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A forensic laboratory in San Francisco, instrumental in solving the Long Island serial killer case, is now reportedly aiding the investigation into the suspected kidnapping of Nancy Guthrie in Tucson, Arizona.
Rex Heuermann, known as the Gilgo Beach killer, confessed to the murders of eight women between 1993 and 2010. Earlier this month, he pleaded guilty after his defense was unable to refute the revolutionary DNA evidence derived from rootless hair samples.
“I am quite confident they will choose to work with Astrea, given its past successes,” stated CeCe Moore, a prominent genetic genealogist with Parabon Nanolabs in Virginia. “DNA Labs International has been trying to perfect rootless hair analysis, but I haven’t seen any successful outcomes from them yet.”
A split image depicts Pima County deputies conducting an investigation outside Nancy Guthrie’s residence in Tucson, Arizona, alongside her portrait. Guthrie has been missing since February 1, when authorities believe she was taken from her home. (Michael Ruiz/Fox News Digital)
Moore’s comments pertained to DNA Labs International, the Florida-based laboratory initially entrusted with analyzing samples by the Pima County Sheriff’s Department following Guthrie’s alleged abduction.
Now that the FBI has the materials, Astrea Forensics could be on the shortlist of specialized private labs that could help.
The lab developed a DNA profile from rootless hair evidence in the Heuermann case, and Moore said she’s personally been involved in six successful cases in which Astrea did similar work.
Savannah Guthrie and her mother Nancy Guthrie are pictured Thursday, June 15, 2023. (Nathan Congleton/NBC)
“The FBI used them for the Gilgo case,” she told Fox News Digital. “So they have a lot of confidence in Astrea.”
An FBI official told Fox News Digital on Thursday that among the evidence collected from inside Guthrie’s home is a hair sample that had been sent to a private lab in Florida by the Pima County Sheriff’s Department in the days after her suspected kidnapping.
“If there’s a chance they can solve Nancy’s case through this lab, I believe without question it should be sent there,” said Allison Winter, a social worker and psychotherapist who has been working with the Heuermann family.
Rex A. Heuermann pleads guilty to murdering seven women and admits to an eighth killing during a hearing in Suffolk County Court in Riverhead, N.Y., on April 8, 2026. (James Carbone/Newsday via Pool)
Now, with no answers more than 11 weeks later, the sample has been sent to the FBI for more advanced testing.
“Sending it to Astrea, where there is a proven track record, is by far the safest option,” Moore told Fox News Digital.
The FBI had wanted the sample more than two months ago, according to Ben Williamson, who is assistant director of public affairs at the FBI.
A tent has been placed over the front entrance to Nancy Guthrie’s home in Tucson, Arizona, Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026. The investigation into her disappearance is ongoing. (Kat Ramirez for Fox News Digital)
“This is not new evidence or information,” he wrote on X Monday. “FBI asked to test this DNA 2 months ago with the same technology we’ve always had — when the local sheriff instead sent it to a private lab. Any further developments we will share as soon as appropriate.”
Fox News Digital reached out to Astrea but did not immediately receive a response.
Anyone with information on Guthrie’s disappearance is asked to call 1-800-CALL-FBI.
There is a combined reward of more than $1.2 million for information in the case.
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