The search for NBC anchor Savannah Guthrie’s mother, Nancy Guthrie, reached a critical stage on Friday evening. Acting on the latest lead, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant on a residence approximately 2 miles from the victim’s home, dispatching a SWAT team to detain three individuals.
On Friday evening, the Pima County Sheriff’s Department deployed armored vehicles and forensic vehicles, cordoning off an area in Tucson.
According to Fox News, authorities disclosed that following the search warrant execution, two males and one of their mothers were detained as part of the ongoing investigation to establish their connection to the kidnapping case, although it remains unclear if they have been officially named as suspects.
CNN reporters on the scene observed a significant presence of police forces and forensic vehicles entering and exiting the area.
Earlier, investigators collected a DNA sample not belonging to the victim or her relatives at Nancy Guthrie’s residence, which has been sent to the lab for analysis. A few hours later, the SWAT team initiated their operation.
In addition, law enforcement located several gloves 10 miles from the residence, currently undergoing relevant testing.
Despite the intensive operation, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos maintained caution, telling CNN that investigators have yet to confirm if the DNA recovered at Nancy’s residence belongs to a suspect.
The sheriff’s department later announced on social media that there would be no press conference tonight but that a written statement detailing the latest progress will be released.
As the case enters its 13th day, the FBI has increased the reward for providing information from $50,000 to $100,000. According to surveillance footage, the suspect is a male approximately 175-178 cm (5’9″-5’10”) tall, with a medium build, carrying an Ozark Trail Hiker backpack at the time of the incident.
The 84-year-old Nancy was last seen on January 31, and a missing person report was filed on February 1. Traces of blood found at the scene suggest she may have been forcefully abducted. Following the incident, multiple ransom letters have surfaced, with one sent to TMZ hinting at a possible international abduction.
Authorities urge residents living within 2 miles of the victim’s residence to provide any surveillance footage from the month leading up to the incident to assist in clarifying the suspect’s movements.