The desperate search for 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie has entered a critical new phase, as investigators pursue fresh forensic leads and her daughter, Savannah Guthrie, makes an emotional public plea to whoever may be responsible.

Nancy, the mother of the longtime Today host, vanished from her home in Tucson in the early hours of Sunday, Feb. 1, under circumstances authorities say strongly suggest an abduction. Nearly two weeks later, the case has gripped the nation, as family members, law enforcement, and the public cling to hope that she will be found alive.

Savannah broke her silence in a brief but powerful message directed at the unknown suspect.

“Please,” she said, her voice shaking with emotion, “if you have my mother, do the right thing. Let her come home.”

Those simple words captured the anguish of a daughter caught in every family’s worst nightmare — waiting, hoping, and fearing all at once.

Investigators with the Pima County Sheriff’s Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation have been working around the clock, and recent forensic developments may prove pivotal.

In a major update, authorities confirmed that unknown DNA has been recovered from Nancy’s property.

“DNA other than Nancy Guthrie’s and those in close contact to her has been collected,” the sheriff’s department said in a statement. “Investigators are working to identify who it belongs to.”

Officials have not disclosed exactly where the DNA was found, citing concerns about protecting the integrity of the investigation. However, the confirmation of unidentified genetic material has intensified hopes that a suspect could soon be identified.

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said investigators are making measurable progress.

“We’ve gotten DNA back,” he told ABC News. “We’re comparing it to samples from individuals known to have access to the home.”

His tone was cautious but optimistic.

“We are not giving up,” he added. “We’re getting closer.”

The sheriff also addressed widespread speculation about physical evidence recovered near the home. Several gloves were discovered during the investigation, though officials clarified that none were found inside the residence itself.

“The closest glove was located approximately two miles from the home,” the department said, emphasizing that reports of gloves inside the house were inaccurate.

Each piece of evidence, no matter how small, could hold the key to understanding what happened during those early morning hours.

Adding to the chilling nature of the case, the FBI previously released surveillance images showing an armed, masked individual outside Nancy’s home before her disappearance. The footage appears to show the person tampering with a security camera, suggesting premeditation and planning.

For Savannah and her family, every new development brings both hope and heartbreak.

Sources close to the family say they are living moment to moment, waiting for any news — good or bad.

Nancy, described by friends and neighbors as kind, independent, and deeply devoted to her family, had lived a quiet life in Tucson. Her sudden disappearance has stunned those who knew her.

“She’s the kind of person who remembers your birthday, who checks in on you,” one neighbor said. “You just can’t imagine someone taking her.”

Investigators have been careful not to publicly speculate about motive, but the circumstances have led authorities to treat the case as a kidnapping from the beginning.

Meanwhile, Savannah has continued to balance her public role with private grief. Colleagues say she has been surrounded by loved ones and supported by her Today show family.

On air, her co-hosts have acknowledged the situation with sensitivity, expressing solidarity while respecting her privacy.

Behind the scenes, the waiting is agonizing.

Every phone call carries the possibility of life-changing news. Every day without answers deepens the uncertainty.

Law enforcement officials stress that forensic analysis takes time, but DNA evidence has proven decisive in countless cases.

Sheriff Nanos emphasized that identifying the unknown DNA is now a top priority.

“That could be the piece that connects everything,” he said.

The involvement of federal investigators reflects the seriousness of the case. FBI agents have been seen canvassing the neighborhood, reviewing footage, and coordinating with local authorities.

For Savannah, the investigation is more than headlines and procedures. It is her mother’s life.

Her public message — calm, direct, and filled with emotion — was both a plea and a statement of hope.

Those close to her say she believes her mother is still out there.

And until answers come, that belief is all she has.

The search continues.