Report: Arizona Sheriff Blocks FBI from Guthrie Home DNA Check
The Investigation into Nancy Guthrie's Disappearance Intensifies
The disappearance of 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie, the mother of Today Show host Savannah Guthrie, has taken a new turn as law enforcement agencies continue to search for answers. A critical piece of evidence—a black glove found near her home—has become a focal point in the case. However, the situation has raised concerns about the collaboration between local and federal authorities.
According to a federal source, the Pima County Sheriff’s Department, which is leading the investigation, has reportedly blocked the FBI from accessing the glove and DNA samples found inside Nancy’s home. Instead, the department sent the evidence to a private lab in Florida, a move that has drawn criticism from federal officials.
"It risks further slowing a case that grows more urgent by the minute," one official said, noting that the department has already spent around $200,000 on sending evidence to the Florida lab. This decision has been seen as a setback in an already challenging investigation.
New Clues Emerge from Surveillance Footage
Federal agents have released updated details about the suspect captured on surveillance footage from the night Nancy went missing. The man was seen wearing thick gloves and attempting to obscure a doorbell camera on Nancy’s front porch. Based on this footage, the FBI has refined the suspect’s profile, describing him as a male approximately 5ft 9in to 5ft 10in tall with an average build. He was also seen carrying a black 25-liter Ozark Trail Hiker Pack backpack.
This updated description aims to help narrow down potential leads. Since Nancy’s disappearance, over 13,000 tips have been received, according to the FBI. The agency emphasized the importance of public assistance in finding the suspect.
Increased Reward and Expanded Search Efforts
In a bid to encourage more public involvement, the FBI has doubled the reward for information leading to Nancy’s location or the arrest of those involved in her abduction. The reward now stands at $100,000, up from the previous $50,000.
At the same time, the Pima County Sheriff’s Department has expanded its request for security video from Nancy’s neighbors in the Catalina Foothills. They are asking residents to check for any footage taken between 9pm and midnight on January 11, nearly three weeks before Nancy went missing. Additionally, they are requesting footage from 9:30am to 11am on January 31, when a suspicious vehicle was reportedly spotted in the area.
Unusual Activity at the Scene
On Thursday, four officers were seen arriving at Guthrie’s home in an unmarked black vehicle, carrying a bag into a tent set up at the property. Others brought in additional equipment. The large tent, which blocked the entrance to the home and the front porch where investigators previously found blood matching Nancy’s DNA, was later removed. It remains unclear what authorities were looking for, but forensic tents are typically used to conceal critical evidence such as a body or weapon.
Despite the ongoing efforts, some critics have expressed frustration with the handling of the case. One Pima County Sheriff’s source told the Daily Mail, "This is amateur hour."
Digital Forensic Sweep and Ransom Notes
Meanwhile, investigators have conducted a digital forensic sweep at the Cioni residence, where Nancy’s eldest daughter and son-in-law live. Some federal agents were seen searching the rugged scrubland around Guthrie’s home, while others emerged from the Cioni home with a paper grocery stack and a white trash bag. One agent, still wearing blue protective gloves, took a stack of letters from the couple’s roadside mailbox before driving away without speaking to reporters.
Nancy was last seen on January 31 after returning home from dinner and a game night with her daughter Annie. She was reported missing on February 1 after failing to show up for virtual church services. Since then, she has not been seen or heard from, and her children have repeatedly pleaded with the public for help.
Heartfelt Messages from Family
Savannah Guthrie shared a heartfelt video tribute to her mother on Thursday, expressing her family’s determination to find her. “Our lovely mom,” she wrote. “We will never give up on her. Thank you for your prayers and hope.”
Ransom Note and New Evidence
The investigation has also taken a troubling turn with the receipt of a third ransom note. TMZ reported that the note demanded one Bitcoin in exchange for information on Nancy’s kidnapping. The message allegedly included a legitimate Bitcoin address, different from the one in a previous ransom note.
As the search enters its third week, the community remains on edge, hoping for news that brings closure to this heartbreaking case.
