FBI Intensifies Search for Abducted Mother of TV Journalist Savannah Guthrie
In a dramatic escalation of efforts, sheriff’s deputies and FBI agents have expanded their search across southern Arizona, scouring highways, vacant lots, and remote dwellings for clues related to the abduction of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of U.S. television journalist Savannah Guthrie. As the investigation enters its 11th day, authorities are focusing on forensic tests of a newly discovered black latex glove found discarded on a roadside approximately 1.5 miles from Guthrie’s home, where she is believed to have been kidnapped for ransom.
Advanced Forensic Analysis Underway
A law enforcement official briefed on the case revealed that investigators are conducting detailed forensic examinations on the glove, searching for fingerprints and potential DNA samples. This evidence is being compared to video footage released by authorities on Tuesday, which shows an armed man in a ski mask tampering with Guthrie’s doorbell camera around the time of her disappearance. It remains unclear whether the glove matches the pair worn by the suspect in the video.
Nancy Guthrie was last seen on January 31 after being dropped off at her home following an evening dinner with family. Relatives reported her missing the following day, prompting a widespread search. Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos has stated that due to her extremely limited mobility, Guthrie could not have wandered far unassisted, leading investigators to conclude she was abducted by force.
Utilizing Technology in the Investigation
As police and forensic analysts comb the outskirts of Tucson for additional physical evidence, the newly released video is undergoing "advanced analytics" to enhance the image of the masked intruder. A former FBI agent explained that investigators are likely attempting to identify facial features through the fabric of the ski mask using special mathematical techniques and artificial intelligence. These methods involve measuring facial geometry, such as the shape and distance between eyes, ears, and other features, to cross-reference with databases for potential matches.
Officials confirmed last week that traces of blood found on Guthrie’s front porch were hers, based on DNA tests. She is described as being in frail health and requiring daily medication to survive. At least two purported ransom notes have surfaced since her disappearance, both delivered to news media outlets with deadlines that have passed, but no proof of life has been provided.
Break in the Case and Ongoing Efforts
An apparent development occurred late Tuesday when the sheriff’s office announced that a subject of the investigation was detained for questioning following a traffic stop in Pima County. However, the individual was later released without charges. Additionally, deputies and an FBI forensic team conducted a court-authorized search of a location in Rio Rico, Arizona, about 60 miles south of Tucson near the Mexico border. The man who claimed to be detained reported living at the searched address.
Hundreds of law enforcement personnel have been assigned to the case, receiving nearly 18,000 phone tips since February 1, with more than a quarter of those coming in the last 24 hours. Savannah Guthrie, co-anchor of NBC News’ "Today" show, has posted video messages with her siblings, appealing to the captors for her mother’s return, pleading for public assistance, and expressing willingness to meet ransom demands.
The search continues as authorities leverage every available resource to resolve this high-profile abduction case, emphasizing the urgency and complexity of the investigation in the harsh desert landscape of Arizona.
