Authorities in Pima County, Arizona, have confirmed that DNA taken from a glove discovered near the home of missing 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie, mother of NBC anchor Savannah Guthrie, produced no matches in the FBI’s Codis database.
Glove discovery and DNA testing
The glove was found roughly two miles (3.2 km) from Guthrie’s home in Tucson and appeared similar to one worn by a suspect seen in doorbell-camera footage from the night she disappeared on 1 February. DNA from the glove was sent for testing on Thursday, but no matches were returned.
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos told the BBC that despite the lack of matches, the DNA could still play an important role in solving the case. He described Guthrie as a victim of a targeted abduction, likely being held somewhere near her home, and expressed confidence that authorities would locate her, “whether it takes 10 days, 10 months, or worse.”
Investigation details
Detectives have received nearly 40,000 tips from the public, and the investigation has included multiple items collected from areas near Guthrie’s residence. Most turned out to be discarded by people searching for her.
Video released from Guthrie’s doorbell camera shows a masked man wearing gloves and a backpack. In the footage, the suspect approaches the camera, tries to cover it with his gloved hand, and moves brush from the front yard to block the camera’s view. Forensic analysis suggests the man is between 5ft 9in and 5ft 10in (175–177cm) tall with an average build.
Authorities are also working with Walmart to trace the purchase of the backpack seen in the video.
Other investigative leads
Sheriff Nanos confirmed that additional DNA recovered from Guthrie’s home is under analysis and investigators are exploring other “investigative genetic genealogy” databases for potential matches.
Authorities have clarified that Guthrie’s family members, including her children and their spouses, are not considered suspects, with Nanos referring to them as “victims” of the disappearance.
Family appeals
In the two weeks since her disappearance, Guthrie’s three children have posted multiple online videos appealing for her safe return. Over the weekend, Savannah Guthrie addressed a potential kidnapper directly, saying:
“It is never too late to do the right thing. We are here and… we believe in the essential goodness of every human being.”
The sheriff’s department has not made any arrests, and the search continues actively.
Also read: Nancy Guthrie search enters third week
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