The search for 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie has taken a new turn after suspicious items were reported in the desert near her Tucson residence.
According to KVOA, an Arizona couple contacted authorities after coming across two black gloves and a rock marked with what appeared to be dried blood. The items were discovered on February 11 in the Catalina Foothills area, roughly one mile from Nancy Guthrie’s home and about 10 feet apart off Campbell Avenue.
Nancy, the mother of NBC Today show host Savannah Guthrie, was reported missing after she vanished on January 31.
Couple reports alarming desert discovery
The couple, who asked to remain anonymous, described noticing one of the gloves lying in the desert and said it appeared damaged. “Sure enough it was a black glove in the desert it appeared to have looked like it was ripped. It also appeared to like it looked like it had blood on it. The blood appeared to be towards the wrist side of the glove and on the pointer finger,” they told the outlet.
They said they deliberately avoided touching either item out of concern for preserving potential evidence. Instead, they documented the scene and contacted the Pima County Sheriff’s Department immediately.
“And also from the glove it looked like a blood drop on a rock underneath the glove was like dried blood or something. We didn’t move it or touch it. We immediately were like, we have to do something. So I was like I will call the sheriff department,” the husband explained.
Investigators continue to collect evidence in Tucson neighborhood
Law enforcement officers responded to the area, questioned the couple, and later allowed them to leave. Officials reportedly remained at the scene until approximately 2 a.m.
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department confirmed to the outlet that detectives and agents have recovered multiple gloves from the surrounding area as part of the ongoing investigation.
“We cannot confirm at this time. Detectives and agents have collected multiple gloves from the area, and analysis is part of the investigation,” the department stated.
Authorities have not confirmed whether the gloves found by the couple are among those submitted for testing. DNA gathered from other gloves previously recovered has not produced any matches in the FBI’s database.
Investigators have indicated that some of the gloves located in the neighborhood may resemble those worn by an armed individual reportedly seen outside Nancy’s home on the morning she disappeared.
As the case moves into its 20th day, officials continue examining physical evidence while the search for Nancy Guthrie remains active.
