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As the search for Nancy Guthrie enters its third week, officials emphasize that her family has been exonerated from any suspicion in her disappearance.
WASHINGTON — The ongoing search for Nancy Guthrie in Arizona has reached its third week, and authorities have confirmed that her family members are not considered suspects in the case.
“To clarify, the Guthrie family, including all siblings and their spouses, have been cleared of suspicion. They have been cooperative and gracious throughout this ordeal and are indeed victims in this situation,” stated Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos. “To suggest otherwise is not only incorrect but also unkind. The Guthrie family are unequivocally victims… I urge the media to uphold the standards of their profession and report with compassion and professionalism.”
Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie, was taken from her home in the early hours of Sunday, February 1.
Despite the family’s heartfelt appeals, there has been no trace of Nancy, nor any confirmation of her wellbeing from the alleged abductors who initially sent notes to various media outlets following her disappearance.
In the early days of the investigation, there were unsubstantiated claims by some outlets alleging relatives were being considered as suspects. But the FBI and sheriff’s officials repeatedly dispelled the rumors, saying they had not zeroed in on a suspect.
Last week, investigators produced evidence leading the investigation in a different direction.
FBI Director Kash Patel released photos and videos of a man approaching Nancy Guthrie’s front door attempting to obscure its field of view.
And on Monday, the sheriff’s department announced that the clothing worn by the subject in the video “may have been purchased from Walmart but is not exclusively available at Walmart. This remains a possibility only.”
Nanos said in a text message to The Associated Press on Monday that the 25-liter “Ozark Trail Hiker Pack” backpack was the only clothing item that has been “definitively identified.”
“This backpack is exclusive to Walmart and we are working with Walmart management to develop further leads,” Nanos said.
Investigators on Sunday announced that a glove discovered near the Guthrie home has been sent for DNA testing. The FBI said that it received preliminary results Saturday and was awaiting official confirmation. The development comes as law enforcement gathers more potential evidence and as the search for Guthrie’s mother heads into its third week. Authorities previously said they had not identified a suspect.
The FBI said the person seen in the surveillance footage is a man about 5 feet, 9 inches tall with a medium build.
