‘Just let her go’: Sheriff issues plea to suspect in Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos addressed recent rumors regarding the handling of evidence and his department’s relationship with federal authorities in an interview following recent developments in a high-profile investigation.
The Brief
DNA testing on a glove found two miles from Nancy Guthrie’s home yielded no matches in the FBI’s national database, though Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos says investigators may now use forensic genetic genealogy to identify the unknown male.
The search for the 84-year-old mother of “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie has entered its third week, with 400 personnel focusing on field efforts and data from a pacemaker that disconnected the night she disappeared.
Sheriff Nanos issued a direct plea to potential suspects to release Guthrie at a hospital or park, maintaining that the investigation remains a rescue mission.
PIMA COUNTY, Ariz. – Genetic testing on a glove found two miles from the home of Nancy Guthrie has yielded no matches in the FBI’s national DNA database, marking a setback on the 17th day of the search for the mother of “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie.
Despite the lack of a hit in the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS), Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos maintained optimism Tuesday, insisting the investigation remains a rescue operation rather than a recovery mission.
Sheriff Nanos Stays Optimistic:
“You have no proof, nobody does, that she’s not [alive],” Nanos said. “I’m going to have that faith. Sometimes that hope is all we have.”
The glove, which investigators say resembles those worn by a suspect on Guthrie’s doorbell camera, was processed at a private Florida lab before being entered into the federal database late Monday. DNA found on the glove, recovered two miles from Nancy’s home, did not match any profiles in the FBI database or forensic evidence discovered inside her residence.
While the direct search produced no immediate identity, Nanos said investigators may now pursue forensic genetic genealogy to identify potential relatives of the unknown male who wore the glove.
Detectives also continue to analyze data from Guthrie’s pacemaker, which disconnected from her phone on Feb. 1, the night she disappeared. Investigators are collaborating with the device manufacturer and medical experts to narrow down search areas in the field.
We have learned from a one-on-one interview with Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos that the DNA profile recovered from a glove found 2 miles away from Guthrie’s home did not register a hit in the CODIS system.
‘400 people out there in the field’
The search has entered its third week, raising concerns about Guthrie’s health, as she requires daily medication for a heart condition. When asked when the mission might transition to a recovery effort, Nanos pointed to the 400 personnel currently deployed in the field.
“My team, 400 people out there in the field today, woke up this morning and went out there with the hope and the belief that they’re going to find Nancy, and she’s going to be OK,” Nanos said.
The sheriff also issued a direct plea to the person responsible for Guthrie’s disappearance.
“Just let her go. It will work out better for you in the long run,” Nanos said. “Take her to a park. Take her to the hospital. Just let her go.”
Nanos reaffirmed that the Guthrie family is being treated strictly as victims in the case, a designation he said was made early in the investigation despite announcing that everyone was on the table while being questioned during press conferences.
It has been 17 days since Nancy Guthrie went missing, and the sheriff of Pima County had an update on a piece of crucial DNA evidence in the case, as well as a message to the suspects. FOX 10’s Justin Lum has more.
Nanos described the DNA recovery process as complex, particularly when forensic samples contain genetic material from multiple individuals.
“We have DNA from that scene that is a mixture of DNAs, so we have to separate (it),” Nanos said. He noted that the lab must isolate the profiles while preserving enough evidence for potential defense testing following an arrest.
Dr. Colleen Fitzpatrick, a veteran forensic genealogist, said mixed DNA is a frequent challenge because simple physical interactions can easily transfer skin cells.
“The sensitivity is really good, but it’s going to pick up a lot of other stuff that isn’t relevant,” Fitzpatrick said. She explained that while a large sample can confirm a suspect’s identity, a sample of only five or six cells could easily belong to an unrelated individual who merely greeted the suspect.
As DNA processing continues, investigators are also managing a high volume of tips. Nanos said the department uses a tiered system to prioritize leads, citing doorbell camera footage as a “Level 1” priority.
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said he is holding out hope that DNA evidence will lead to Nancy Guthrie, more than two weeks after the 84-year-old vanished from her Tucson home. FOX 10’s Nicole Krasean has the latest.
What you can do:
The FBI continues to urge anyone with information to contact its hotline at 1-800-CALL-FBI.
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department has also set up a tipline where the community can submit information. A new online form is available for tips.
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