The search for Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of NBC News’ Savannah Guthrie, continues to captivate the nation as it approaches its two-week mark. Authorities are now investigating DNA evidence collected from the Guthrie property that does not belong to Nancy Guthrie or anyone in close contact with her, according to the Pima County Sheriff’s Department.
The FBI has released identifying details of a person of interest seen on video footage from the morning of February 1, the day Nancy Guthrie was reported missing. The individual is described as a male, between 5’9” and 5’10” tall, with an average build and was wearing a black, 25-liter Ozark Trail Hiker Pack backpack. The FBI has increased the reward for information leading to an arrest or conviction to $100,000, having already received over 13,000 tips from the public.
Nancy Guthrie was last seen after being dropped off at her home outside Tucson, Arizona, on the night of January 31 following time spent with family. She failed to appear for a scheduled virtual church service with a friend on February 1, prompting the missing person report. A man was briefly detained for questioning earlier this week but was released without charges after speaking with investigators.
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department has been actively searching the foothills surrounding Nancy Guthrie’s neighborhood, recovering several items, including gloves submitted for DNA testing. Police activity was observed in Nancy Guthrie’s neighborhood on Thursday night, February 12, according to a spokesperson for the Pima County Sheriff’s Department.
The investigation has drawn significant media attention, with reporters from across the globe converging on Tucson. Several journalists covering the story have personal connections to Savannah Guthrie, adding an emotional dimension to the reporting. Neighbors have shown support for the Guthrie family, leaving flowers and candles near her mailbox and expressing their belief that news coverage is critical to finding Nancy Guthrie.
CNN will air a special report, “What Happened to Nancy Guthrie?” as part of “The Whole Story with Anderson Cooper” on Sunday at 8 p.m. ET. NewsNation will also broadcast a special, “Missing: The Nancy Guthrie Mystery,” on Saturday at 8 p.m. ET.
