DNA Clears Restaurant Worker in Nancy Guthrie Gloves Mystery

Focus shifts back to surveillance video as key evidence in suspected abduction

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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DNA evidence has cleared a restaurant worker of any involvement in the mysterious disappearance of 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie in Tucson, Arizona. The black gloves found near Guthrie's home were traced back to the worker, who was employed at a restaurant across the street from where the gloves were discovered. This development allows investigators to refocus their efforts on the surveillance video footage, which they believe holds the key to solving Guthrie's suspected abduction.

Why it matters

The resolution of the gloves mystery helps to eliminate a potential distraction and allows the Pima County Sheriff's Department to concentrate on the most promising lead - the surveillance video footage that captured a masked figure near Guthrie's home on the night she disappeared. Clearing the restaurant worker also refutes claims of evidence mishandling, which had threatened to undermine public confidence in the investigation.

The details

The gloves were discovered roughly two miles from Guthrie's Tucson residence nearly three weeks after her disappearance on January 31. Their appearance matched that of the gloves worn by the suspect seen on the porch surveillance footage, leading to speculation that they were connected to the case. However, DNA analysis has now traced the gloves to a restaurant worker across the street from where they were found, clearing that individual of any involvement.

  • Nancy Guthrie was last seen at her home around 9:30 p.m. on January 31.
  • Guthrie was reported missing by a friend on February 1 after she failed to attend church.
  • The gloves were discovered on February 15, about two miles from Guthrie's home.
  • On March 2, Sheriff Chris Nanos announced that the DNA from the gloves matched a restaurant worker, clearing that individual of any involvement.
  • On March 4, the sheriff's department confirmed that the restaurant worker is not part of the investigation.

The players

Nancy Guthrie

An 84-year-old woman who went missing from her Tucson, Arizona home on January 31. She was last seen with strong cognitive abilities but limited mobility, unable to walk more than 50 yards unaided and reliant on daily medication.

Savannah Guthrie

The daughter of Nancy Guthrie and a Today show anchor.

Chris Nanos

The Pima County Sheriff who has been leading the investigation into Nancy Guthrie's disappearance.

Derrick Callella

An individual arrested by the FBI for sending hoax kidnap messages to the Guthrie family, though no genuine contact from abductors has surfaced.

Matt Finn

A Fox News correspondent who noted that the glove yielded no investigative hit, underscoring the need for fresh leads.

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What they’re saying

“The owner of the glove, we found working at a restaurant across the street.”

— Chris Nanos, Pima County Sheriff

“The gloves have nothing to do with the case.”

— Chris Nanos, Pima County Sheriff

“The crime lab was able to recover a DNA profile from it. CODIS results expected within a day.”

— Pima County Sheriff's Department (Twitter)

What’s next

Investigators are employing genetic genealogy on home DNA evidence, a method proven in past high-profile cases. The FBI arrested Derrick Callella for sending hoax kidnap messages to the family, but no genuine contact from abductors has surfaced. A reward stands at £75,013 ($100,000) for tips leading to Guthrie's location, increased on 12 February.

The takeaway

The resolution of the gloves mystery allows the Pima County Sheriff's Department to refocus its efforts on the surveillance video footage, which they believe holds the key to solving Nancy Guthrie's suspected abduction. This development also helps to restore public confidence in the investigation by refuting claims of evidence mishandling.