Breakthrough in Nancy Guthrie Investigation: Unknown DNA Reportedly Found

On February 13, law enforcement officials revealed that they found DNA evidence that did not belong to Nancy Guthrie or any of her "close contacts." This marks a major breakthrough in the case, which is entering its second week of investigation.

On Friday, February 13, approximately two weeks after Nancy Guthrie went missing, law enforcement officials told PEOPLE magazine that DNA evidence was found at the scene. Although they do not yet know who this DNA belongs to, they have already determined that it does not belong to Nancy or any of her “close contacts.”

"DNA other than Nancy Guthrie’s and those in close contact to her has been collected from the property," the Pima County Sheriff's Department (PSCD) said in a statement. "Investigators are working to identify who it belongs to. We are not disclosing where that DNA was located."

In addition to this new DNA evidence, law enforcement officials also reported that “several gloves” were found during their investigation. The closest pair of gloves was located approximately two miles from the home. Police emphasized that reports that a glove was found inside her home, or on the property, were “inaccurate.”

"Reports that a glove was found inside the residence or on the property are inaccurate. All collected evidence has been submitted for laboratory analysis," the PCSD continued. At this time, they emphasized that "investigators are not ruling out any individuals or possibilities."

Nancy Guthrie is the 84-year-old mother of “Today” show co-host Savannah Guthrie. She was last seen at her home in Tucson, Arizona, on the night of January 31. She was reported missing by her family around noon on February 1.

At this time, her whereabouts remain unknown. Law enforcement officials have previously disclosed that they found blood on the exterior porch of Guthrie’s home that matches her DNA. Several items, such as the gloves found two miles from her home, are currently undergoing forensic analysis.

On February 12, the FBI announced on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, that they were increasing their reward “up to $100,000 for information leading to the location of Nancy Guthrie and/or the arrest and conviction of anyone involved in her disappearance.”

In the tweet, they describe the suspect as “a male, approximately 5’9” - 5’10” tall, with an average build.” In a video released of the suspect, they describe that he “is wearing a black, 25-liter ‘Ozark Trail Hiker Pack’ backpack.”

However, the increase in award money has some concerned. Retired FBI agent Jennifer Coffindaffer spoke to Newsweek about the case, revealing that the increase in reward money was a worrying sign.

"When you see a case quiet, where there's no big amount of money offered, that means they are running leads, they really don't need the public's help,” she explained. “They need the public’s help right now.”

Coffindaffer also expressed concern that an increase in the reward money will lead to “completely bogus” tips, making it difficult for law enforcement officials to follow authentic leads.

"You will very seldom see these big reward amounts in comparison to the number of cases the FBI has," she said. "It's because they don't want to get everybody coming out of the woodwork."

As The Blast previously reported, investigators have reportedly received over twenty thousand tips since Guthrie was first reported missing.

Forensic consultant Dr. Ron Martinelli told HELLO! Magazine also spoke to the case's timeline, noting that it was "unusual" that this type of high-profile missing-person case had gone on for nearly two weeks without a solid lead.

"I would say that it's unusual that this type of kidnapping has gone on for 12 days," Martinelli said. "The things that really bother me about this case is that there has been no proof of life after 12 days. And then whoever has represented themselves as being the kidnappers keeps moving the date of the ransom… That's extremely unusual, and that's distressing."