TUCSON, Ariz. — The FBI announced a significant forensic development Sunday in the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of Today show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie. Federal agents confirmed that DNA recovered from a glove found roughly two miles from the victim’s home appears to match the profile of the masked individual captured on security footage the night Guthrie vanished.
Nancy Guthrie was last seen on January 31, 2026, after returning to her home in the Catalina Foothills north of Tucson following dinner with family. She was reported missing the next morning when she failed to appear for church services. Since then, the case has gripped the nation, fueled by high-profile pleas from her daughter and a series of chilling clues, including bloodstains on her porch and cryptic ransom notes sent to media outlets.
The Forensic Discovery
The glove was discovered late last week during an extensive ground search involving hundreds of law enforcement officers and volunteers. While approximately 16 gloves were recovered in the rugged desert terrain and along roadsides near the residence, most were quickly identified as belonging to searchers.
However, one specific glove—found in a field near a roadside—was expedited for priority testing at an FBI laboratory. On Sunday, officials said preliminary results indicate that the DNA on the glove belongs to the “subject” seen in the doorbell camera footage.
“This is a critical pivot point in the investigation,” said an FBI spokesperson. “We have transitioned from having a visual profile of a suspect to having a biological one. We are currently awaiting official quality control confirmation before the profile is uploaded to national databases.”
The Suspect on Camera
The footage that has become the centerpiece of the investigation shows a masked individual approaching Guthrie’s front door in the early hours of February 1. The suspect, described by the FBI as a male approximately 5’9” to 5’10” with a medium build, was wearing a ski mask, a jacket, and a 25-liter “Ozark Trail Hiker Pack” backpack.
In the video, the individual is seen holding a flashlight in his mouth and what appears to be a holstered handgun. He is also observed attempting to obscure the camera’s view with leaves and debris. The glove found in the field reportedly matches the style and color of those worn by the suspect in the recording.
Escalating Search Efforts
The DNA breakthrough follows a weekend of high-intensity activity. On Saturday, the Pima County Sheriff’s Department, supported by federal agents, executed a court-ordered search warrant at a residence approximately two miles from the Guthrie home. During the same operation, authorities were seen processing a Range Rover in a nearby parking lot. While officials confirmed the warrant was related to the kidnapping, no arrests were made, and the resident’s identity has not been disclosed.
The pressure to find Guthrie is compounded by her delicate health. According to family and medical records, Guthrie has a pacemaker and requires daily medication for high blood pressure and heart issues.
“We are entering the third week, and every hour matters,” said Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos. “We have received over 30,000 tips, but this DNA evidence is the most tangible lead we have to identify the person who took her.”
Ransom Notes and Cyber Investigation
The case has been further complicated by a series of ransom notes sent to KOLD-TV, TMZ, and other outlets. The notes, which demand payment in Bitcoin, have yet to provide “proof of life.” Cybersecurity experts and the FBI’s cyber division are currently tracing the digital trail of these communications. While some investigators fear the notes could be the work of opportunistic “griefers” or extortionists unrelated to the physical abduction, they are being treated as authentic leads until proven otherwise.
The Guthrie family initially offered to pay the demands but has since focused on supporting the law enforcement search. Savannah Guthrie has used her platform to share personal family videos of her mother, pleading for her safe return and urging anyone with information to come forward.
Community Impact and “True Crime” Tourism
The intense media coverage has brought an influx of “true crime” enthusiasts and amateur detectives to the Tucson area. Local officials have expressed frustration with the presence of YouTubers and bloggers, some of whom have reportedly interfered with active search perimeters.
Arizona State Representative Alma Hernandez issued a stinging rebuke of these individuals on Saturday night, stating, “I am sick of watching the insane speculation and lies by random wannabe journalists who have put this serious case in jeopardy. Please go home and let law enforcement do their jobs.”
Next Steps
The FBI has increased the reward for information leading to Nancy Guthrie’s location or the arrest of those involved to $100,000. Residents within a two-mile radius of the Catalina Foothills home have been asked to review and submit any surveillance or dashcam footage recorded between January 31 and February 2.
With a DNA profile now in hand, investigators are hopeful that a match in the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) will provide the name of the man behind the mask.
Sources and Links
- The Associated Press: FBI: DNA recovered from glove found near Guthrie home (Search Result 1.1, 2.3)
- The Guardian: Authorities appeal for video footage as Nancy Guthrie search enters third week (Search Result 1.5)
- CBS News: Black gloves found in search for Nancy Guthrie, sources say (Search Result 1.3, 1.4)
- FOX News / FOX 10 Phoenix: Found glove appears to match DNA profile of suspect (Search Result 2.1, 2.5)
- CNN: Glove with DNA found near Guthrie home; appears to match doorbell video (Search Result 3.3)
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