Topline: Investigators are turning to advanced DNA testing to identify a suspect in the possible abduction of Savannah Guthrie’s mother.
Published: February 23, 2026 8:00 am ET
Must Read
Left: Nancy Guthrie, Right: Suspect in Nancy Guthrie’s kidnapping (via NBC/FBI Phoenix)
TUCSON, AZ — Authorities are using genetic genealogy to analyze DNA found at the home of Nancy Guthrie as the investigation enters its third week.
Guthrie, 84, the mother of “TODAY” co-host Savannah Guthrie, was reported missing around noon Feb. 1. She was last seen at 9:45 p.m. the previous night after she was dropped off at her home following dinner at her daughter Annie’s house.
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department believes Guthrie was forcibly taken from her home. Law enforcement officials have not identified a suspect but said all members of the Guthrie family have been cleared in the case.
Investigators are now turning to investigative genetic genealogy to identify potential leads. This method has previously been used to identify suspects in high-profile cases, including the Golden State Killer and the University of Idaho homicides, as reported by NPR.
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said that investigators are analyzing partial DNA recovered from Guthrie’s home. The department also examined a glove found two miles from the residence.
According to authorities, the glove appears to match one worn by a masked person seen on security video outside the home. DNA found on the glove did not match samples in the FBI’s Combined DNA Index System, known as CODIS.
According to the FBI, the CODIS database contains 19 million offender profiles and 1 million forensic profiles. Because the glove did not produce a match in that system, authorities are moving toward public genealogy databases.
“We believe that we may have some DNA there that may be our suspect,” Sheriff Nanos told NBC News. He added that the identity remains unknown until the DNA is separated or identified through genetic genealogy.
CeCe Moore, a DNA expert, told “TODAY” that the timeline for these results varies. If a suspect has deep roots in the U.S., a match could be found in hours. Although it could take longer if the individual’s ancestors are from outside the country.
Authorities are restricted from using private sites like Ancestry.com or 23andMe. Instead, they must rely on specific public databases available for law enforcement use.
The FBI previously released images on social media of an armed and masked man recorded at Guthrie’s home on the morning she disappeared. The suspect is described as a male between 5 feet 9 inches and 5 feet 10 inches tall.
According to the FBI, the man carried a unique gun holster and an ‘Ozark Trail’ backpack sold at Walmart. He may have also been wearing a ring.
The FBI is offering a $100,000 reward for information leading to Guthrie’s location or an arrest. Tucson Crime Stoppers, known as 88-CRIME, is offering an additional $102,500 reward.
As of last week, the FBI reported receiving 19,000 tips. Two officials briefed on the case stated there is no evidence Guthrie was taken across the U.S.-Mexico border.
U.S. officials have been in contact with Mexican counterparts, but the Sonora state attorney general’s office said in a Feb. 20 post on X that it has not received a formal request for assistance. The office said it would cooperate if a request is made through official channels.
“To date, this institution has not received any formal request for collaboration, assistance, or exchange of information from U.S. authorities or Mexican federal agencies in relation to said case,” the statement said.
Sheriff Nanos claims the investigation remains active as deputies continue to follow leads. He stated the department will not stop its efforts to find Guthrie and those responsible for her disappearance.
“As long as we have the ability to chase a lead, it’s not cold,” Sheriff Nanos said. “We’re not going to give up. We’re going to find Nancy, and we’re going to find out who did this.”
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Genetic Genealogy Expands Search for Nancy Guthrie
Investigators are turning to advanced DNA testing to identify a suspect in the possible abduction of Savannah Guthrie’s mother.
By Kate Byrd
Published: February 23, 2026 8:00 am ET
Left: Nancy Guthrie, Right: Suspect in Nancy Guthrie’s kidnapping (via NBC/FBI Phoenix)
TUCSON, AZ — Authorities are using genetic genealogy to analyze DNA found at the home of Nancy Guthrie as the investigation enters its third week.
Guthrie, 84, the mother of “TODAY” co-host Savannah Guthrie, was reported missing around noon Feb. 1. She was last seen at 9:45 p.m. the previous night after she was dropped off at her home following dinner at her daughter Annie’s house.
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department believes Guthrie was forcibly taken from her home. Law enforcement officials have not identified a suspect but said all members of the Guthrie family have been cleared in the case.
Investigators are now turning to investigative genetic genealogy to identify potential leads. This method has previously been used to identify suspects in high-profile cases, including the Golden State Killer and the University of Idaho homicides, as reported by NPR.
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said that investigators are analyzing partial DNA recovered from Guthrie’s home. The department also examined a glove found two miles from the residence.
According to authorities, the glove appears to match one worn by a masked person seen on security video outside the home. DNA found on the glove did not match samples in the FBI’s Combined DNA Index System, known as CODIS.
According to the FBI, the CODIS database contains 19 million offender profiles and 1 million forensic profiles. Because the glove did not produce a match in that system, authorities are moving toward public genealogy databases.
“We believe that we may have some DNA there that may be our suspect,” Sheriff Nanos told NBC News. He added that the identity remains unknown until the DNA is separated or identified through genetic genealogy.
CeCe Moore, a DNA expert, told “TODAY” that the timeline for these results varies. If a suspect has deep roots in the U.S., a match could be found in hours. Although it could take longer if the individual’s ancestors are from outside the country.
Authorities are restricted from using private sites like Ancestry.com or 23andMe. Instead, they must rely on specific public databases available for law enforcement use.
The FBI previously released images on social media of an armed and masked man recorded at Guthrie’s home on the morning she disappeared. The suspect is described as a male between 5 feet 9 inches and 5 feet 10 inches tall.
According to the FBI, the man carried a unique gun holster and an ‘Ozark Trail’ backpack sold at Walmart. He may have also been wearing a ring.
The FBI is offering a $100,000 reward for information leading to Guthrie’s location or an arrest. Tucson Crime Stoppers, known as 88-CRIME, is offering an additional $102,500 reward.
As of last week, the FBI reported receiving 19,000 tips. Two officials briefed on the case stated there is no evidence Guthrie was taken across the U.S.-Mexico border.
U.S. officials have been in contact with Mexican counterparts, but the Sonora state attorney general’s office said in a Feb. 20 post on X that it has not received a formal request for assistance. The office said it would cooperate if a request is made through official channels.
“To date, this institution has not received any formal request for collaboration, assistance, or exchange of information from U.S. authorities or Mexican federal agencies in relation to said case,” the statement said.
Sheriff Nanos claims the investigation remains active as deputies continue to follow leads. He stated the department will not stop its efforts to find Guthrie and those responsible for her disappearance.
“As long as we have the ability to chase a lead, it’s not cold,” Sheriff Nanos said. “We’re not going to give up. We’re going to find Nancy, and we’re going to find out who did this.”
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
Must Read
Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Genetic Genealogy Expands Search for Nancy Guthrie
Investigators are turning to advanced DNA testing to identify a suspect in the possible abduction of Savannah Guthrie’s mother.
By Kate Byrd
Published: February 23, 2026 8:00 am ET
Left: Nancy Guthrie, Right: Suspect in Nancy Guthrie’s kidnapping (via NBC/FBI Phoenix)
TUCSON, AZ — Authorities are using genetic genealogy to analyze DNA found at the home of Nancy Guthrie as the investigation enters its third week.
Guthrie, 84, the mother of “TODAY” co-host Savannah Guthrie, was reported missing around noon Feb. 1. She was last seen at 9:45 p.m. the previous night after she was dropped off at her home following dinner at her daughter Annie’s house.
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department believes Guthrie was forcibly taken from her home. Law enforcement officials have not identified a suspect but said all members of the Guthrie family have been cleared in the case.
Investigators are now turning to investigative genetic genealogy to identify potential leads. This method has previously been used to identify suspects in high-profile cases, including the Golden State Killer and the University of Idaho homicides, as reported by NPR.
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said that investigators are analyzing partial DNA recovered from Guthrie’s home. The department also examined a glove found two miles from the residence.
According to authorities, the glove appears to match one worn by a masked person seen on security video outside the home. DNA found on the glove did not match samples in the FBI’s Combined DNA Index System, known as CODIS.
According to the FBI, the CODIS database contains 19 million offender profiles and 1 million forensic profiles. Because the glove did not produce a match in that system, authorities are moving toward public genealogy databases.
“We believe that we may have some DNA there that may be our suspect,” Sheriff Nanos told NBC News. He added that the identity remains unknown until the DNA is separated or identified through genetic genealogy.
CeCe Moore, a DNA expert, told “TODAY” that the timeline for these results varies. If a suspect has deep roots in the U.S., a match could be found in hours. Although it could take longer if the individual’s ancestors are from outside the country.
Authorities are restricted from using private sites like Ancestry.com or 23andMe. Instead, they must rely on specific public databases available for law enforcement use.
The FBI previously released images on social media of an armed and masked man recorded at Guthrie’s home on the morning she disappeared. The suspect is described as a male between 5 feet 9 inches and 5 feet 10 inches tall.
According to the FBI, the man carried a unique gun holster and an ‘Ozark Trail’ backpack sold at Walmart. He may have also been wearing a ring.
The FBI is offering a $100,000 reward for information leading to Guthrie’s location or an arrest. Tucson Crime Stoppers, known as 88-CRIME, is offering an additional $102,500 reward.
As of last week, the FBI reported receiving 19,000 tips. Two officials briefed on the case stated there is no evidence Guthrie was taken across the U.S.-Mexico border.
U.S. officials have been in contact with Mexican counterparts, but the Sonora state attorney general’s office said in a Feb. 20 post on X that it has not received a formal request for assistance. The office said it would cooperate if a request is made through official channels.
“To date, this institution has not received any formal request for collaboration, assistance, or exchange of information from U.S. authorities or Mexican federal agencies in relation to said case,” the statement said.
Sheriff Nanos claims the investigation remains active as deputies continue to follow leads. He stated the department will not stop its efforts to find Guthrie and those responsible for her disappearance.
“As long as we have the ability to chase a lead, it’s not cold,” Sheriff Nanos said. “We’re not going to give up. We’re going to find Nancy, and we’re going to find out who did this.”
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
Must Read
