In a recent development in the case of missing Arizona grandmother Nancy Guthrie, the Pima County Sheriff's Department has reported the recovery of DNA evidence on her property. The DNA does not match Guthrie or any individuals known to have been in close contact with her. This finding has introduced a new lead in the ongoing investigation into her disappearance nearly two weeks ago from her Tucson foothills home, valued at $1 million.
The authorities have not specified the location on the property where the DNA was found but have confirmed that further forensic testing is underway to identify the source. The investigation, which has seen local deputies and federal agents join forces, has also led to the recovery of several gloves found between two to ten miles from Guthrie's residence. The sheriff's department has clarified that earlier reports of a glove found on the property were incorrect.
Sheriff Chris Nanos, in an interview with ABC News, explained that DNA from family members and household staff is being used to exclude known profiles in an effort to isolate potential suspects. "We'll go through and try to eliminate people," Nanos stated.
The DNA and associated evidence have been sent to a private DNA laboratory in Florida, a decision that has raised questions as Reuters reported the FBI's interest in processing some evidence at its Quantico crime lab. Nanos denied any intention to block federal involvement, emphasizing that utilizing one facility for all samples was a logistical decision.
Amidst these developments, investigators continue to scrutinize surveillance footage that captured a masked individual at Guthrie's doorstep on the morning she vanished. Authorities are meticulously reviewing the video to gather more details, including an estimation of the suspect's weight. The FBI has described the suspect as a male of average build, standing approximately 5-foot-9 to 5-foot-10.
Officials have released images of a black "Ozark Trail Hiker Pack" backpack believed to be carried by the suspect, as reported by the Daily Mail. Additionally, the FBI's Phoenix field office has increased the reward for information leading to Guthrie's recovery to $100,000.
The investigation has faced its share of challenges, with conflicting statements from authorities adding to the complexity. In past press conferences, Sheriff Nanos suggested that Guthrie had been "harmed at the home," which he later corrected as a misstatement. He has also expressed uncertainty regarding possible suspects and motives, indicating the open-ended nature of the case.
As this investigation progresses, the community and the Guthrie family await further information, hoping for a resolution to this distressing situation.
