Investigators in Arizona have encountered an unexpected twist in the case of Nancy Guthrie with a key piece of evidence—hair discovered in her residence—yielding no DNA, according to Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos.
“It’s exceedingly rare to extract DNA from hair,” Sheriff Nanos explained to NBC News on Thursday, July 30. “Hair doesn’t carry DNA in the same way that bodily fluids or touch contact does.”
In a discussion with Fox News, Nanos elaborated, “Indeed, there was a hair sample. We were hopeful, thinking, ‘First step, let’s try DNA analysis,’ naturally. But the results showed… no DNA present.”
Despite the setback, the hair sample remains preserved, earmarked for potential future developments in the ongoing investigation.
As the mystery surrounding Today show host Savannah Guthrie’s mother, Nancy Guthrie, deepens, questions persist. Nancy was declared missing, with the Pima County Sheriff’s Department releasing a missing person alert on February 1, 2026, through X. She was reported as a “vulnerable adult” last seen at her Arizona home located in the Catalina Foothills.
“But does that mean the hair isn’t that of the suspect? We won’t know that till we have the suspect’s hair. You don’t just destroy it,” Nanos told Fox News. “There’s other things that hair may prove valuable for, but right now it was just about, ‘Is there any DNA there?’ And the answer was no. That was just a matter of weeks ago.”
In a brief statement to NBC News, the FBI Phoenix field office said that “all hair had been resolved, and it does not point to a suspect” in Nancy’s disappearance.
The news comes six months after Nancy, 84, was reported missing from her home outside of Tucson, Arizona, on February 1. Police are investigating the case as a suspected kidnapping. No suspect has been identified.
Nancy, the mother of Today show cohost Savannah Guthrie, was last seen on the evening of January 31.
New details from the first alleged ransom note for Savannah Guthrie’s mom, Nancy Guthrie, has been revealed nearly six months after she went missing. Journalist Briana Whitney read from the alleged note during the Wednesday, July 22, episode of the “Crime Junkie” podcast. “Hello, Savannah. We have your mother, Nancy,” it began. “She is safe […]
On Monday, July 27, Savannah, 54, issued a fresh plea for Nancy’s return via social media.
“I’m coming on today with a very specific message,” Savannah said in an Instagram video. “It has been months since our mom was taken from us. Our family is in agony. We are in a nightmare that will not end. Nothing about our situation has changed. We have done our part, but we will never stop looking for her. We will always ache for her. Feel that hole in our hearts.”
She continued, “The world can be a cruel and unforgiving place, and I know that you have tried to do things the right way. So I’m asking you, begging you, to do the right thing now. Make the right choice. Help us find her. Tell us where to look for her. I truly believe it is never too late to do the right thing. Help us bring this situation to an end. For all of us — no matter where we’ve been and what we’ve done — I believe there is always, always a way home. Please make the right choice.”
Savannah captioned the post, “Bring her home 💛.”