Bloody Glove Discovery Near Missing Woman's Home Sparks Investigation
A Tucson couple has reported finding a bloody glove near the home of missing 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie in the Catalina Foothills area. The couple, who chose to remain anonymous and declined to appear on camera, exclusively disclosed their discovery to KVOA-TV on Friday. This development comes as the search for Guthrie, the mother of 'Today' show host Savannah Guthrie, enters its twentieth day.
Discovery Details and Police Response
The couple stated they found the black latex glove on February 11 while driving along North Campbell Avenue. Using a flashlight out the window, they spotted the glove on the roadside, with another glove located less than ten feet away. Recognizing the potential significance, they immediately contacted the FBI hotline.
After being on hold for forty-five minutes, they reached an operator who recorded their contact information and location but could not guarantee an agent would arrive that night. Concerned about the delay, they then called the Pima County Sheriff's Department, which has been leading the investigation since Nancy Guthrie disappeared on February 1.
Police instructed the couple to leave the gloves in place and assured them someone would respond. However, with rain forecasted, the couple grew anxious and dialed 911 for a quicker response. Multiple detectives arrived and questioned them until 2 a.m.
Conflicting Information and Ongoing DNA Analysis
The couple now wonders if the gloves they found are the same ones the FBI tested earlier. Police have not confirmed this connection, noting that gloves collected two miles from Guthrie's home are under examination, while the couple insists their discovery was less than a mile away.
Earlier this week, authorities revealed that gloves matching those worn by a suspect in doorbell camera footage did not match anyone in the FBI's Combined DNA Index System (CODIS). The sheriff's department stated on Tuesday, 'Investigators are currently looking into additional investigative genetic genealogy options for DNA evidence to check for matches. CODIS is one option of many databases that are available.'
Police have collected multiple gloves from the area and continue DNA testing on relevant biological material, with results expected over the next few weeks.
Suspect Description and Pacemaker Tracking
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos told NBC News on Tuesday that the DNA evidence may belong to a suspect described as a male standing between 5'9" and 5'10". The individual was seen with a distinct gun holster and an Ozark Trail backpack from Walmart.
Nancy Guthrie was last seen on January 31 after being dropped off at her home by a family member. Police believe she was taken against her will in the early hours of February 1, following a doorbell camera capture of a suspect. Her family reported her missing after she failed to appear at a friend's home that day.
In nearly three weeks, no person of interest or suspect has been named in the abduction. On Friday, the sheriff's department indicated they are 'not ruling out the possibility that more than one person may be involved.'
Hope in Technology: The Pacemaker Lead
Investigators are pinning hopes on Guthrie's pacemaker to locate her. The device, which regulates heartbeat, disconnected from an app on her phone at 2:28 a.m., shortly after the suspect appeared on camera. Sheriff Nanos previously noted the pacemaker has six or seven years of battery life remaining, based on manufacturer information.
The pacemaker manufacturer is collaborating with police to detect any signals the device might emit, offering a potential technological breakthrough in the case. As the investigation continues, authorities urge the public to report any additional findings or information related to Nancy Guthrie's disappearance.
