Nearly 12 weeks after her disappearance, the case of Savannah Guthrie's mother is seeing movement - but also raising serious questions.
Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of NBC Today show co-host Savannah Guthrie, remains missing as of April 26, 2026, nearly three months after she was abducted from her home in the Catalina Foothills neighborhood of Tucson, Arizona, on February 1. While investigators have yet to name a suspect, sources close to the case say meaningful progress is finally being made - and it centers on DNA.
DNA Evidence Now at FBI Lab in Quantico
NewsNation correspondent Allison Weiner revealed that hair evidence recovered from Nancy Guthrie's home was first sent to a private lab in Florida that holds a contract with the Pima County Sheriff's Department before being transferred to the FBI lab in Quantico, where it is undergoing additional testing.
The FBI, however, was quick to clarify the timeline. FBI Assistant Director for Public Affairs Ben Williamson stated on X that the bureau had asked to test the DNA two months earlier, but the local sheriff instead sent it to a private lab. He noted the evidence is not new and that any further developments would be shared as soon as appropriate.
Now, experts believe the FBI may turn to one of the most proven forensic labs in the country. Leading genetic genealogist CeCe Moore expressed confidence that the FBI would likely bring in Astrea Forensics, the same San Francisco-based lab that successfully developed a DNA profile in the Gilgo Beach serial killer case. Moore noted she has personally been involved in six cases where Astrea produced results from rootless hair evidence, calling it "by far the safest option."
Ex-FBI Agent: Evidence Points to One Suspect
Former FBI agent Jim Clemente told NewsNation that the blood evidence found on Guthrie's front steps suggests there was likely only one suspect involved in the abduction. Clemente reasoned that if two people had been involved, at least one would have maintained full control of Guthrie inside the house and she would not have ended up on the ground outside. The theory provides one of the most specific suspect profiles offered publicly since the case began. A collective reward of over $1 million has been announced for information leading to her whereabouts.
Sheriff Under Fire - Could He Be Removed?
The handling of the case has drawn sharp criticism toward Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos. Pima County Supervisor Jen Allen expressed concern over responses from Nanos, acknowledging that while an Arizona law could allow the county to remove him under strict conditions, there is no clear precedent for how that process would work - making removal a significant stretch.
Adding to the pressure, a Fox News Digital report revealed that leaked internal emails showed the Pima County Sheriff's Department had worked extensively with producers of a reality TV show called Desert Law from July to December 2025, with the department granting behind-the-scenes access, body camera footage, and operational cooperation. While investigators note the emails predate Nancy Guthrie's disappearance and show no direct overlap with the case, critics have challenged the department for appearing to prioritize TV production timelines over the integrity of law enforcement responsibilities.
A Community Still Praying
When Savannah Guthrie returned to the Today show on April 6 after weeks away, she was met by fans outside Rockefeller Plaza holding signs of support, telling the crowd with tears in her eyes, "We feel your prayers." The response from the faith community has been consistent since the beginning. More than 400 people gathered at St. Philip's in the Hills Episcopal Church in Tucson for a candlelight prayer vigil, with the congregation singing from Psalm 31 and offering a spoken intercession for Nancy and her family. Nancy herself is a faithful member of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church in Tucson - the same church whose members first noticed her absence when she did not show up for Sunday morning worship.
For many following this story, the words of New York Archbishop Ronald Hicks, spoken live on the Today show in February, remain a steady reminder: "Light shines in dark circumstances, and it's light that gets us out of them." That hope continues to hold, even now.
Stay tuned to JubileeCast for the latest updates on the Nancy Guthrie case as the investigation continues.
