In a significant development in the search for Nancy Guthrie, the missing mother of US television host Savannah Guthrie, three people have been detained by authorities. Law enforcement officers sealed off a road near her home in Tucson, Arizona, as part of the intensive investigation into her disappearance.
Roadblock and Forensics Activity
A parade of sheriff's and FBI vehicles, including forensics units, passed through a roadblock established on Friday approximately 3 kilometres from Guthrie's residence. US TV network NewsNation reported that two individuals, appearing to be a man and a woman, were brought out of a home located down the road from Guthrie's property.
Local residents expressed shock at the sudden police activity. "Suddenly we saw the lights and then we started looking on the news and oh my goodness, it's our house. They're right out front of our house. It's a big surprise," one local told 7NEWS.
Joint Investigation with FBI
The Pima County Sheriff's Department confirmed that the activity was directly related to the Guthrie case but stated that further information was unavailable due to it being a joint investigation with the FBI. Nancy Guthrie, 84, was reported missing on February 1, and she has now been missing for over two weeks.
Clues and Suspects
Investigators have been closing in on a suspect for several days, discovering multiple gloves in Guthrie's neighbourhood. Authorities recently revealed they found crucial DNA evidence at her property that did not match anyone within her inner circle.
"We think we're getting there. We think we're getting closer," said Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos. Purported ransom notes were sent to news outlets, but two deadlines for payment have passed without resolution.
National Attention and Health Concerns
The kidnapping has stunned the nation, with former US President Donald Trump commenting on the motive. "Somebody either knew what they were doing very well or they were rank amateurs. Either way, it's not a good situation," he said. So far, there is no indication that authorities have located Guthrie.
Investigators have expressed concerns about Guthrie's health, as she requires daily medication. She is said to have a pacemaker and has dealt with high blood pressure and heart issues, adding urgency to the search efforts.
Extensive Evidence Collection
Law enforcement has undertaken a massive evidence-gathering operation, including:
- Studying surveillance video
- Sorting through thousands of tips
- Submitting DNA and other evidence for laboratory analysis
The FBI reported collecting more than 13,000 tips since Guthrie was reported missing, while the sheriff's department has taken at least 18,000 calls.
Video Footage Release
On Tuesday, authorities released footage showing an armed, masked individual at Guthrie's doorstep on the night she was abducted. The videos, less than a combined minute in length, provided investigators and the public with their first glimpse of the person outside her home in the foothills outside Tucson.
Experts suggest the video could contain a mountain of clues that may aid in solving the case. Despite these developments, the search for Nancy Guthrie continues, with no confirmed sightings or recovery reported to date.
