In the latest updates in the Nancy Guthrie case, the FBI has reportedly begun testing a key DNA sample. The 84-year-old Tucson woman, and mother of Today show host Savannah Guthrie, was allegedly abducted from her home in the early hours of February 1. Now, the only source of hope for investigators depends on whether the FBI can separate the sample and turn it into a profile that points to a suspect — something the public still has not gotten since Guthrie’s disappearance.
FBI is reportedly analyzing critical DNA in Nancy Guthrie case
Sources gave updates on the Nancy Guthrie case, telling ABC News that the FBI reportedly received DNA collected at Guthrie’s home in February. Investigators hope that the testing can help identify the person who took her. Guthrie’s disappearance has gripped Tucson and drawn national attention, but months later, authorities still have not said where she is or who they believe abducted her.
A private lab in Florida works with the Pima County Sheriff’s Department, and it allegedly sent the sample to the FBI recently — and the bureau now plans to use newer technology to conduct advanced analysis to try and extract useful information from the material.
An FBI official confirmed that the agency received a hair sample collected by investigators in February. However, they disputed reports that the case suddenly gained “new” DNA evidence, with an FBI official telling ABC News, “There is no new DNA evidence in the Nancy Guthrie case. The FBI requested this material over two months ago.”
The official added that the “lab has now transferred an original hair sample to the FBI Laboratory for testing,” and “We remain fully committed to this investigation.”
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department has previously said that the DNA recovered at Guthrie’s home appears to include material from more than one person, which can slow down the analysis. At the same time, Sheriff Chris Nanos has also said several labs around the country have worked on the case. Even so, authorities have not publicly detailed which labs or what each one is doing.
