TUCSON, Ariz. — A significant development in the search for Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of “Today” show co-host Savannah Guthrie, has emerged: DNA recovered from a glove found near her Tucson home appears to match that of the masked suspect seen on surveillance footage the night she disappeared. The FBI announced the preliminary findings on Sunday, adding a crucial piece of evidence to the ongoing investigation.
The glove was discovered approximately two miles from Guthrie’s residence in a field beside a road and was immediately sent for DNA analysis. Although awaiting official confirmation, authorities believe the DNA is a match to the individual captured on camera approaching Guthrie’s home on January 31st, the night she was last seen. The discovery comes as law enforcement enters its third week of searching for Guthrie, who was reported missing on February 1st.
Savannah Guthrie issued a heartfelt plea on Instagram Sunday evening, appealing to anyone with information about her mother’s whereabouts. “It is never too late to do the right thing,” she said in the video. “And we are here. And we believe in the essential goodness of every human being, that it’s never too late.”
Authorities previously stated that blood was found on the front porch of Guthrie’s home, and that purported ransom notes were sent to news outlets, though two deadlines for payment have passed without resolution. The FBI officially designated the individual in the surveillance footage as a suspect on Thursday, describing him as a man around 5 feet 9 inches tall with a medium build, carrying a 25-liter “Ozark Trail Hiker Pack” backpack.
The investigation has involved extensive searches and heightened law enforcement activity in the Tucson area. Late Friday night, a road about two miles from Guthrie’s home was blocked off as sheriff’s and FBI vehicles, including forensics teams, conducted a thorough search. A Range Rover SUV was also tagged and towed from a nearby restaurant parking lot as part of the investigation, though no arrests were made, according to the Pima County Sheriff’s Department.
Earlier in the week, deputies briefly detained an individual for questioning during a traffic stop south of Tucson, but the person was later released. A court-authorized search was also conducted in Rio Rico, approximately an hour south of Tucson, on Tuesday. Authorities have expressed concern for Guthrie’s health, noting she requires daily medication and has a pacemaker, as well as a history of high blood pressure and heart issues, according to broadcastify.com.
Investigators have also been analyzing DNA collected from Guthrie’s property that does not belong to her or her close contacts. Approximately 16 gloves were found near the house, most of which were identified as belonging to search teams, according to the FBI.
The FBI is continuing to analyze the DNA evidence and pursue all leads in the case. The investigation remains active and ongoing, with authorities urging anyone with information to approach forward.
As the search continues, the community remains vigilant, hoping for the safe return of Nancy Guthrie. The focus now shifts to confirming the DNA match and identifying the suspect, bringing investigators one step closer to unraveling the mystery surrounding her disappearance.
Authorities have not released a timeline for when they expect to have a confirmed identification of the suspect. The investigation is ongoing, and updates will be provided as they become available.
If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, please contact the Pima County Sheriff’s Department or the FBI.