Nancy Guthrie live updates: Authorities pursuing thousands of leads, sheriff says

The sheriff said he was hopeful that a gun holster and a possible ring that a man was seen wearing in video from Guthrie’s porch could lead authorities to a suspect.

Family cleared by investigators in Nancy Guthrie disappearance

Authorities in Arizona said Monday the family of missing 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie has been cleared as potential suspects.

“The family has been nothing but cooperative and gracious and are victims in this case,” the Pima County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.

That includes all family members and spouses, the statement said.
TMZ offers to work with emailer on Nancy Guthrie case
The office went on to ask the media to exercise professionalism and compassion when reporting on the case, saying that suggesting the family is anything other than victims was “cruel.”
“Today” show co-host Savannah Guthrie made an appeal Wednesday to whoever is allegedly holding her missing mother, saying her family has heard reports of a ransom letter but needs proof Nancy Guthrie is alive before they can negotiate. (NewsNation)
Guthrie, the mother of “Today” co-host Savannah Guthrie, was last seen at her Tucson home Jan. 31. As the search enters its third week, investigators are focusing efforts on DNA testing of a black glove found not far from her home.

FBI visits gun stores with 40-person ID list in Nancy Guthrie investigation

NewsNation’s Brian Entin reports that FBI agents have visited several gun stores in the Tucson area with a list of 40 names and photographs, asking employees whether any of the individuals have been in the stores or purchased weapons.

‘Unnecessary delays’ in getting DNA into FBI database: Source

The DNA from the glove is still undergoing quality control in the sheriff’s private lab in Florida after being sent from Tucson on Thursday. It is expected to be entered into the FBI’s CODIS database in the near future, according to an FBI official speaking to NewsNation.

Investigators say the glove appears to match one worn by a suspect whose image was captured on surveillance video at Guthrie’s home.

The decision to send the glove to a private lab in Florida is causing what one source familiar with the case calls “unnecessary delays” in getting the DNA entered into the FBI’s database.

That’s because the FBI does not accept DNA submissions directly from private labs. Instead, once testing is complete in Florida, the DNA data extracted must first be sent back to the state system in Arizona, where it can be uploaded and then shared with the FBI for entry into CODIS.

That extra step adds time, creating what the source describes as a “catch-up” process when the FBI could have processed and entered the data within a day, according to the source.

The Pima County Sheriff’s Office has stated, contrary to NewsNation reporting, that the FBI agreed to send DNA to the private lab.

TMZ receives another note in Nancy Guthrie case

Also on Monday, TMZ reported a fourth email from someone offering information on the kidnappers in exchange for bitcoin. The outlet publicly offered to work with the writer to send information to the FBI and ensure they would get the offered reward.

The emails sent to TMZ are separate from an earlier ransom demand sent to the outlet. Two ransom deadlines have passed in the case, although investigators have not publicly confirmed whether the alleged kidnappers have communicated with the family.

Video and photos released by the FBI show a masked person with a gun appearing to tamper with the camera at Guthrie’s front door, at one point using shrubbery to hide their face.

The FBI has described the man as 5 feet, 9 inches to 5 feet, 10 inches tall with an average build.

Authorities believe Guthrie was kidnapped in the late night or early morning hours before she was reported missing Feb. 1.

The FBI is offering a reward of up to $100,000 for information leading to Guthrie’s recovery or the arrest and conviction of anyone involved in her disappearance.

Anyone with “actionable information” is asked to contact 1-800-CALL-FBI or the Pima County Sheriff’s Department nonemergency line at 520-351-4900.