The FBI has announced what may be a significant forensic development in the abduction investigation of 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie, revealing that a black glove recovered near her home appears visually consistent with gloves worn by a masked suspect captured on surveillance footage the night she disappeared. According to federal authorities, the glove was discovered in a brush-covered area approximately two miles from Guthrie’s residence in the Catalina Foothills on February 11. The find came shortly after investigators released an image of a masked man approaching Guthrie’s home on January 31. That public release followed several days of intensive search operations across nearby desert terrain and residential areas, as law enforcement agencies expanded their efforts to identify and track a suspect. Officials have described the glove discovery as potentially significant because of both its proximity to the home and its similarity to the gloves seen in surveillance footage.
In a statement issued Sunday, an FBI spokesperson confirmed that the recovered glove contains a DNA profile and “appears to match the gloves of the subject in the surveillance video.” The spokesperson emphasized that while numerous gloves were found during the search operations, this particular glove was visually consistent with those worn by the individual shown approaching Guthrie’s home. Investigators reportedly collected approximately 16 gloves during the course of their search. The majority were quickly ruled out as unrelated debris commonly found in desert and brush areas. However, one glove stood out due to its appearance and location. That glove was separated from the others and submitted for forensic analysis. Authorities stressed that while the glove appears consistent with the suspect’s, confirmation through laboratory testing is essential before drawing definitive conclusions.
The glove was sent to a private forensic laboratory in Florida for expedited DNA testing. According to reports, the samples arrived at the lab on Friday, and preliminary results were received the following day. Media outlets have reported that the initial analysis identified an unknown male DNA profile. However, federal officials have cautioned that the results are still pending final quality control and official confirmation, a process that typically takes about 24 hours to complete. Law enforcement sources say the verification process is crucial to ensure the integrity of the DNA findings before moving forward with further investigative steps. Once confirmed, the DNA profile is expected to be entered into CODIS, the Combined DNA Index System, which is maintained by the FBI and allows law enforcement agencies nationwide to compare DNA samples against profiles from convicted offenders, arrestees, and unsolved cases.
If the DNA profile matches someone already in the database, it could provide investigators with a direct lead in what has become a high-profile and deeply concerning case. If no immediate match is found, the DNA may still prove valuable for future comparisons as the investigation develops. Authorities have emphasized that the case remains active and complex, with multiple investigative avenues still being pursued. Nancy Guthrie was last seen on the night of January 31 and is believed to have been abducted from her home shortly thereafter. Officials have reported signs of forced entry at the residence, as well as blood splatter on the front porch that was later confirmed to belong to Guthrie. Additionally, her pacemaker reportedly lost signal contact shortly after 2 a.m. on February 1, a detail that has heightened concerns about her safety.
Although the suspect reportedly disabled the home’s doorbell camera, investigators were able to recover residual data from the device. On February 11, the FBI publicly released an image showing a masked man approaching the residence armed with a handgun and carrying what authorities described as a 25-liter Ozark Trail Hiker backpack. In the footage, the individual appears to use a clump of brush to cover or obscure the camera lens before entering the home. The FBI has described the suspect as a male approximately 5 feet 9 inches tall with an average build. Officials have since increased the reward for information leading to Guthrie’s safe return or the arrest of a suspect to $100,000, underscoring the urgency of the investigation and the agency’s appeal to the public for assistance.
Investigators have carried out multiple search operations during the course of the case, including a recent raid in the Catalina Foothills area that officials described as yielding leads of interest, though no arrests were made. In addition to ground searches and warrant executions, authorities have deployed specialized technology in an effort to locate any signal from Guthrie’s pacemaker. According to reporting from NewsNation correspondent Brian Entin, a device known as a “signal sniffer” was attached to a sheriff’s helicopter to attempt detection of any remaining pacemaker transmission. The equipment is reportedly capable of identifying such signals, but only when the aircraft flies at low altitude and slow speed, conditions that can limit the scope and efficiency of aerial searches. Federal and local authorities have not publicly confirmed whether any pacemaker signal has been detected. As forensic testing proceeds and investigators continue canvassing for tips, officials reiterate that the case remains active and that every lead — including the glove containing the DNA profile — is being thoroughly examined in the ongoing effort to determine what happened to Nancy Guthrie.
