The family of Nancy Guthrie has been eliminated as potential suspects in her disappearance, according to Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos, who made the announcement Monday as the investigation into the abduction of the Today show co-host’s mother continues into its third week.
Sheriff Nanos praised the cooperation of Nancy Guthrie’s relatives, including “all siblings and spouses,” throughout the investigation process.
“To suggest otherwise is not only wrong, it is cruel,” Nanos stated. “The Guthrie family are victims plain and simple.”
Law enforcement officials revealed Sunday that they had secured DNA evidence from a glove discovered near the 84-year-old woman’s Tucson-area residence. The glove appears to correspond with those worn by a masked individual captured on doorbell camera video prior to the abduction that occurred two weeks ago.
The elderly woman was last observed on January 31 when family members brought her home following dinner together. Her disappearance was reported to authorities the next day by concerned relatives.
According to Sheriff Nanos, Nancy Guthrie had severe mobility restrictions and would have been unable to leave her residence without assistance, prompting investigators to quickly determine she had been forcibly taken.
Since her disappearance, at least two alleged ransom demands have emerged, both initially sent to media organizations. However, authorities report no direct communication has occurred between the suspected kidnappers and either the family or law enforcement officials.
DNA analysis confirmed that blood traces discovered on the victim’s front porch belonged to Nancy Guthrie, officials revealed last week. Both investigators and family members have indicated she was in poor health and required daily medications for survival. She also relied on a pacemaker.
Savannah Guthrie, the 54-year-old co-host of NBC’s popular morning program Today, has released multiple video appeals alongside her siblings Camron Guthrie and Annie Guthrie, urging their mother’s safe return and requesting public assistance in the case.
While Sheriff Nanos acknowledged to Reuters that no evidence confirming Nancy Guthrie is alive has emerged since the kidnapping, he noted that “there’s not been any proof of death either.” He indicated his investigation continues under the assumption that she remains alive.
Source: https://srnnews.com/guthrie-family-not-suspects-in-arizona-kidnapping-sheriff-says/
