Police Look at DNA from Gloves in Search for Missing 84-Year-Old Nancy Guthrie

Police are working hard to find Nancy Guthrie, an 84-year-old woman who has been missing since January 31st. They are looking closely at DNA found on gloves near her home. Her daughter, Savannah Guthrie, is asking everyone to help bring her mother home safely.
By Newsroom | Crime, Arizona |

A mother's disappearance has prompted increasingly urgent pleas from her daughter, while investigators focus on forensic evidence.

Nancy Guthrie, an 84-year-old woman from Tucson, Arizona, was last seen at her home on January 31st. She was reported missing the following day by concerned church members. The case has garnered significant public attention, amplified by her daughter, Savannah Guthrie, a co-anchor of the "Today" show, who has issued a series of public appeals. As the search enters its third week, investigators are analyzing DNA recovered from gloves found near the residence, a key piece of circumstantial evidence.

Savannah Guthrie Urges Captor to 'Do the Right Thing' After Glove Found in Search - 1

Timeline and Key Actors

  • January 31st: Nancy Guthrie is last seen at her home in Tucson, Arizona. A family member had dropped her off after dinner at her other daughter Annie Guthrie's house.

  • February 1st: Nancy Guthrie is reported missing by members of her church.

  • Early February: The FBI becomes involved. Forensic teams collect DNA from Nancy Guthrie's property. Doorbell camera footage captures a man tampering with the camera outside her home.

  • February 15th-16th: Savannah Guthrie releases new video appeals. The FBI analyzes DNA from gloves found near the residence. Investigators conduct a search of a separate residence in a nearby affluent neighborhood.

Read More: Reddit User Removes Epstein Document Tool After Threats

Key Actors:

  • Nancy Guthrie: The 84-year-old woman who has been missing since January 31st.

  • Savannah Guthrie: Nancy Guthrie's daughter, who has been a public face in the search, making appeals for her mother's safe return.

  • FBI: Investigating the disappearance, including DNA analysis and suspect identification.

  • Pima County Sheriff's Department: Cooperating with the FBI, fielding leads and conducting searches.

Evidence Gathered

Investigators have collected several pieces of evidence, primarily focusing on forensic analysis and surveillance footage:

Savannah Guthrie Urges Captor to 'Do the Right Thing' After Glove Found in Search - 2

  • DNA from Property: DNA has been found at Nancy Guthrie's home that does not belong to her or anyone in her immediate circle. Preliminary results suggest it may be from an unknown male.

  • Doorbell Camera Footage: Video from a doorbell camera outside Nancy Guthrie's home shows a man, described as approximately 5'9" to 5'10" tall, wearing a black backpack, tampering with the camera the morning of her disappearance. The man appears to be wearing gloves.

  • Gloves: Approximately 16 gloves have been collected in various areas near Nancy Guthrie's home. DNA has been lifted from at least one of these gloves, and the FBI is actively analyzing these samples for a potential match to a suspect. Some of these collected gloves are identified as searchers' gloves, discarded during the search efforts.

  • Blood on Porch: Blood found on the front porch of Nancy Guthrie's home has been identified as hers.

The Public Appeal

Savannah Guthrie has made multiple public appeals, often directly addressing the individual(s) believed to be holding her mother. These pleas, shared via social media, emphasize hope and a call for the responsible party to "do the right thing."

Read More: Questions About Evidence in Nancy Guthrie Case After Many Gloves Found

Savannah Guthrie Urges Captor to 'Do the Right Thing' After Glove Found in Search - 3

"It's never too late to do the right thing." - Savannah Guthrie

The family has expressed a continued belief that Nancy Guthrie is alive and has also previously offered a reward and requested proof of life.

Savannah Guthrie Urges Captor to 'Do the Right Thing' After Glove Found in Search - 4

Investigative Focus: The Glove Evidence

The recovery and analysis of gloves represent a critical avenue for the investigation.

  • Unknown DNA: DNA found on a glove discovered along roadside brush approximately two miles from Nancy Guthrie's home does not match the missing woman or her close contacts.

  • FBI Analysis: The FBI is undertaking the process of matching this DNA against known databases and any potential suspect profiles.

  • Circumstantial Links: The presence of gloves at the scene, coupled with the doorbell camera footage of a masked man wearing gloves, suggests this evidence could be integral to identifying a perpetrator.

Challenges and Unanswered Questions

Despite the forensic evidence and public appeals, investigators face significant hurdles.

Read More: Plan to Lower Cigarette Prices to Fight Illegal Sales Faces Debate

  • No Leading Theory: Sources indicate that investigators have not yet pinpointed a primary motive for Nancy Guthrie's disappearance. All possibilities are reportedly being explored.

  • Suspect Identification: While a suspect has been seen on video, definitive identification remains elusive.

  • Proof of Life: As of recent reports, there has been no verifiable proof of life from Nancy Guthrie since her disappearance, although there has also been no proof of death.

  • Health Risks: Authorities have expressed concern for Nancy Guthrie's well-being, noting her potential reliance on medication and her limited mobility, which would make unassisted departure unlikely.

Expert Perspective

Former FBI special agent Maureen O'Connell commented on the potential use of technology in the search, noting that pacemaker-related detection tools typically operate at a short range, requiring search crews to be in close proximity. The effectiveness of such technology in this case has not been confirmed.

Conclusion and Next Steps

The disappearance of Nancy Guthrie is an active investigation where law enforcement is diligently pursuing multiple lines of inquiry. The analysis of DNA from recovered gloves is a paramount objective, aiming to identify a suspect and potentially ascertain Nancy Guthrie's whereabouts. Savannah Guthrie's public appeals underscore the family's persistent hope for a safe resolution. The ongoing efforts involve extensive lead follow-up, with over 30,000 calls reported to the Pima County Sheriff's Department. The lack of a clear motive or suspect identity, coupled with the time elapsed, increases the urgency of the investigation. Future steps will likely involve further forensic analysis, expanded searches, and continued public engagement for information.

Sources

Read More: Search Continues for Nancy Guthrie, Mother of TV Host Savannah Guthrie

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When was Nancy Guthrie last seen?
Nancy Guthrie was last seen at her home on January 31st. She was reported missing the next day.
Q: What is the main clue police are looking at?
Police are looking at DNA found on gloves found near her home. They hope this will help them find who is responsible.
Q: Has there been any proof of life?
No, there has been no proof that Nancy Guthrie is alive since she went missing. Police are worried about her health.
Q: What is being done to help find her?
Police are doing many things, like checking DNA, looking at video, and searching areas. Savannah Guthrie has also made public requests for help.