Savannah Guthrie speaking on camera about her mother's abduction casePhoto by Timur Weber on Pexels

Savannah Guthrie, the host of NBC's Today show, posted a video on Instagram Sunday asking the person who took her 84-year-old mother Nancy from her Arizona home to bring her back. It has been two weeks since the abduction, and the FBI announced it recovered a DNA sample from a glove found in a field a few miles from the house. The glove matches the ones worn by a masked man seen on surveillance video outside Nancy's front door on the night she vanished.

Background

Nancy Guthrie, 84, disappeared from her home in Arizona in the middle of the night two weeks ago. A surveillance camera caught a masked man, about 5 feet 9 inches to 5 feet 10 inches tall, wearing gloves and carrying a backpack outside her front door. The man appeared to enter the home, and Nancy has not been seen since. Her car remains parked in the driveway untouched. The case quickly drew national attention because of Savannah Guthrie's high profile as a morning news anchor. Family members reported her missing right away, and local police called in the FBI due to signs of a kidnapping. Search teams combed fields and roads near the home in the days after. Weather has been a challenge, with rain and wind possibly affecting evidence. Federal agents, including from Border Patrol, joined sheriff's deputies to canvass neighborhoods on foot. They have talked to neighbors, workers who visited the property, and family members. No arrests have been made, and there are no signs of Nancy Guthrie yet.

Law enforcement executed search warrants at several homes nearby. People were detained briefly for questioning but released. The investigation has moved fast, with dozens of detectives and federal agents assigned. Some tips came in from the public, but false leads have slowed things down at times. Outlets reported unconfirmed details early on, which took focus away from solid work. The FBI set up a DNA profile with samples from family, searchers, and anyone else who might have been at the scene. This helps rule out innocent matches.

Key Details

The FBI's latest find is a glove picked up on the side of a road about two miles from Nancy Guthrie's home. It does not match DNA from searchers or law enforcement who were in the area. The glove looks like the pair the masked man wore in the video. Agents sent it to the FBI lab in Quantico, Virginia, for full testing. They hope to find the suspect's DNA or even traces from Nancy Guthrie on it. Results could come back in about 24 hours. If the DNA profile matches someone in their database, it could lead straight to the man who took her.

Suspect Description and Evidence

The surveillance video shows the suspect with a build that fits a man around 5 feet 9 to 5 feet 10. He wore a mask, gloves, and carried a backpack sold only at Walmart. Officials reviewed video from a nearby Walmart to check purchases. Fingerprints from the scene have been processed too. The backpack and gloves stand out because they match items easy to trace. Law enforcement sources say the focus is on finding this guy. They believe someone out there knows who he is.

Savannah Guthrie's video came out late Sunday. She spoke directly to the abductor.

"It's never too late to do the right thing. We still have hope, and I wanted to say to whoever has her or knows where she is… We believe in the essential goodness of every human being."

— Savannah Guthrie

Her car has sat in the driveway for two weeks. Family holds out hope despite the time passed.

What This Means

A DNA match from the glove could break the case open. It would give investigators a name and face for the masked man. The FBI plans to enter the unknown male profile into its database soon. A hit there means they get the suspect fast. Even without a match, the DNA narrows the search. They already ruled out many people who were around the home. Search teams keep looking in fields and along roads, but the glove shifts attention to lab work. Weather has hurt outdoor efforts, but indoor evidence like the video holds strong.

The family waits for news. Savannah's plea adds pressure on anyone who knows something. Tips keep coming, and agents follow every one. No one expects Nancy to be far if the abductor acts now. The backpack link to Walmart could yield video of the buyer. Combined with DNA, it paints a clear picture. Two weeks in, movement like this shows the case heats up. Agents stress they need the public to spot the suspect. Nancy Guthrie's age makes time critical. Her daughter keeps the story alive with messages like the latest one. Law enforcement says they work nonstop. The glove test results will tell a lot in the next day. If it links back to the porch scene, the path to Nancy gets shorter. Family DNA markers are on file to check for traces. This lead stands out because it ties direct to the video man. Broader searches continue, but forensics take center stage now. Public frustration grows over false tips, but real progress shows in the evidence chain. The investigation spans local, state, and federal levels. Quantico's quick turnaround helps. Walmart footage review adds another layer. Suspect height and build help witnesses recall faces. Gloves matching exactly raise odds it's him. Savannah's words aim at the person's conscience. Two weeks marks a grim milestone, but hope persists through facts. Agents say the right tip or test changes everything.

Author

  • Vincent K

    Vincent Keller is a senior investigative reporter at The News Gallery, specializing in accountability journalism and in depth reporting. With a focus on facts, context, and clarity, his work aims to cut through noise and deliver stories that matter. Keller is known for his measured approach and commitment to responsible, evidence based reporting.

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