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A glove discovered two miles from the residence of Nancy Guthrie has been ruled out as a clue in her disappearance, as it did not match any DNA samples from her home, according to Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos. Announced on Tuesday, the glove also failed to yield any matches in the CODIS database, a comprehensive national repository of DNA collected from individuals arrested across the country. Found on Sunday, the black nitrile glove had initially been considered a significant lead in the search for the 84-year-old mother of Savannah Guthrie, a prominent figure on the Today Show. The glove appeared similar to one worn by a masked individual captured on Nancy’s doorbell camera shortly before her mysterious disappearance in the early hours of February 1.
Search Enters Third Week As Additional DNA Awaits Analysis
In a social media update, the Pima County Sheriff’s Department revealed that additional DNA evidence was collected from Nancy’s residence and is currently undergoing analysis. This development marks a setback as the investigation into Nancy’s disappearance enters its third week, still lacking any arrests or identified suspects. Nancy was last seen on the night of January 31 as she entered her home in Tucson, Arizona’s Catalina Foothills. Her pacemaker disconnected from her Apple Watch at her home a few hours later. The investigation has faced mounting criticism, placing pressure on Sheriff Nanos amid accusations of missteps during the initial phase of the search.
Despite initial optimism, the glove’s significance was downplayed by NBC’s Today before DNA testing results were finalized. DNA expert CeCe Moore cautioned viewers against expecting a breakthrough, citing the glove’s distance from the crime scene as a limiting factor. “In my opinion, it’s not going to solve the case,” Moore explained. “The real question is whether they have found DNA from an unknown male inside the house.” Authorities also discovered 16 gloves scattered around Nancy’s property, most of which were determined to belong to investigators who had been examining the scene.
The failure to match the glove to a suspect comes exactly one week after authorities arrested delivery driver Carlos Palazuelos in connection with the case before releasing him without charge hours later . His brief detention last Tuesday brought public humiliation to the investigation as he angrily denied having anything to do with Nancy’s abduction. On Friday Pima County SWAT officers raided a home two miles from Nancy’s, but no-one was detained.
Authorities Clear Family Members
Around the same time, FBI agents stopped a Range Rover Sport and spoke to its driver, but he too was released without charge. The FBI said it has received more than 13,000 tips, while the Pima County Sheriff’s Department reported taking at least 18,000 calls related to the case that have generated between 40,000 and 50,000 leads. Authorities have also publicly cleared Nancy Guthrie’s family members as possible suspects, calling them victims in the case.
That includes Nancy’s son-in-law Tommaso Cioni, who previously faced unfounded online speculation about whether he was involved in the disappearance . In a video message posted to Instagram on Sunday night, Savannah pleaded directly with whoever may be holding her mother. ‘It is never too late to do the right thing,’ Guthrie said. ‘And we are here. And we believe in the essential goodness of every human being, that it’s never too late.’
