A pair of black gloves was found during the search for Nancy Guthrie, the mother of “Today” show co-host Savannah Guthrie, sources confirmed. The gloves will undergo DNA testing.
Video footage shows investigators collecting one of the gloves from the side of a road approximately a mile and a half from Guthrie’s Arizona home. The glove, seen in images, bears a resemblance to one worn by a person captured on video outside the 84-year-old’s residence the night she disappeared.
The discovery comes after the Pima County Sheriff’s Department reported receiving thousands of new tips following the release of surveillance video showing a masked individual tampering with a front porch camera.
Retired FBI special agent Lance Leising explained that the surveillance footage is generating a wealth of leads. “From the backpack to the holster, to the potential weapon, to the jacket, to the flashlight in his mouth, to the unique ski mask … most of them have some unique characteristics that will absolutely be followed up on,” he said.
Investigators have been searching for Nancy Guthrie for nearly two weeks, pursuing clues and soliciting information as they attempt to identify a suspect or suspects. The grandmother and mother of three was last seen on Jan. 31. Authorities believe she was abducted from her home overnight.
The FBI is investigating a ransom note initially sent to a local television station demanding payment in Bitcoin. The Guthrie family, at one point, indicated a willingness to pay despite receiving no proof of life and has issued multiple video appeals for their mother’s safe return.
Reports indicate a second note demanding Bitcoin was received by another outlet on Wednesday from someone claiming to have information about the kidnapping.
Cybersecurity expert Alex Stamos noted that a significant amount of cybercrime relies on cryptocurrency, but countered the common misconception that these transactions are untraceable. “That is totally untrue,” he said. “Most cryptocurrency transactions happen in complete view of the public.”
The sheriff’s office stated they have received over 18,000 tips in the last 12 days. The FBI continues to request public assistance and is offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to Guthrie’s whereabouts.
