff’s Department have been working closely with our private sector partners to continue to recover any images or video footage from Nancy Guthrie’s home that may have been lost,… pic.twitter.com/z5WLgPtZpT
— FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) February 10, 2026
Two alleged ransom notes were later sent to media outletst demanding a $6 million cryptocurrency payment. The deadlines outlined in those messages have passed. Authorities have reported no proof of life and have not confirmed whether any ransom was paid.
The investigation remains ongoing.