Nancy Guthrie Update: Dramatic DNA Development Could Solve Case

As the Nancy Guthrie investigation rolls into its 15th week, a single strand of DNA could be the determining factor on whether the case is ever solved and a suspect is brought to justice.

According to CBS News, a strand of DNA recovered from Nancy’s home in Tucson, Arizona, is still being evaluated by scientists at the FBI laboratory in Quantico, Virginia. The DNA was first sent by the Pima County Sheriff’s Department to a private laboratory in Florida before it was shipped to the FBI’s crime lab in Quantico.

Nancy, the 84-year-old mother of Today’s Savannah Guthrie, has been missing since February 1, when police believe she was abducted from her home in Tucson. While investigators have released doorbell camera footage of a masked suspect and a description of that individual, no suspects have been named.

Investigators have not publicly revealed where the DNA strand was found or what type of sample it is.

Lance Leising, a former FBI supervisory special agent in Arizona, told CBS News, “An item containing DNA such as a strand of hair found somewhere in a house is one thing, but a strand of hair near the victim’s last known location, such as in her bed, would be a high priority for the FBI.”

Retired FBI Supervisory Special Agent Jason Pack told the outlet that analyzing DNA, including building out family trees and doing forensic comparisons, “takes far longer than television crime dramas would have people believe… That kind of work is slow because it has to be right.”

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos refused to comment on whether the DNA was from a strand of hair, bodily fluid, or another source, telling CBS News, “It would be highly inappropriate of me to speak to the evidence. We have to keep the integrity of this case.”

Nanos added, “If we make an arrest, that individual has the right to a fair trial, [so] I can’t sit here and address all of that. We are working hard with all of our partners to resolve this case, and we will.”

When Fox News asked Nanos on Saturday (May 9) if they were close to solving the case, he responded, “We are,” though he didn’t elaborate.