In a raw and deeply personal appeal shared late Sunday night, Today show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie addressed the person or persons responsible for her mother’s disappearance, marking a somber two-week milestone in the investigation. Her direct plea came just as federal investigators confirmed a major forensic breakthrough: the recovery of an “unknown male DNA profile” from a glove found near the scene.
The New Plea: “You Are Not Alone”
Visible emotion marked Savannah Guthrie’s latest Instagram video, where she spoke directly into the camera to reach whoever might be holding 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie.
“It’s been two weeks since our mom was taken, and I just wanted to come on and say we still have hope, and we still believe,” Savannah said. “I wanted to say to whoever has her, or knows where she is, that it’s never too late. And you’re not lost or alone. And it is never too late to do the right thing.”
The video, which has since garnered tens of thousands of supportive comments, followed a heartbreaking montage Savannah posted earlier in the weekend. That post featured Nancy with her three children—Annie, Camron, and Savannah—and was captioned with a resolute vow: “We will never give up on her.” The family has maintained a consistent message of mercy and cooperation, previously stating they would engage with ransom demands if provided with “proof of life.”
DNA Breakthrough: The Black Nitrile Glove
While Savannah’s plea focused on the human element of the tragedy, the FBI and Pima County Sheriff’s Department have pivoted to a critical piece of physical evidence. Investigators recovered a black nitrile glove—layered over a second glove—in a field approximately two miles from Nancy’s Catalina Foothills home.
The item was rushed to a private laboratory in Florida for expedited testing. On Saturday, February 14, the FBI confirmed the glove yielded a distinct male DNA profile. Crucially, authorities stated this profile does not match any of Nancy’s close contacts or family members. The profile is currently being processed for entry into CODIS (Combined DNA Index System), the national database that cross-references forensic samples with known criminal offenders. A formal match or “hit” could identify a suspect within the next 24 to 48 hours.
Car Seizures and Parking Lot Operations
The forensic update follows a series of aggressive law enforcement maneuvers. Late Friday night, FBI agents and Pima County deputies converged on a Culver’s restaurant parking lot just two miles from the Guthrie residence.
- The Range Rover: A gray Range Rover SUV was surrounded, searched, and eventually towed for forensic processing.
- Detentions: A man was detained at the restaurant for questioning but was later released. Simultaneously, a SWAT team executed a search warrant at a nearby home, detaining three individuals—two men and one of their mothers. All were released after questioning, with Sheriff Chris Nanos describing the activity as “working a high-priority lead.”
- Evidence Gathering: Investigators are currently checking the interior of the seized vehicle for any biological evidence or “digital footprints” that might link it to Nancy’s property.
The Suspect and Medical Urgency
The FBI has sharpened its description of the primary suspect based on Google Nest footage recorded the night of the disappearance. The suspect is described as:
- Physicality: Male, approximately 5’9” to 5’10”, medium build.
- Equipment: Wearing a black 25-liter Ozark Trail Hiker Pack (a Walmart-exclusive brand), a ski mask, and a holstered firearm.
The search remains a race against time due to Nancy’s fragile health. She relies on a pacemaker and daily medication for high blood pressure and heart complications. Digital forensics recently revealed that her pacemaker stopped syncing with her Apple Watch in the early hours of February 1, suggesting that was the moment her normal routine was violently interrupted.
As the investigation enters day 16, the FBI continues to offer a $100,000 reward for any information leading to Nancy Guthrie’s safe return.
Sources and Links
- NPR: Savannah Guthrie issues new plea for her mom’s return as police test DNA
- CBS News: Savannah Guthrie posts new video: “It is never too late to do the right thing”
- Times of India: FBI DNA breakthrough in Nancy Guthrie case spurs hope
- Fox News Digital: Range Rover seized, man detained in hunt for Nancy Guthrie
- Hindustan Times: How many people were detained during search for Nancy Guthrie?
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