Nancy Guthrie & Savannah Guthrie
Nancy Guthrie & Savannah Guthrie

TUCSON, Ariz. — Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos expressed growing confidence Monday that forensic laboratories, including the FBI's premier facility in Quantico, Virginia, are closing in on identifying unknown DNA recovered from blood spatter at the home of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of NBC "Today" co-anchor Savannah Guthrie who vanished more than 100 days ago.

In his most detailed public update yet on the high-profile case, Nanos pushed back firmly against suggestions that the investigation has stalled or become a cold case, insisting that cutting-edge genetic analysis is progressing and could yield a major breakthrough soon.

"We have DNA that is unknown — who the contributor or depositor is — but I think they're getting closer to finding out who that was," Nanos told reporters. "When the labs tell us, 'Hey, there's nothing else we can do,' well, then maybe we've got a problem... we've got a cold case. But right now, the labs aren't telling us that."

Nancy Guthrie was last seen on Feb. 1, 2026, after being dropped off at her residence in the Catalina Foothills area near Tucson following a family dinner. Family members reported her missing the next day. Investigators discovered blood drops on the front porch and along the pathway leading toward the street, along with signs of forced entry and a tampered doorbell camera that captured footage of a masked individual.

Multiple laboratories across the country, including the FBI's high-tech forensic center, are now processing the biological evidence to determine whether the DNA belongs to Nancy Guthrie, a potential perpetrator, or both. The sheriff emphasized that the extended timeline for results reflects the meticulous standards required for evidence that could support criminal charges.

"It just takes a while," Nanos said. "Nobody wants to make a false arrest. Nobody wants to falsely accuse somebody. At some point in time, someday we may have somebody in a courtroom that deserves his or her right to have a fair and impartial trial. The way you get that is through a fair and impartial investigation."

The cautious approach has drawn both praise for thoroughness and frustration from a community eager for answers. Nanos acknowledged the public anxiety, noting, "There's frustration because people want to know." Yet he stressed that rushing the scientific process could jeopardize any future prosecution.

No suspects have been publicly named, though authorities previously circulated the masked individual's description from doorbell camera footage. The sheriff has repeatedly refuted rumors of named persons of interest, including earlier unverified online speculation involving family members.

The case has captivated national attention largely because of Savannah Guthrie's prominent role on "Today." The television personality has made occasional emotional public appeals for information while largely stepping back from daily coverage to focus on her family. A $1 million reward offered by the family remains active for any tip leading to Nancy Guthrie's safe return.

Forensic experts say DNA analysis from blood spatter can be complex, especially when samples are small, degraded, or mixed. Advanced techniques such as genetic genealogy and next-generation sequencing are reportedly being employed, which can take weeks or months to produce usable profiles suitable for comparison against national databases.

Sheriff Nanos highlighted the collaboration with top national forensic minds. "When you have the best minds of the country working on problems, I think they're gonna solve them," he said. The involvement of the FBI has added significant resources and expertise to the local investigation.

The disappearance has been treated as a suspected abduction from the outset. Extensive searches of desert areas surrounding Tucson, along with analysis of surveillance footage and tips from the public, have so far yielded no confirmed proof of life or definitive leads on Nancy Guthrie's whereabouts.

Community response has included increased neighborhood patrols and volunteer efforts, but officials continue to urge residents to report credible information directly to authorities rather than engage in social media speculation that could interfere with the case.

Nancy Guthrie, described by family as active and independent despite her age, left behind medication and personal items, raising immediate concerns. Her vanishing has left a void in the close-knit Catalina Foothills community, where neighbors have organized vigils and continue to share memories of the longtime resident.

As the investigation enters its fourth month, the focus remains on the forensic pipeline. Sheriff Nanos and his team are balancing patience with persistence, aware that high-profile missing persons cases can sometimes resolve suddenly once DNA or other evidence aligns.

The Pima County Sheriff's Department continues to treat the matter as an active, high-priority investigation. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact authorities or use anonymous tip lines. The sheriff's latest comments signal measured optimism that scientific advances may soon provide the clarity the family and community desperately seek.

For Savannah Guthrie and her family, each passing day without answers brings renewed heartache. Yet the sheriff's assurance that laboratories are making progress offers a thread of hope in what has become one of Arizona's most widely followed missing persons cases in recent years.

The coming weeks could prove pivotal as final DNA reports are expected. Until then, investigators continue sifting through leads while the public is reminded that even small details could help bring resolution to Nancy Guthrie's disappearance.

Read more