Genealogy company exec slams Pima sheriff's 'devastating' move to ship Nancy Guthrie evidence to Florida lab

"This is so devastating," said Othram co-founder Kristen Mittelman. "DNA Labs International is a traditional forensic lab that consumes evidence to make an STR [short tandem repeat] profile, so I don't understand why it didn't go to Quantico, since they can do this better and faster than anyone, and they have a pipeline to flip it immediately to inferring identity with us."

Othram is a Texas-based forensic genetic genealogy lab that was instrumental in helping authorities identify infamous murderer Bryan Kohberger, among other high-profile criminals.

Mittelman stressed that time is "critical" in every case, especially Guthrie's.

A federal law enforcement source told Fox News Digital that the evidence will need to be retested by the FBI anyway.

"It's just the FBI developed this method and can do it so much better without destroying the evidence," the source said. "I've seen so many cases go to Florida and be consumed. Also, they are not as fast, and in this case, time matters."

"It risks further slowing a case that grows more urgent by the minute," the official told Reuters, citing unspecified "earlier setbacks" in the investigation. The official also criticized Nanos for not requesting help from the FBI earlier in the case.

Nanos denied those allegations, telling KOLD that the Pima County Sheriff's Department simply wants all evidence to be examined at the same lab.

The sheriff reiterated that message in an interview with Fox News' Matt Finn on Friday. He told Finn that investigators have been using the Florida lab from the start of the investigation and that Guthrie family DNA, as well as other DNA, had already been sent there. 

"Why split your evidence to two different labs that could create a conflict, but more importantly, it adds that additional step," he said. "This lab has this piece, this lab has that piece. Now they've got to converge those two pieces to make an elimination or identification. No, just send it to one lab, let's go. They're both great labs. They both have great equipment and smart people."

"We trust the FBI's crime lab, we've used them before, but in this case we started with that lab," he said. It's just that simple."

Nanos also denied the claim that his office delayed contacting the FBI for assistance in the case, saying he has no reason not to partner with the federal law enforcement agency, that it would be "absolutely crazy" not to do so, and that his department and the FBI are working well together. He said he called the FBI on Monday, Feb.2, the first business day after the investigation began. 

He also denied releasing the crime scene at Guthrie's home too soon. 

The suspect is described as a male between 5-foot-9 and 5-foot-10, with an average build. He was wearing an Ozark Trail Hiker Pack.

The Pima County Sheriff's Office did not return a comment request.

DNA Labs International declined to comment.

Nancy Guthrie disappearance timeline: Jan. 31, 2026• Between 9:30-9:45 p.m. - Family drops Nancy off at home• 9:50 p.m. - Garage door closes (per authorities)Feb. 1, 2026• 1:47 a.m. - Doorbell camera disconnects• 2:12 a.m. - Security camera detects motion• 2:28 a.m. - Pacemaker disconnects from phone application• 11:56 a.m. - Family checks on Nancy after she misses weekly church livestream gathering• 12:03 p.m. - 911 called• 12:15 p.m. - Sheriff's deputies arrive at home