DNA Breakthrough in Nancy Guthrie Case as FBI Examines Black Gloves

As the search for Nancy Guthrie, mother of Today show host Savannah Guthrie, heads into its third week, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) said on February 15 that the glove containing DNA found about two miles from Guthrie's Tucson residence appears to match those worn by the masked person who was recorded outside her home's front door the night she went missing.

The glove was one of approximately 16 gloves collected by investigators in various areas near Nancy Guthrie's residence. The FBI confirmed that most of those gloves belonged to searchers who discarded them while working in the area.

The FBI said that the preliminary results of the DNA testing suggests that the glove belonged to the masked person seen in the video footage. However, the agency awaits final confirmation before putting what it called "the unknown male profile" into The Combined DNA Index System (CoDIS).

According to the FBI's website,the CoDIS is the FBI’s nationwide DNA database used to help solve crimes and identify suspects. It allows federal, state and local crime laboratories to compare DNA profiles and link cases across jurisdictions.

"This process typically takes 24 hours from when the bureau receives DNA," the FBI said.

The FBI had released a description of the person they referred to as a suspect. The man had an average build and an approximate height of 5-foot-9 or 5-foot-10. They said he was wearing a black-colored 25-liter Ozark Trail Hiker Pack backpack in the security video.

Savannah Guthrie took to Instagram on February 15 to issue an appeal to whoever abducted her mother. She said, “I wanted to come on, and um, it's been two weeks since our mom was taken, and I just wanted to come on and say that we still have hope, and we still believe.”

Savannah Guthrie added, “And I wanted to say to whoever has her or knows where she is that it's never too late, and you are not lost or alone. It is never too late to do the right thing, and we are here. We believe, and we believe in the essential goodness of every human being.”

Since the beginning of the case, authorities have employed different tactics and methods to expand their search efforts. Early on in the investigation, the FBI had speculated that Nancy Guthrie had not walked out of the house, willingly. Considering this, the security footage from the Guthrie residence has been collected and is being investigated thoroughly. Similarly, the security footage from CCTV cameras on the street has also been taken in for investigation.

Authorities have been canvassing the area, searching roadways, and looking for any physical evidence that could provide clues about her whereabouts. A few days back, officers from the county sheriff’s office were seen checking septic tanks too, implying authorities are looking into foul play too.

Nancy Guthrie was last seen in her Arizona home on January 31 and has been reported missing since.