FBI Tests DNA Evidence in Nancy Guthrie Case as Search Effort Intensifies

Post by : Saif Nasser

Federal investigators are moving ahead with detailed DNA testing in the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie after a glove found near her Arizona home was linked to a masked suspect seen on security video. Officials believe this evidence could play a major role in identifying the person responsible and moving the case closer to a breakthrough.

Nancy Guthrie, 84, is the mother of television journalist Savannah Guthrie. She was last seen at the end of January when family members dropped her off at her home near Tucson after a meal together. She was reported missing the next day. Since then, local deputies and federal agents have carried out wide searches, collected physical evidence, and reviewed camera footage from the area.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation said a glove recovered in a field about two miles from the house appears to match the gloves worn by a masked prowler recorded by a doorbell camera shortly before the disappearance. Investigators gathered around 16 gloves during their searches, but most were later found to belong to volunteers and search teams. One glove, however, looked different and closely matched what the suspect wore in the video.

That glove has now been tested for DNA. A private crime lab first reviewed the sample, and federal agents are completing quality checks before running the profile through the national DNA database system. This system compares crime scene DNA with records from past cases and known individuals. If the suspect’s DNA is already on file, officials say a match could come quickly.

Authorities believe the masked person seen on video is the main suspect. The individual appeared to be wearing a ski mask, gloves, a holstered weapon, and a large backpack. The footage shows the person attempting to disable the home’s door camera in the early morning hours. Investigators say the victim had very limited physical mobility and could not have left the house on her own, leading them to treat the case as an abduction from the start.

The Pima County Sheriff's Department has confirmed that blood found on the front porch belonged to Nancy Guthrie. Other DNA samples collected at the property did not match family members, but final lab reports on those samples have not yet been released. Search warrants have also been carried out at nearby homes, and one person was questioned after a related traffic stop, though no arrests have been announced.

Savannah Guthrie has posted several public video messages asking for help and urging whoever is responsible to release her mother safely. In her latest message, she said the family still believes in hope and asked anyone with information to come forward. Family members have also said they are willing to cooperate fully and respond if real ransom demands are made. So far, officials say no confirmed direct contact has been established between the suspected kidnappers and the family.

Reports say at least two ransom-style notes were sent to media outlets, but investigators are still checking whether those messages are truly connected to the case. Police warn that high-profile cases often attract false tips and misleading claims, which can slow down real investigative work.

The situation has created strong public concern because of the victim’s age and health condition. Authorities say she depends on daily medication and medical support. Each passing day increases the urgency for clear answers. Officers continue to search areas around the home and review new tips from the public.

This case shows how modern forensic science has become central to police investigations. DNA testing, digital video, and database matching can provide leads that were not possible years ago. At the same time, experts stress that every lab result must be carefully confirmed and correctly handled so it can stand up in court. A DNA match alone is not the end of a case, but it can strongly guide the next steps.

Investigators say they are working steadily and carefully, even under heavy public attention. They have asked people not to spread rumors and to rely only on verified updates. For now, the DNA results from the recovered glove are seen as one of the most important developments. If the database search produces a match, it could quickly point detectives toward the suspect seen in the video and bring the investigation closer to resolution.