A significant development has emerged in the search for Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of "Today" show host Savannah Guthrie, who was kidnapped nearly two weeks ago. On Wednesday, investigators discovered a black glove along a roadside in Arizona, approximately one and a half miles from Guthrie's Catalina Foothills residence. This discovery has the potential to provide crucial DNA evidence that could lead to the identification of the kidnapper.
According to Michael Harrigan, a former FBI National Academy overseer, the glove's relevance to the case will depend on the type of glove and whether it made direct contact with the suspect's skin. The likelihood of DNA transfer would be affected if the glove was worn over another glove, thereby reducing the potential for capturing the suspect's skin cell DNA.
The significance of the glove is heightened by its resemblance to those seen on a masked individual in security footage from Nancy Guthrie's home. The footage, released by the FBI, shows a person attempting to obscure a camera at Guthrie's front entrance while wearing black gloves, a ski mask, and a holstered gun. Investigators will conduct thorough laboratory analysis to determine if Guthrie's DNA is present on the glove, which would solidify its connection to the case.
Authorities have not yet identified any suspects in Guthrie's abduction, but the case remains active with multiple leads under investigation. The search for evidence has been extensive, with authorities even examining roadways far from the primary scene. This indicates a meticulous and wide-ranging effort by law enforcement to recover any potential evidence linked to the crime.
The discovery of the glove was not the only recent development in the case. TMZ reported that investigators detained a person of interest, delivery driver Carlos Palazuelos from Rio Rico, for questioning. Palazuelos was released after several hours of interrogation, having denied any knowledge of or involvement in the abduction.
Nancy Grace, a legal commentator, underscored the importance of the glove find. In a tweet shared by Sean Hannity, Grace pointed out that while the kidnapper was careful to avoid leaving fingerprints, they may not have considered the possibility of leaving prints inside the glove. The full implications of this observation are yet to be determined as the investigation continues.
The case has captured national attention, with updates on the investigation and any leads being closely monitored. The community and Guthrie's family remain hopeful that the evidence collected, including the newly found glove, will lead to a breakthrough in the case and bring Nancy Guthrie back home safely.
