KEY POINT
- Investigators found DNA from an unidentified person at the property linked to the Nancy Guthrie disappearance.
- The FBI is seeking a man about five foot nine to five foot 10 with an average build seen on surveillance video.
- The reward for information has increased to $100,000 as authorities pursue more than 13,000 public tips.
TUCSON, Ariz. — Authorities investigating the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie said Friday that DNA collected from her property does not belong to her or anyone known to be in close contact with her, as the FBI increased its reward to $100,000 for information leading to an arrest or conviction. The update comes more than two weeks after Guthrie vanished from her home in the foothills of Pima County.
The disclosure of unidentified DNA marks a significant development in the Nancy Guthrie disappearance investigation, shifting the case from a missing-person search to what authorities describe as an active criminal inquiry.
Law enforcement officials said forensic testing is underway to determine whether the DNA sample is connected to the suspect seen on surveillance video the morning Guthrie disappeared.
The case has drawn national attention due to the public profile of Guthrie’s daughter, Savannah Guthrie, a co anchor of NBC’s “TODAY” show, who has publicly appealed for information.
Nancy Guthrie disappeared from her home in Pima County, Arizona, on Feb. 1. According to the Pima County Sheriff’s Department, investigators responded after family members reported her missing when she failed to answer calls and was not at her residence.
Surveillance footage reviewed by authorities shows a man on the porch of Guthrie’s home that morning. The FBI described the individual as a male about five foot nine to five foot 10 with an average build, wearing a black 25 liter Ozark Trail Hiker Pack backpack.
Since the disappearance, the FBI said it has received more than 13,000 tips from the public. Agents and sheriff’s deputies have conducted ground searches in nearby foothills, collected potential evidence and canvassed neighborhoods for additional video footage.
On Thursday, the Pima County Sheriff’s Department said gloves recovered in the surrounding foothills have been submitted for DNA testing.
Sheriff Chris Nanos of the Pima County Sheriff’s Department said investigators are working with federal forensic laboratories to identify the source of the DNA.
“The DNA collected from the property does not belong to Nancy Guthrie or anyone known to have regular contact with her,” Nanos said at a briefing.
“We are actively working to determine whose DNA it is and whether it is related to her disappearance.”
Legal experts said the presence of unidentified DNA could expand the scope of the investigation.
David Harris, a professor of law at the University of Pittsburgh who studies forensic evidence, said DNA findings can be pivotal but must be carefully contextualized.
“DNA at a scene does not automatically establish involvement in a crime,” Harris said. “Investigators will need to determine how and when it was deposited, and whether it connects to the individual seen on video.”
Retired FBI supervisory special agent Mary Ellen O’Toole, a former profiler and forensic consultant, said the volume of tips presents both opportunity and challenge.
“When you receive over 13,000 tips, the key becomes triage and verification,” O’Toole said. “Reward increases are often designed to generate more actionable information rather than sheer volume.”
Authorities have not publicly stated whether foul play has been officially declared, but they confirmed the investigation is being handled as a potential criminal matter.
Savannah Guthrie shared home video footage of her mother and family members on social media, writing, “Our lovely mom. We will never give up on her. Thank you for your prayers and hope.”
Sheriff Nanos urged the public to continue cooperating with investigators.
“We are asking anyone who may recognize the individual in the video or who has information about activity in the neighborhood on Feb. 1 to come forward,” Nanos said.
An FBI spokesperson in Phoenix confirmed the reward increase to $100,000, stating the bureau remains “fully committed to supporting local law enforcement and the Guthrie family.”
Community members in the foothills neighborhood have described increased patrol presence and search activity in recent days. Several residents told local media they have provided doorbell camera footage to investigators.
Authorities said forensic testing on the recovered gloves and the unidentified DNA sample could take several weeks, depending on laboratory processing times.
Investigators are also analyzing additional surveillance footage and digital data collected during the inquiry.
Law enforcement officials declined to comment on whether the suspect seen on video has been identified or located.
The Nancy Guthrie disappearance remains an active investigation, with federal and local authorities coordinating efforts across Arizona. Officials said updates will be provided as new information becomes verified.
As investigators analyze unidentified DNA and pursue thousands of leads, the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie continues to draw national attention and public engagement.
The reward increase and ongoing forensic testing underscore the case’s seriousness while authorities emphasize that identifying the source of the DNA will be critical to determining the next steps in the investigation.
