FBI's DNA Breakthrough in Nancy Guthrie Case: Suspect's Clothes Bought at Walmart
In a significant development in the search for missing pensioner Nancy Guthrie, police have announced they know where the clothing worn by the prime suspect was purchased. The 84-year-old mother of US television star Savannah Guthrie has not been seen since February 1, sparking a widespread investigation led by the FBI and local authorities.
Doorbell Cam Footage and Glove Evidence
Doorbell camera footage from the night of Nancy Guthrie's disappearance shows a masked individual in gloves attempting to interfere with the camera. The FBI has reported a DNA breakthrough, stating that a glove found near Guthrie's home appears to match those worn by the person in the chilling video. An FBI spokesperson confirmed, "The one with the DNA profile recovered is different and appears to match the gloves of the subject in the surveillance video." Police have collected 16 gloves from the area, most discarded by searchers, but the key glove with DNA evidence stands out.
Walmart Purchase and Backpack Identification
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos revealed to CBS News that the clothing and face mask worn by the suspect were bought at Walmart. Authorities are currently combing through surveillance footage from local Walmart outlets to trace the purchase. Additionally, the backpack seen in the footage has been identified as a black Ozark Trail Hiker, a model exclusively sold by Walmart. It remains unclear whether the backpack was purchased in-person or online, adding complexity to the investigation.
Savannah Guthrie's Emotional Plea
Savannah Guthrie, co-anchor of NBC News' Today show, made another heartfelt plea for her mother's safe return, marking two weeks since Nancy vanished. She said, "It's been two weeks since our mom was taken. And I just wanted to come on and say that we still have hope. And we still believe. I wanted to say to whoever has her or knows where she is that it's never too late. And you're not lost or alone. And it is never too late to do the right thing." Police have indicated they are leaning away from family involvement, focusing instead on a male suspect described as 5ft9in to 5ft10in tall with an average build.
Investigation Progress and Forensic Analysis
The gloves found in a field about two miles from Nancy Guthrie's home have been sent to a private lab in Florida for further analysis. Preliminary results have been obtained but have not yet been entered into the FBI's CODIS forensic database, which could potentially flag a DNA match. Authorities hope this updated description of the suspect and evidence will help concentrate public tips. Nancy was last seen by her family on January 31, with her doorbell camera disconnected in the early hours of February 1, when software detected a person but no video was recorded due to an invalid subscription.
Members of her church noticed her absence at a Sunday service and alerted her family, initiating the search. The case continues to draw national attention, with the FBI urging anyone with information to come forward as the investigation enters its third week.
