Guthrie update: Black gloves recovered as Nancy Guthrie search expands and DNA testing begins

Investigators searching for Nancy Guthrie, 84, recovered a pair of black gloves in the Catalina Foothills area near Tucson, Arizona, and have sent them for forensic testing as they work through a growing volume of leads. The gloves are being examined for DNA and other trace evidence that could help identify the person seen on newly released surveillance imagery near Guthrie’s home around the time she disappeared.

What’s new today

Law enforcement confirmed the black gloves were found in the neighborhood during active search operations and are now part of the evidence stream being processed. Investigators have not publicly described the gloves in detail beyond their color, nor have they said whether the gloves appear to match anything visible in the surveillance footage.

The case has also generated an intense public response, with authorities logging roughly 18,000 tips since the search began. Officials have emphasized that each lead must be evaluated and corroborated, and that a large tip volume can slow triage as much as it helps.

Why the gloves matter

Investigators are testing the gloves for DNA and fingerprints, looking for any biological material that could be compared to known profiles or entered into investigative databases where legally permitted. The gloves could also carry environmental trace evidence—such as fibers, plant material, or residues—that might help place a suspect in a particular location or vehicle.

Officials have not said where exactly the gloves were recovered relative to the home, and they have not confirmed any forensic results yet. Until testing is completed, investigators are treating the gloves as a potential lead rather than a definitive break in the case.

Surveillance footage and the investigative focus

Investigators recently released video imagery showing an armed, masked individual near Guthrie’s front door in the time window tied to her disappearance. Authorities say the person appears to tamper with the doorbell camera, which has sharpened the investigative focus on an abduction scenario rather than a voluntary disappearance.

Law enforcement has also urged residents in the surrounding area to review and share home-security footage, expanding the timeframe they want neighbors to check. The goal is to identify suspicious movement patterns—people on foot, parked vehicles, or repeated drive-bys—that could support a timeline and narrow down suspect routes.

Leads evaluated, no charges announced

In the last several days, investigators briefly detained a man for questioning after a traffic stop in southern Arizona; he was later released without charges. Authorities have not publicly named any suspect and have not announced an arrest.

Officials have also acknowledged receiving messages linked to ransom demands involving cryptocurrency, but the authenticity of those communications and any connection to Guthrie’s disappearance remain unclear in public updates. No verified proof-of-life has been publicly confirmed.

Key facts at this stage

What to watch next

The next meaningful update is likely to hinge on forensic turnaround and whether the glove testing yields a usable DNA profile—or links to other evidence already collected from the scene. Separately, investigators’ expanded push for neighborhood footage suggests they are trying to map movement before and after the disappearance, which could help identify vehicles, routes, or accomplices.

Until authorities publicly confirm a suspect identity or announce charges, the case remains in an evidence-building phase: validate tips, strengthen the timeline, and translate physical and digital clues into a coherent account of what happened—and where Nancy Guthrie may be now.