Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos on Monday said the family of Nancy Guthrie is not suspected in her abduction, pushing back against speculation as the high-profile case continues in southern Arizona.

“The Guthrie family are victims plain and simple,” Nanos said in a statement, adding that all siblings and spouses have been cooperative with investigators. “To suggest otherwise is not only wrong, it is cruel.”

Nancy Guthrie, 84, was last seen on January 31 when relatives dropped her off at her Tucson-area home after dinner. She was reported missing the following day. Authorities have stated that Guthrie had severely limited mobility and could not have left the residence without assistance, leading investigators to conclude early on that she was taken against her will.

Investigators recently obtained a DNA sample from a glove discovered near her home. Officials said the DNA appears to match gloves worn by a masked individual captured on doorbell camera footage prior to the abduction. Traces of blood found on Guthrie’s front porch were confirmed through DNA testing to belong to her.

At least two alleged ransom notes have surfaced since her disappearance, both initially sent to media outlets. Authorities say there has been no direct contact between the suspected captors and either the family or law enforcement.

Sheriff Nanos has stated that no proof of life has emerged, but emphasized that there is also no evidence confirming Guthrie’s death. “There’s not been any proof of death either,” he said, maintaining that investigators are operating under the presumption that she remains alive.

Nancy Guthrie is the mother of Savannah Guthrie, co-anchor of NBC’s “Today” show. Savannah Guthrie, along with her siblings Camron and Annie Guthrie, has issued public appeals for information and pleaded for her mother’s safe return.

Authorities continue to pursue leads and have not announced any arrests as the investigation remains active.