A hair sample discovered at the Tucson, Arizona, residence of Nancy Guthrie, mother of “Today” show co-host Savannah Guthrie, underwent forensic testing. Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos informed CBS News that the sample resulted in no conclusive findings and failed to identify any suspect. “It came back with no results,” he stated.
In June, the sheriff’s department confirmed the hair sample analysis, although this information was shared publicly for the first time recently. Blood and other DNA found at the location are still undergoing examination but have yet to yield any definitive results. “I know that there was blood at the scene and so that was also part of the processing of the scene,” Nanos explained.
Earlier reports by CBS News in May disclosed that a DNA sample collected by the sheriff’s detectives was sent to a private lab in Florida, which then transferred the sample to the FBI’s crime lab in Quantico, Virginia. Details regarding the specific DNA sample were not confirmed.
“We have a lot of DNA that is being looked at by credible scientists around the country who know and understand what they have in front of them and they understand the rules that they have to play by,” emphasized Nanos.
Nancy Guthrie, aged 84, was last observed on the evening of January 31, following her drop-off after dining with her daughter Annie. Security footage from Guthrie’s home later showed a suspect at her door in the early hours of February 1. Investigators suspect her abduction and reported at least two ransom notes surfaced after her disappearance.
“Even when a case goes cold, we don’t give up on it,” said Nanos. “We continue to work it. This one’s far from being cold. God forbid this ever takes 50 years, but it could.”
Currently, no new video evidence has emerged beyond the initial home surveillance, and the suspect or suspects appear to have avoided detection by traffic cameras. Nanos suspects that the perpetrators may be local, although no evidence substantiates this. “Do I have evidence of it? No,” Nanos remarked, but he noted that a significant majority of crimes are committed by local individuals.
On Monday, Savannah Guthrie issued a video plea to her mother’s abductors, urging them to “do the right thing now” and provide information regarding her mother’s whereabouts.
On Thursday, Sheriff Nanos also responded to criticism previously expressed by FBI Director Kash Patel, who felt the sheriff’s department was slow to engage the FBI in the matter. Nanos remarked, “I’ve never talked to him,” but assured that his team collaborates effectively with the FBI.
“The bottom line here is this: We know more than you will ever know, because that’s how investigations work,” concluded Nanos, expressing optimism about resolving the case based on the evidence available.
Anna Schecter contributed to this report.