DNA Testing Offers Hope in Guthrie Abduction Case

Investigators focus on gloves found near victim's home as potential breakthrough

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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As the investigation into the abduction of 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie, mother of 'Today' show co-host Savannah Guthrie, enters its third week, authorities are hopeful that DNA testing on gloves found near her home could provide a crucial lead. The FBI has detected an 'unknown male' DNA profile on the gloves and is loading it into a national database in search of a match.

Why it matters

The Guthrie case has captivated the public, and any potential forensic evidence could be a breakthrough in solving the mystery of her disappearance. DNA analysis is a powerful tool for investigators, and if the profile on the gloves can be linked to a suspect, it could be a major development in the case.

The details

The gloves were collected last week from a field about two miles from Guthrie's home near Tucson, Arizona. Forensic experts say the DNA on the gloves could reveal the identity of the wearer and potentially link them to the victim. Investigators also found additional gloves in the area, most of which belonged to searchers, as well as unidentified DNA on Guthrie's property.

  • On February 1, Guthrie was taken from her home.
  • Last week, the gloves were collected from a field near her home.
  • This week, the gloves were sent to a private lab in Florida for DNA analysis.

The players

Nancy Guthrie

The 84-year-old mother of 'Today' show co-host Savannah Guthrie, who was abducted from her home on February 1.

Savannah Guthrie

The co-host of the 'Today' show, whose mother Nancy Guthrie was abducted.

Peter Valentin

The chair of the forensic science department at the University of New Haven, who commented on the potential of the DNA evidence found on the gloves.

FBI

The federal law enforcement agency that is investigating the Guthrie abduction case and analyzing the DNA evidence.

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What they’re saying

“DNA is so easily transferred from one surface to another that the glove can tell us a bit of a story, not just give us information about who is wearing the glove.”

— Peter Valentin, Chair of the forensic science department, University of New Haven (New York Times)

What’s next

The FBI expects the DNA analysis on the gloves to produce results within days, which could provide a crucial lead in the ongoing investigation into Nancy Guthrie's abduction.

The takeaway

The discovery of an 'unknown male' DNA profile on the gloves found near the victim's home offers investigators a potential breakthrough in the high-profile Guthrie abduction case. If the DNA can be matched to a suspect, it could be a major development in solving the mystery surrounding the 84-year-old's disappearance.