FBI Director Discusses Delay in Release of Nancy Guthrie Surveillance Video
Director of the FBI Kash Patel talked about why it took so long to release a photo that could be the subject of the ongoing investigation into the disappearance of Savannah Guthriemother of Nancy Guthrie.
“It was great to be on the force in Arizona with our FBI teams leading the police there,” Patel told Fox News’. Sean Hannity Tuesday, February 10. “Things like this happen when you have a good relationship with private companies. [Donald] Trump introduced this good relationship with these private companies, we were able to do legal searches and go to these private companies and expedite the results.”
Patel described how pictures and photos were found of the masked man outside Nancy’s home.
“[We went] in their systems and they’re actually digging up things that people would normally think would be removed and no one would look for them,” he continued. “And basically – without going into too much detail – that’s how the FBI worked with our private sector partners to pull out things that people thought weren’t there because of some kind of doorbell registration service. But because of this excellent partnership, we were able to take it out, sharpen it with our technical skills at the FBI and put it out there for the world.”
“For an investigation of this magnitude,” Patel stressed the importance of “public assistance.” He emphasized how the FBI released the video “quickly” to allow “any tips” to help “further the investigation.”
When Hannity asked about reports of FBI involvement being “delayed,” Patel replied, “In a kidnapping case or a missing person case, it’s always a state and local law enforcement issue.”
According to Patel, “We’ve always offered our help from the beginning – we took our cues from local law enforcement. We’ve tried and been there and offered all the resources. We’ve shared supplies and put staff and operational units there in Arizona to make sure that local law enforcement has what they need.”
He continued: “But at the end of the day, the FBI is the only one that has the skills – and the technology – to go in there and help local law enforcement to get this kind of information. Not only were we able to get this kind of information, but we were able to exploit the information following our engagement with our private sector partners that showed us that there may be people of interest in this event and the surrounding areas.”
Nancy, 84, was reported missing in Arizona on February 1. Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos continued to provide updates on the case after revealing that Nancy’s disappearance was being investigated as a crime.
Amid reports that ransom letters had been received, one of which reportedly demanded $6 million in Bitcoin, the FBI released video on Tuesday of a masked man outside Nancy’s home who appeared to have a gun.
“We are protecting the integrity of the investigation but we are also going public because there is a case against the public,” Patel continued on Tuesday. “All resources have been dedicated to this investigation, they will continue on the ground and get everything and anything they need from the FBI.”
Today viewers gather around Savannah Guthrie and her family. News broke on Sunday, February 1, that Savannah’s mother, Nancy Guthrie, had gone missing in Arizona. The next morning, Savannah was not on the Today show but released a statement on behalf of her family. “On behalf of our family, I would like to thank everyone […]
After the images were released, the Pima County Police Department confirmed that a person was arrested during the traffic stop and was being questioned in connection with the investigation. This man, who called himself Carlos, was later released and denied that he was involved in Nancy’s disappearance.
According to Patel, there are “persons of interest” being watched as the investigation continues.
“But as you know about any investigation, you are a person of interest until it is finished or you are found to be the cause,” he said on Tuesday. “I can only say that we will interview and investigate everyone who we think is involved in this or who has information related to this.”
He concluded by saying: “We will use all of our capabilities without revealing them to move this investigation forward. That is what you have seen play out here. In the last 36 hours, the FBI has appeared to work with their partners [the] private industry and use unmined information that people thought didn’t exist and was removed. “
