The Arizona sheriff investigating the abduction of Nancy Guthrie, mother of NBC Today show host Savannah Guthrie, has denied accusations that he withheld crucial forensic evidence from the FBI. The search for the missing 84-year-old has now entered its 13th day.
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos was accused by an unnamed FBI source of bypassing federal analysts by sending evidence, including DNA and gloves, to a private lab in Florida. The source claimed this could slow the case, but Nanos told Tucson NBC affiliate KVOA that he sent multiple pairs of gloves to the same facility already examining other evidence to expedite the inquiry.
In a Friday update, the sheriff's office confirmed that DNA not belonging to Nancy Guthrie or her close contacts was collected at the scene. Investigators are working to identify the owner of that DNA, though its location has not been disclosed. Earlier, blood on the front porch was matched to Nancy Guthrie.
The FBI has released new details about the suspect captured on doorbell camera: an average build, approximately 5ft 9in to 5ft 10in tall, carrying a black 25-litre Ozark Trail Hiker Pack backpack. A reward of $100,000 has been offered for information leading to an arrest or conviction.
More than 4,000 tips were received in the 24 hours after the FBI released video and photographs of the suspect, from a total of over 13,000. Investigators have also requested any video from a 2-mile radius around the Guthrie residence taken between 1 January and 2 February.
Savannah Guthrie has posted appeals for help on social media, saying her family feels 'desperation' but will never give up. She has also stated 'we will pay' in response to uncorroborated ransom notes demanding cryptocurrency for her mother's release.
