‘It’s never too late’: Search for Nancy Guthrie enters third week as additional DNA testing is conducted

TUCSON, Ariz. — The Pima County Sheriff’s Department is operating on the belief that Nancy Guthrie is still alive as the search for her enters a third week. 

Guthrie, 84, is suspected to have been kidnapped from her Catalina Foothills home in the middle of the night on Feb. 1. 

As of Sunday, law enforcement have reported no signs of Guthrie.

“It’s never too late to do the right thing,” TODAY host Savannah Guthrie said in a new video shared on Sunday.

Savannah Guthrie is once again hoping the person who took her mother is listening. 

“We still have hope and we still believe,” Savannah Guthrie said.  “We believe in the essential goodness of every human being and it’s never too late.”

Neither a suspect nor a person of interest has been named, but investigators are trying to identify a person seen on surveillance video tampering with Guthrie’s doorbell camera the night she disappeared.

According to the FBI, the glove the person is seen wearing in the that video appears to be consistent with a glove recovered approximately two miles away from Guthrie’s home. 

The glove produced an unknown male DNA profile, and in the next 24 hours, is expected to be uploaded into CODIS, a nationwide database that holds DNA samples from other crime scenes, convicted offenders and missing people. 

“DNA can play a tremendous role. DNA can provide that investigative lead that breaks a case,” April Stonehouse, a forensic analyst and CODIS administrator, said.

Stonehouse explained if there is a match, it needs to be retested and confirmed before identifying the person of interest. If there is not a match, investigators can try linking the DNA through genetic genealogy. 

“Because CODIS is searched every 24 hours, I think we should hopefully have some information here very soon,” Stonehouse said.

The FBI hasn’t said if Guthrie’s DNA was found on the outside of the glove, which is something Stonehouse said the lab is likely checking for. 

“We have to be very cautious about how to proceed, because if you develop a male DNA profile on a pair of gloves, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s related to the crime,” Stonehouse said.

Troy Hillman, a retired Phoenix Police sergeant, told 12News whoever the DNA belongs to will likely be questioned. 

“That person will have some explaining to do as to how it got there,” Hillman said.

The FBI reported finding approximately 16 gloves during searches of the Catalina Foothills community. Most of those gloves were discarded by people searching the area.

Even if the glove being tested turns out not to be connected to the case, Hillman said it’s important for investigators to check every possible lead that comes their way. 

“There is obviously a sense of urgency because Nancy is still out there,” Hillman said.

A $100,000 reward is being offered to anyone who helps bring Guthrie home or to anyone who helps lead to an arrest and conviction in this case. 

Call tips in to 1-800-CALL-FBI or 520-351-4900.

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