Authorities are investigating the kidnapping of Today The show’s co-host Savannah Guthrie’s mother, Nancy Guthrie, believes the suspect deliberately targeted the 84-year-old man.
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos told NBC Today that the case was difficult, but his team is focused.
“I think he was an individual who had a target for whatever reason, and he made it difficult, but I also have some pretty tough investigators.”
Investigators are prioritizing DNA evidence recovered from inside Nancy’s Tucson home.
While a glove found two miles away yielded no matches in the national database, Nanos said DNA from the residence may be more critical: “We think we may have DNA there that could be our suspect, but we won’t know until that DNA is separated and sorted.”
Surveillance footage released earlier this month shows a masked man with a gun and gloves on Nancy’s front porch in the early hours of February 1.
The FBI described the suspect as a man, approximately 5’9″ to 5’10”, of medium build, carrying a black 25-liter Ozark Trail backpack.
Nanos acknowledged speculation that the suspect may have worn a ring under his glove, saying his team was looking into the details.
The case gained national attention because of the Savannah Guthrie connection, with viewers and colleagues showing their support.
During Wednesday’s show, Today presenters wore yellow ribbons as a sign of solidarity, echoing the displays of yellow flowers in Tucson.
The FBI is offering a $100,000 reward for information leading to the recovery or arrest of Nancy Guthrie.
