FBI: Hair Evidence From Guthrie Home Yields No Leads After Six Months

WHO:

CBS News - Nancy Guthrie, the missing mother of "Today" show co-host Savannah Guthrie, is 84 years old.

CBS News - Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos is overseeing the local investigation.

WHAT:

CBS News - The hair sample found in Nancy Guthrie's home contained no DNA, as stated by Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos, who noted, "To find DNA on hair is extremely rare. Hair doesn’t produce DNA like touch DNA or bodily fluids."

CBS News - Sheriff Nanos mentioned that the investigation remains "active and ongoing" as it nears the six-month mark.

CBS News - Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos stated that blood found at the scene is also part of the ongoing analysis, which has not yet yielded results.

CBS News - Sheriff Nanos mentioned that the investigation remains "active and ongoing" as it nears the six-month mark.

CBS News - A retired FBI negotiator commented that the unclaimed $1.2 million reward in Nancy Guthrie's suspected abduction suggests a "very small circle" of suspects.

CBS News - Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos stated, "It came back with no results," regarding the inconclusive hair sample.

CBS News - Sheriff Nanos mentioned, "Even when a case goes cold, we don't give up on it. This one's far from being cold. God forbid this ever takes 50 years, but it could."

CBS News - Sheriff Nanos expressed optimism about resolving the case, saying, "The bottom line here is this: We know more than you will ever know, because that's how investigations work."

CBS News - A hair sample found at Nancy Guthrie's home was tested and returned inconclusive, yielding no leads to a suspect.

CBS News - Blood and other DNA were also found at the scene but have not produced results.

CBS News - At least two ransom notes were sent after Nancy Guthrie went missing.

CBS News - Savannah Guthrie posted a video on social media urging her mother's kidnappers to help find her.

WHERE:

CBS News - The investigation is taking place in Tucson, Arizona, at Nancy Guthrie's home.

WHEN:

CBS News - Nancy Guthrie was last seen on the evening of January 31.

CBS News - The sheriff's department verified the results of the hair sample in early June.

CBS News - The first public disclosure of the inconclusive hair sample results occurred on a Thursday.

WHY:

CBS News - Investigators believe Nancy Guthrie was likely abducted.

HOW:

CBS News - Sheriff Nanos described the analysis of DNA and digital evidence as "complex and time-intensive."

CBS News - The hair sample was sent to a private laboratory in Florida and then forwarded to the FBI's crime lab in Quantico, Virginia for analysis.

CBS News - Sheriff Nanos stated that credible scientists across the country are analyzing the DNA evidence.

(UPDATED July 31, 2026 14:44 UTC)

A hair sample found in Nancy Guthrie's home contained no DNA, according to Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos, who explained that it's extremely rare to find DNA on hair since it doesn't produce it like touch DNA or bodily fluids. Sheriff Nanos also stated that the investigation remains active and ongoing as it approaches the six-month mark, emphasizing that the analysis of DNA and digital evidence is complex and time-intensive. The sheriff's comments highlight the challenges faced by investigators in this case.

(UPDATED July 31, 2026 07:53 UTC)

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos announced that blood found at the scene is currently undergoing analysis, although results have not yet been obtained. He emphasized that the investigation remains "active and ongoing" as it approaches the six-month mark. Additionally, a retired FBI negotiator noted that the unclaimed $1.2 million reward in the suspected abduction of Nancy Guthrie indicates a "very small circle" of potential suspects.

(UPDATED July 31, 2026 02:53 UTC)

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos announced that a recent analysis of a hair sample returned inconclusive results, stating, "It came back with no results." He emphasized that even when cases go cold, his team remains committed, declaring, "This one's far from being cold," and acknowledged the possibility that it could take a long time to resolve. Nanos also expressed optimism about the investigation, noting that the analysis of DNA and digital evidence is "complex and time-intensive," while adding, "The bottom line here is this: We know more than you will ever know, because that's how investigations work."

(UPDATED July 31, 2026 01:34 UTC)

Nancy Guthrie, the missing mother of "Today" show co-host Savannah Guthrie, is 84 years old, and the investigation into her disappearance is being overseen by Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos in Tucson, Arizona. A hair sample found at Nancy's home returned inconclusive results, and while blood and other DNA were also discovered, they have yet to yield any leads; at least two ransom notes were sent after her abduction, prompting Savannah to post a heartfelt video on social media urging the kidnappers to help find her mother. The hair sample was analyzed by a private lab in Florida before being sent to the FBI's crime lab in Quantico, Virginia, where credible scientists across the country are currently examining the DNA evidence.