Pima County Sheriff Maintains Belief in Nancy Guthrie's Survival Despite Glove Discovery

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos has reiterated his belief that missing 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie is still alive, citing the absence of 'proof of death' as a critical factor in his determination. Speaking to Fox10 in a recent interview, Nanos emphasized that the lack of conclusive evidence indicating her demise fuels his team's relentless search. His remarks came just hours after authorities confirmed that a black nitrile glove discovered two miles from Nancy's home in Tucson failed to match DNA found inside her property or criminal databases. This revelation, while a setback, did not deter the sheriff from expressing unwavering confidence in the investigation's trajectory.

The glove had initially raised hopes as a potential breakthrough, having appeared to match the hand of a masked suspect captured on Nancy's doorbell camera during the early hours of February 1. However, the failure to identify a match has prompted a reevaluation of the evidence. Nanos acknowledged the setback but argued that the glove's location and relevance were less critical than other DNA samples collected at the scene. 'You take a fingerprint, and you hope to match it right away,' he said. 'But that's not that easy.' He insisted that additional DNA evidence from the property remains under analysis and could prove pivotal.

Nanos' comments have come amid mounting scrutiny over his handling of the case. Critics have questioned his initial response to Nancy's disappearance, particularly in the first hours of the search. The sheriff, however, has refused to waver in his commitment to the investigation. 'My team, 400 people out there in the field today, woke up this morning and went out there with the hope and the belief that they're going to find Nancy,' he stated. His message to the public was clear: 'We're going to continue working this case, every minute of every day, and we will find her.'

The search for Nancy has entered its third week with no suspects or persons of interest named. Authorities have also revealed that 16 gloves were found around her home, most of which were traced back to investigators. This discovery followed the brief detention of delivery driver Carlos Palazuelos, who was released without charge after denying any involvement in Nancy's abduction. Meanwhile, FBI agents have interviewed multiple individuals, including the driver of a Range Rover Sport, but no arrests have been made.

Public frustration has grown as the investigation continues to yield no major leads. The Pima County Sheriff's Department has reported receiving over 18,000 calls related to the case, generating between 40,000 and 50,000 potential leads. The FBI, meanwhile, has logged more than 13,000 tips. Despite these numbers, the lack of actionable evidence has left authorities and the public in a state of limbo. Nanos has repeatedly stressed that his team is not losing hope, though the pressure on him to deliver results intensifies daily.

Nancy's family, including her daughter Savannah Guthrie, remains a central figure in the search. Savannah has publicly appealed to anyone holding her mother, urging them to 'do the right thing' and return Nancy to her loved ones. The sheriff has also taken steps to reassure the family, emphasizing that he will not 'crush' their hopes. 'I'm going to have that faith, and sometimes that faith, that hope, is all we have,' Nanos said. His message to the suspect behind the disappearance was stark: 'Let her go, just let her go. It will work out better for you in the long run, trust me.'

Authorities have already cleared several family members as suspects, including Nancy's son-in-law Tommaso Cioni, who had faced online speculation about his involvement. The sheriff's office has made it clear that Nancy's family are victims in this case, not perpetrators. As the investigation continues, the focus remains on piecing together the fragmented evidence, even as the public waits for answers. For now, Nanos' words—'We will find her'—remain the only certainty in a case that has left the community in suspense.