Nancy Guthrie case update: DNA testing offers hope for breakthrough in missing person investigation—here's what you need to know

Nancy Guthrie case update: Three months after Nancy Guthrie vanished from her Tucson home, investigators are still searching for answers. Now, a forensic science professor believes one key piece of evidence could eventually unlock the case. The latest update has renewed attention on the DNA testing quietly happening behind the scenes.


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Could DNA evidence finally solve the Nancy Guthrie case?

The disappearance of Nancy Guthrie continues to grip national attention nearly three months after she vanished from her Tucson, Arizona, home. Now, forensic experts believe DNA evidence may become the critical breakthrough investigators have been waiting for.

During the special NewsNation Presents: The Nancy Guthrie Mystery, which aired May 6 on The CW, NewsNation correspondent Brian Entin spoke with forensic science professor April Stonehouse about the evidence being analyzed in the case.

Stonehouse, who teaches at Arizona State University, explained why investigators remain hopeful. “We know scientifically that they will leave behind traces of their DNA,” Stonehouse said while discussing the suspected perpetrator. “It’s just a matter of locating and finding it.”

Her comments have added fresh focus to the forensic side of the investigation as authorities continue working through evidence connected to the abduction, as per a report by Parade.

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Why is the forensic testing taking so long?

According to Stonehouse, the challenge may come down to the complexity of the DNA samples investigators are handling.

“So what I wanted to know is, how many people were there? Because I’m showing you a nice mixture that has two people,” she explained. “These are called simple mixtures. When you get to mixtures of three and four and five people, those are called complex mixtures.”

Stonehouse added that more complicated samples can significantly slow down the testing process.
“Or it can take more DNA,” she pointed out. “And so you basically are at the mercy of whatever the suspect left behind.”

The conversation comes after ABC 7 reported in April that a private forensic lab in Florida working alongside the Pima County Sheriff’s Department had forwarded a hair sample to the FBI for further testing, as per a report by Parade.

Genetic genealogist CeCe Moore also weighed in on the investigation during a separate conversation with Entin, describing DNA evidence as a possible “Hail Mary” in solving the case. However, she noted that processing certain types of samples, including rootless hairs, can take months.

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What investigators still do not know

Nancy Guthrie, the mother of Today co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, was last seen on the evening of Jan. 31 at her home in Tucson. Authorities believe she was abducted, but despite months of investigation, no suspect has been publicly identified, as per a report by Parade.

As investigators continue examining forensic evidence, experts believe patience may be necessary before results emerge. When Entin directly asked Stonehouse whether she believed DNA would ultimately solve the mystery, her response was immediate. “I hope it is. I hope it is. Yes, I do.”

The investigation remains active, with authorities continuing to review evidence and pursue leads connected to the high-profile case.

FAQs

What evidence are investigators testing in the Nancy Guthrie case?
Authorities are reportedly analyzing DNA evidence, including a hair sample sent to the FBI.

Has anyone been arrested in the case?
No. Officials have not publicly identified a suspect at this time.