Suburban home in Tucson, Arizona, similar to Nancy Guthrie's residence during police investigationPhoto by cottonbro studio on Pexels

Nancy Guthrie, an 84-year-old woman from Tucson, Arizona, vanished from her home more than two weeks ago. A masked intruder was caught on her doorbell camera, and now a glove found nearby with DNA evidence may link to that man. The task force leading the search waits for lab results as tips pour in by the thousands.

Background

Nancy Guthrie disappeared from her Tucson home in the early hours of a quiet night. Her family reported her missing the next day after noticing she was gone and her pacemaker had stopped sending signals to her Apple Watch around 2:30 a.m. Doorbell camera footage showed a man wearing a mask and dark clothing approaching the front door. He appeared to wear black gloves. The video captured him around 1:45 a.m., right before the camera went offline. No one saw him enter, but her pacemaker data suggests she left the home about 45 minutes later.

Police arrived quickly but removed crime scene tape within the first day. They said they processed the scene fully at the time. Some experts later questioned that move, saying it might have let important clues slip away, like footprints or other marks from the intruder. The case drew eyes from across the country because Guthrie's daughter, Savannah Guthrie, is a well-known TV news anchor. Her family has made public pleas, asking anyone with information to come forward.

Thousands of people called in tips. Searchers checked homes nearby, pulled over drivers who looked suspicious, and looked into delivery workers seen in the area. One man stopped by police said he hoped they catch the real suspect because he had nothing to do with it. Leads like those turned up empty so far. The FBI stepped in early, forming a task force to handle the flood of information. Over 13,000 tips have come in, more than they can check right away.

Key Details

The biggest break so far came with a black glove found close to Guthrie's home. The FBI says it looks just like the one the suspect wore in the doorbell video. Tests show DNA from an unknown man on it. They plan to run that profile through national databases soon. A match could name a suspect fast.

Timeline of Events

Here's what investigators know about that night:

  • 1:45 a.m.: Doorbell camera records the masked man at the door. It stops working shortly after.
  • Around 2:30 a.m.: Pacemaker signal drops off on her Apple Watch.

Experts say the gap points to the man entering the home after the camera cut out. They recovered some extra video from the camera's local storage after it failed to upload to the cloud because Guthrie lacked a subscription. That gave them more details on the suspect's look and movements.

Another item turned up: a backpack linked to the suspect. Stores sell that type, and police traced sales records. They hope store cameras from the right day will show who bought it, maybe even near Tucson.

The task force believes the man went to the home for a burglary that went wrong. He may have grabbed Guthrie when she answered or came out. No signs of forced entry show on the door, so she might have let him in or he found another way.

"We beg you now to return our mother to us." – Guthrie family member

Scrutiny grows on early police work. Removing tape so soon raised eyebrows. One expert said it could mix up evidence if others walked through. Still, leaders say they got what they needed then and keep digging now.

What This Means

If the glove DNA matches someone in the database, it could end the search quickly. The man might already have a record, making him easier to find. Guthrie's age and health make time critical. Her pacemaker data shows her heart stopped sending signals that night, but no body has turned up.

Public tips remain key. Family and police ask people to look at the video and think if they know the man. He wore common clothes and a mask, but the gloves and backpack stand out. In a warm place like Tucson, black gloves are rare, which is why they grab attention.

The case tests how police handle high-profile missing persons. Thousands of tips mean more work, but also more chances for a real lead. False alarms waste time, like the SUV search or driver stop. Experts say this pace is normal for tough cases. They often rely on someone spotting the suspect in daily life—a husband, brother, or neighbor.

Savannah Guthrie spoke out again, saying it's never too late to bring her mother home. The family holds out hope as the third week starts. Task force members work non-stop, sorting tips and waiting on labs. Forensic results could shift everything. Until then, they chase every angle, from store records to database hits.

Pressure mounts with national coverage. Law enforcement knows eyes watch every step. They push forward, balancing speed and care. Guthrie's home sits quiet now, a reminder of the night that changed everything. Searchers fan out, tips keep coming, and the wait for DNA answers drags on.

Author

  • Tyler Brennan

    Tyler Brennan is a breaking news reporter for The News Gallery, delivering fast, accurate coverage of developing stories across the country. He focuses on real time reporting, on scene updates, and emerging national events. Brennan is recognized for his sharp instincts and clear, concise reporting under pressure.

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