Community Rallies to Search for Missing Tucson Woman Nancy Guthrie
Volunteers Unite in Search Efforts
On Sunday, a group of over a dozen volunteers gathered in the Catalina Foothills area of Tucson to assist in the search for Nancy Guthrie, who has been missing for three weeks. The 84-year-old, mother of "Today" co-host Savannah Guthrie, was last seen at her home during the early hours of February 1. This search effort followed a statement from Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos, who revealed that DNA evidence collected from the scene has yet to identify any suspects.
In a recent NBC interview, Sheriff Nanos mentioned that a mixed DNA sample sent to a lab in Florida could take an extended period—ranging from weeks to potentially a year—to analyze. Some DNA evidence has already been processed, including blood found on the porch, which was confirmed to belong to Guthrie. However, a suspicious glove found approximately two miles from her residence, which resembled those worn by a masked figure captured on her doorbell camera, did not match any known offenders in the FBI’s CODIS database.
Sources indicated that the mixed DNA from inside the home has only yielded a partial profile, which is inadequate for comparison against CODIS. Genetic genealogy experts suggest that alternative methods may still be applicable. Unlike CODIS, which uses short tandem repeat (STR) testing to compare 20 genetic markers, investigative genetic genealogy (IGG) analyzes hundreds of thousands of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers to trace ancestral links.
CeCe Moore, chief genetic genealogist at Parabon Nanolabs, explained that while it is challenging to create a profile from a mixed sample for CODIS, SNP sequencing could be more effective for degraded or incomplete samples. She noted that even partial STR profiles could be utilized to obtain an arrest warrant, despite not being eligible for CODIS comparison.
With limited updates from officials, volunteers organized their own search on Sunday morning. Around 8 AM, 12 to 15 individuals met in small groups to comb the roads surrounding Guthrie’s neighborhood. Organizers chose not to disclose their search map to the media. Among the items found were a black glove located about 2.3 miles from Guthrie’s home and a SwissGear backpack discovered approximately 2.8 miles away, although authorities later stated that the backpack did not yield any useful leads.
As of Sunday evening, a spokesperson for the sheriff's office confirmed that the glove had not been formally reported to them. Earlier in the investigation, the FBI had released footage showing a masked individual on Guthrie’s porch, who was seen carrying a black Ozark Trail hiking backpack. Investigators are working to verify other items the suspect was wearing and whether he acted alone.
Christi Wiggins, who traveled from Phoenix to participate in the search, expressed her feelings, stating, "If it was my mom or anyone in my family missing, I’d want someone to come out and help find her." Another volunteer, Katherine Montanez, shared her mixed emotions, saying, "I’m nervous and scared, but I’m also eager to help locate anything that could assist in finding her." The glove was found near a residence where a search warrant was executed on February 13, but no charges resulted from that action. A neighbor reported that police had canvassed the area for Ring camera footage, but she believed her video did not contain significant information.
At Guthrie’s home on Sunday, two women from a group named Madres Sonoras Desaparecida, or Sonoran Mothers of the Missing, briefly entered the property with a shovel and a length of rebar. Several livestreamers followed them until a deputy requested that they leave. Sheriff Nanos stated over the weekend that investigators are diligently working through the evidence as they continue their search for answers in this case.