The arid expanse of the Catalina Foothills outside Tucson, Arizona, is a place where the desert meets suburbia—sprawling homes tucked against rugged mountains, highways slicing through scrubland dotted with saguaro cacti, and vast stretches of open terrain that can hide secrets for years. On February 15, 2026, this landscape delivered another layer of intrigue to one of the nation’s most watched missing persons cases: the abduction of 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie, mother of NBC “Today” show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie. While the FBI pursued forensic leads from a key piece of evidence, New York Post reporters on the ground made a startling discovery—three additional discarded gloves in the very area where investigators had previously recovered a potentially crucial black nitrile glove bearing DNA that may belong to the masked intruder captured on Nancy’s doorbell camera.
The case had already gripped America for two weeks. Nancy Guthrie vanished after a family dinner on January 31, 2026. Her son-in-law dropped her off at her modest single-story home in the Catalina Foothills around 9:45 p.m. She was expected to attend a streamed church service the next morning with a friend, but never arrived. When family members checked on her February 1, the house was eerily quiet—lights on, belongings undisturbed, but no sign of the spry, independent widow who loved gardening, birdwatching, and doting on her grandchildren. A welfare check by the Pima County Sheriff’s Office quickly escalated into a full-scale investigation when blood was found on the front porch and a chilling doorbell camera video surfaced.
The footage, timestamped in the early hours of February 1, showed a figure in a balaclava, dark long-sleeved shirt, and black synthetic gloves approaching the door. The intruder appeared armed, possibly with a handgun holster visible, and tinkered with the Nest camera—perhaps attempting to disable it or test for occupants. The person carried a backpack, suggesting premeditation. This grainy night-vision clip became the haunting centerpiece of the case, replayed endlessly on national news. The suspect’s meticulous use of gloves pointed to forensic awareness, fueling speculation of a calculated crime rather than a random act.
As the search intensified, authorities deployed helicopters, ground teams, K-9 units, and even advanced Bluetooth detectors to ping Nancy’s pacemaker signal. Thousands of tips flooded in after the FBI doubled the reward to $100,000 for information leading to an arrest or conviction. SWAT raids, including one on February 13 near Nancy’s home, yielded no arrests—detainees were released after questioning. Purported ransom notes demanding millions surfaced early but expired without proof of life or further contact, dismissed by investigators as likely hoaxes.
The turning point came around February 10-11 when, during expanded searches, detectives recovered about 16 discarded gloves along roadsides roughly two miles from the Guthrie residence. Most appeared unrelated—litter from passersby or even search teams—but one black nitrile glove stood out. It visually resembled those worn by the doorbell suspect, who seemed to layer gloves (possibly wearing a pair underneath for extra protection). FBI forensic teams collected it under bright lights, bagging it for lab analysis. By February 15, preliminary results revealed DNA from an unknown male profile inside the glove. Sources briefed on the investigation told outlets like Fox News, CNN, and ABC that this could be “from the armed suspect” in the doorbell cam footage. The profile awaited quality control before entry into CODIS, the national DNA database, but optimism surged—this could unmask the perpetrator.
Enter The New York Post’s on-the-ground reporting. On Sunday afternoon, February 15—amid the same Catalina Foothills stretch along the southbound highway that a fleeing kidnapper might have used toward Tucson or the Mexican border—reporters Jared Downing, Anthony Blair, and Joe Marino spotted three more discarded gloves in plain view. Close enough to the roadway to suggest they were tossed from a moving vehicle, the finds included:
- A leather work glove, weathered and practical.
- A woven blue glove, perhaps for lighter use.
- A red glove that looked “peeled” off hastily, left crumpled on the desert fringe.
A yellow glove was also noted in photo captions from the scene. These items lay exposed, easily visible from the highway in a secluded area with no nearby homes—just side streets branching into suburban subdivisions. The reporters immediately alerted the Pima County Sheriff’s Department, highlighting potential gaps in the exhaustive two-week search. While it’s unclear if these specific gloves connect to the crime—the desert roadside is littered with all manner of debris—their proximity to the FBI’s key find raised eyebrows. The prevalence of gloves in the area complicated evidence collection: many of the 16 previously recovered items belonged to searchers who discarded them carelessly.
This discovery underscored the challenges of the investigation. The vast Sonoran Desert terrain, with its rocky washes and dense brush, can conceal evidence—or a body—for extended periods. Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos had warned that finding Nancy could take “years” without a breakthrough. Yet hope persisted. An inside source told AZFamily that investigators increasingly believed this was a “burglary gone wrong” and that Nancy might still be alive. Blood on the porch suggested violence, but no massive scene indicated she could have been taken alive.
Savannah Guthrie, balancing her high-profile role with private anguish, released a poignant video on February 15—the two-week mark. In it, she addressed the abductor directly: “It’s never too late to do the right thing.” Her voice steady but emotional, she reiterated the family’s unwavering hope: “We still believe.” Family photos shared online showed Nancy’s warm smile, silver hair catching the light, surrounded by grandchildren—images that humanized the statistics and fueled public empathy. Savannah’s pleas amplified the case, drawing comparisons to other high-profile abductions while emphasizing Nancy’s vulnerability as an elderly woman living alone.
The Post’s glove finds added urgency. If any prove linked—via DNA, fibers, or manufacturing marks—they could corroborate or expand on the FBI’s lead. Forensic experts note that nitrile gloves retain excellent touch DNA from sweat and skin cells, especially if layered. A match could generate a suspect profile, leading to genealogy searches or arrests. Retired FBI agents urged rapid testing: “Every hour matters.”
As the third week dawns on February 16, 2026, the investigation presses forward. No arrests, no confirmed suspect, but momentum builds around forensic evidence. The highway where gloves litter the roadside now symbolizes both despair and determination—a path the kidnapper may have taken, and one authorities hope will lead back to Nancy.
Nancy Guthrie’s story transcends celebrity; it’s about an elderly woman who deserved peace in her golden years, snatched in the night. Her family’s resolve, the nation’s attention, and tireless law enforcement efforts converge in Tucson’s desert. Whether the additional gloves yield answers or become another red herring, one truth remains: time is critical. Every discarded item, every tip, every plea inches closer to resolution—or heartbreak. The desert holds its secrets tightly, but the search for Nancy Guthrie refuses to relent.
