Savannah Guthrie has issued a fresh emotional appeal for the safe return of her 84-year-old mother, Nancy Guthrie, nearly three weeks after she disappeared from her home in Tucson, Arizona.
The US television presenter urged anyone involved to come forward, saying “it’s never too late to do the right thing”, as the FBI confirmed it is analysing DNA recovered from a glove believed to be linked to a suspect.
The case has sparked major public concern in the United States due to Nancy Guthrie’s age and reported health issues, with investigators warning she may be at risk without medication.
What happened to Savannah Guthrie’s mother, Nancy Guthrie?
Nancy Guthrie was last seen on 31 January, after a family member dropped her home following a get-together at her daughter Annie’s house. Concern grew the next day when members of her church noticed she did not attend and alerted her family.
Authorities later confirmed they believe Nancy disappeared during the early hours of 1 February, and they are treating the case as a suspected kidnapping.
Police and federal investigators have since launched a large-scale search operation involving helicopters, sniffer dogs, and hundreds of officers, while processing thousands of public tips.
Why does the FBI believe the case may involve a kidnapping?
Investigators have focused on doorbell camera footage captured outside Nancy Guthrie’s home around the time she vanished.
The video shows a masked man wearing gloves and a backpack approaching the property. The suspect appears to reach towards the camera, attempting to block its view. He then uses a brush from the front yard to cover the lens.
Authorities believe this activity suggests planning and intent, rather than an accidental disappearance.
What did Savannah Guthrie say in her latest plea?
In her newest video message, Savannah Guthrie spoke directly to the person she believes may be holding her mother, or anyone who knows where she is.
“To whoever has her, or knows where she is… it is never too late to do the right thing.”
She added that her family continues to hope Nancy is alive and asked anyone with information to contact law enforcement.
The TV anchor also stressed the emotional toll on the family, describing the past two weeks as unbearable while they wait for answers.
What does the glove DNA evidence mean for the investigation?
A major new development emerged after investigators recovered a glove from a field roughly two miles from Nancy Guthrie’s home.
Officials said they collected around 16 gloves in total from nearby locations, but most appeared to have been discarded by volunteers and members of the public during the search effort.
However, one glove stood out. Authorities said the glove contained a DNA profile and appears to match the type of glove worn by the masked suspect seen in surveillance footage.
The FBI confirmed it has received preliminary test results and is now waiting for full verification before placing the DNA profile into its national database.
If confirmed, this could become the strongest physical evidence linking a suspect to the case so far.
What does the suspect look like, according to investigators?
Following forensic review of the doorbell footage, investigators described the suspect as:
- A male believed to be between 5ft 9in and 5ft 10in (175–177cm)
- Average build
- Wearing a mask, gloves, and a backpack
- Seen attempting to obstruct the doorbell camera
Investigators also identified the backpack as a 25-litre Ozark Trail Hiker Pack, a product widely available in the United States.
Authorities have said the suspect description remains a key focus, but they are not ruling out other possibilities.
Have police made any arrests yet?
No arrests have been made so far. Officials confirmed that investigators executed a search warrant at a residence about two miles from Nancy Guthrie’s home in recent days, but no one was taken into custody.
Authorities have also confirmed they found DNA evidence at the home that did not belong to Nancy Guthrie or her close relatives, and this evidence is being analysed alongside other findings.
How big is the reward for information?
Investigators have increased the reward for information from $50,000 to $100,000, which is roughly £36,700 to £73,400.
The increased reward reflects the seriousness of the investigation and the urgency surrounding Nancy Guthrie’s safety.
Why has this case gained so much attention?
The disappearance has attracted global headlines because Savannah Guthrie is a major public figure in American television, best known as a lead anchor on a high-profile morning news programme.
But beyond the celebrity element, the case has struck a chord due to the disturbing nature of the suspected kidnapping, combined with the vulnerability of an elderly missing woman.
It has also reignited public debate about home security and the dangers faced by older people living alone.
What could happen next in the investigation?
Experts say DNA evidence could play a decisive role if it produces a match in criminal databases, or if investigators can link it to a suspect through other forensic techniques.
If the DNA profile is confirmed and entered into national systems, authorities could potentially:
- Identify a known offender
- Link the suspect to other unsolved cases
- Narrow down suspects based on location and criminal history
The FBI and local sheriff’s office are expected to continue analysing CCTV footage, public tips, and forensic evidence in the coming days.
