Authorities Await DNA Evidence in Nancy Guthrie Kidnapping Case

Daughter Savannah Guthrie pleads with abductors to 'do the right thing' as investigation enters third week

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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The investigation into the abduction of 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie has entered its third week, with authorities awaiting key DNA evidence and daughter Savannah Guthrie urging her mother's kidnappers to come forward. While a glove matching a suspect was found miles from Guthrie's home, no suspects have been named and the lack of progress has raised concerns about her welfare.

Why it matters

The high-profile kidnapping case has captivated the nation, with President Trump threatening 'severe' punishment for the abductors. The investigation's challenges and lack of leads so far have sparked frustration and questions about how long it will take to find Nancy Guthrie and bring her captors to justice.

The details

Investigators got their first major break in the case with the release of footage showing an armed, masked man approaching Guthrie's home the night she was abducted. DNA evidence was also found on a glove discovered miles from the home, matching the suspect. Authorities detained a man in connection with the investigation but later released him without charges. A search warrant was executed at a Tucson home, but no arrests were made.

  • Nancy Guthrie was abducted from her Tucson home on February 1.
  • On February 2, news outlets received ransom notes that investigators treated as legitimate.
  • On February 14, the FBI said DNA was found on a glove discovered several miles from Guthrie's home, matching a masked person seen outside the home.
  • On February 15, Savannah Guthrie issued a public plea to her mother's abductors to 'do the right thing'.

The players

Nancy Guthrie

An 84-year-old woman who was abducted from her Tucson home on February 1.

Savannah Guthrie

The daughter of Nancy Guthrie, who has publicly pleaded with her mother's abductors to come forward.

President Trump

The President of the United States, who has threatened 'severe' punishment for Nancy Guthrie's abductors.

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What they’re saying

“And I wanted to say to whoever has her or knows where she is that it's never too late, and you're not lost or alone, and it is never too late to do the right thing. We are here and we believe, and we believe in the essential goodness of every human being, and it's never too late.”

— Savannah Guthrie (Instagram)

“The most, yeah — that's true.”

— President Trump (New York Post)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow the man detained in connection with the investigation to be released on bail.

The takeaway

This high-profile kidnapping case has captivated the nation, raising concerns about Nancy Guthrie's welfare and the investigation's lack of progress so far. The discovery of DNA evidence and public pleas from her daughter highlight the urgency to find Guthrie and bring her abductors to justice.