Tucson, Arizona – Authorities investigating the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, mother of Savannah Guthrie, co-host of NBC’s “Today” show, have discovered DNA at her property that does not match her own or that of close contacts, officials announced . The discovery comes nearly two weeks after Guthrie was believed to have been forcibly taken from her Tucson home during the night of .
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos defended the decision to send evidence to a private lab in Florida for DNA analysis, rather than utilizing the FBI’s facilities in Quantico, Virginia. Nanos stated his agency has a long-standing relationship with the Florida lab and prefers to consolidate testing in a single facility to streamline the process and ensure consistent reporting. “It adds a step that’s not needed,” Nanos told CBS News in an interview . “If you have two labs you’re looking at, and one’s bad or one’s better, that’s fine. That’s not the case here, nobody’s saying that.”
The sheriff’s department has not disclosed the specific location on the property where the unidentified DNA was found, but confirmed This proves currently being analyzed. Investigators are also examining several gloves discovered as far as 10 miles from Guthrie’s residence, according to an update released by the department. The FBI is contributing to the investigation and has doubled the reward for information leading to Guthrie’s whereabouts to $100,000.
The FBI has released a description of a potential suspect, identified as a male between 5’9” and 5’10” tall with an average build. He was observed in doorbell footage carrying an Ozark Trail Hiker backpack. Authorities are appealing to residents within a two-mile radius of Guthrie’s home to submit any relevant surveillance footage from approximately a month prior to her disappearance.
While the discovery of foreign DNA represents a significant development, Sheriff Nanos cautioned against drawing premature conclusions. “We did get some DNA back, and we are looking at all those things,” he said. “Boy, I wish it did [lead to a suspect]. Not yet. We’ve got DNA, and it’s still working, that’s all I can tell you.”
The case has drawn national attention, prompting CNN to announce a live one-hour special, “The Search For Nancy Guthrie,” scheduled to air on at 11 p.m. ET. The program will feature reporting from the Tucson crime scene and analysis from former FBI officials, profilers, and forensic analysts. CNN is soliciting questions from the public to be addressed during the broadcast.
The investigation is proceeding as authorities attempt to piece together the events surrounding Guthrie’s disappearance. The focus remains on identifying the source of the recovered DNA and establishing a clear timeline of events. Andrew McCabe, a CNN senior law enforcement analyst, emphasized the close collaboration between the Pima County Sheriff’s Department and the FBI, stating, “I have no doubt” that the two agencies are working together effectively.
This case echoes other investigations where advancements in forensic DNA technology have played a crucial role in identifying both victims and perpetrators decades after crimes occurred. A recent example, highlighted by DNA Solves, involved the identification of Jessie Lee Williamson, a man murdered in 1978 whose remains were finally identified in after forensic evidence was submitted to Othram, a Texas-based forensic genealogy company. Similarly, partial remains found in were linked to a previously identified missing person, demonstrating the increasing power of DNA analysis in resolving cold cases.
The use of private forensic labs, as in this case, is becoming increasingly common as law enforcement agencies seek to expedite analysis and access specialized expertise. However, it also raises questions about quality control and standardization across different facilities. Sheriff Nanos maintains that the Florida lab provides reliable results and that utilizing a single facility simplifies the investigative process.
As the search for Nancy Guthrie continues, authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward. The FBI’s reward of $100,000 remains in effect, and investigators are hopeful that the analysis of the recovered DNA will provide a crucial breakthrough in the case. The public is encouraged to submit any relevant surveillance footage or information to the Pima County Sheriff’s Department.
