Investigators searching for answers in the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie may be closer to identifying a suspect than previously believed, according to a former federal law enforcement official who says advances in DNA analysis could produce results within days.
Nancy Guthrie, 84, vanished from her home in Tucson, Arizona, in the early hours of February 1. Nearly three weeks later, no arrests have been made, and authorities have not publicly named any suspects or persons of interest. The case has drawn national attention in part because she is the mother of Today Show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie.
Despite the absence of a breakthrough, former FBI special agent John Iannarelli said this week that developments behind the scenes may signal progress. Speaking on Fox and Friends, Iannarelli suggested that investigators could identify a suspect within 24 to 48 hours, depending on the results of ongoing forensic analysis.
“I imagine we’re going to see a fairly quick turnaround,” he said. “We might even hear something within the next 24 or 48 hours.”
His comments come at a critical juncture in the case. On Tuesday, authorities acknowledged that a glove discovered approximately two miles from Guthrie’s residence did not match DNA collected from the crime scene or profiles in the national Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) database. The glove had initially been viewed as a potentially significant piece of evidence after appearing similar to one worn by a masked individual captured on Guthrie’s doorbell camera shortly before her disappearance.
The negative DNA result was a disappointment for investigators and the public alike, as it briefly appeared to offer a tangible lead. However, Iannarelli emphasized that the setback does not foreclose other investigative avenues.
“It’s not the end of the road,” he said, noting that DNA technology has evolved significantly in recent years. Beyond traditional law enforcement databases such as CODIS, investigators may pursue forensic genetic genealogy—an approach that has been used in several high-profile cases to identify suspects through publicly accessible ancestry databases.
“There’s been a lot of ways DNA has been developed through other systems out there—23andMe, Ancestry,” Iannarelli explained, referring to consumer genetic testing services. “Any person related to that individual who left their DNA behind at Nancy Guthrie’s home, if they’ve ever taken that test, that DNA evidence is going to be out there and it will link them to other relatives.”
He added that the process can move quickly when usable DNA has already been collected and analyzed. “Genealogy analysis can be a fairly quick process because the DNA has already been tested and it’s in the system,” he said.
Law enforcement officials have not publicly confirmed whether they are pursuing genealogical analysis in this case. However, experts note that such techniques have increasingly become part of the investigative toolkit, particularly when traditional database searches fail to yield matches.
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department, which is leading the investigation, has faced mounting scrutiny as the case enters its third week. Chris Nanos, the county sheriff, has defended his department’s efforts and rejected suggestions that the investigation has stalled.
“As long as we have the ability to chase a lead, it’s not cold,” Nanos said in an interview with NBC News after acknowledging the glove did not produce a DNA match. “We’re not going to give up. We’re going to find Nancy, and we’re going to find out who did this.”
The sheriff has stressed that the absence of arrests does not indicate a lack of progress. According to authorities, approximately 400 personnel have been involved in search and investigative efforts, including deputies, detectives, and support staff.
Nancy Guthrie was last seen on the evening of January 31 when she returned home. According to investigators, her pacemaker later disconnected from her Apple Watch while she was inside the residence, raising concerns about her well-being. Authorities have not disclosed details about the condition of the home or whether there were signs of forced entry, though they have confirmed that DNA evidence was collected at the scene.
The glove found two miles from the residence initially raised hopes because it appeared to resemble one worn by a masked figure captured on the home’s doorbell camera shortly before Guthrie disappeared. The footage reportedly shows an individual near the property during the early morning hours. However, after forensic testing, officials determined that DNA from the glove did not match samples taken from the home, nor did it correspond to any profile in the CODIS database.
Authorities also reported discovering a total of 16 gloves in and around the property. Many of those were later determined to belong to investigators who had processed the scene. The glove sent for DNA testing was not one of those known to belong to law enforcement, but it ultimately failed to provide a connection to the crime scene evidence.
In a subsequent interview, Nanos sought to place the development in context. He told a local television station that his office possesses other DNA evidence from the scene that he considers “more critical” than the glove found two miles away. That evidence, he said, will continue to undergo detailed forensic analysis.
“You take a fingerprint, and you hope to match it right away. But that’s not that easy,” Nanos said, drawing a parallel to the challenges of DNA testing. He acknowledged that investigators are working with mixed DNA samples, which can complicate efforts to isolate and identify individual contributors.
Forensic analysts often must separate DNA profiles when multiple individuals’ genetic material is present in a single sample. The process can require advanced laboratory techniques and careful interpretation to ensure accuracy. Investigators have indicated they are hopeful that ongoing testing will clarify which samples are relevant to the case.
Public frustration has grown as days pass without visible developments. Critics have questioned whether any missteps occurred in the initial hours after Guthrie’s disappearance was reported. Nanos has rejected those criticisms and maintained that his department acted swiftly and appropriately.
He has also expressed personal conviction that Guthrie may still be alive, emphasizing that authorities have not found evidence confirming her death.
“They ask me, do I have proof of life? I ask them, is there proof of death?” Nanos said. He added that maintaining hope is essential for both investigators and the family. “Sometimes that faith, that hope, is all we have.”
Addressing those responsible for Guthrie’s disappearance, Nanos issued a direct appeal: “Let her go, just let her go. It will work out better for you in the long run.”
Law enforcement officials have not publicly outlined a motive or identified potential suspects. The absence of such information has fueled speculation, but authorities have urged the public to avoid conjecture and to focus instead on verified updates.
Meanwhile, the national attention surrounding the case has intensified scrutiny of every development. As the mother of a prominent television journalist, Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance has been covered widely across broadcast and digital media outlets. That attention can generate valuable tips, investigators say, but it can also amplify pressure on law enforcement to produce results quickly.
Former agent Iannarelli acknowledged that high-profile cases often bring additional complexity. “When you have media attention, when you have public interest, there’s a sense of urgency,” he said. “But investigators still have to follow the evidence methodically.”
Whether the prediction of a suspect being identified within 48 hours proves accurate remains to be seen. DNA analysis, particularly when mixed samples are involved, can yield rapid breakthroughs—or require extended examination. Genealogical research, while powerful, may also depend on the availability and quality of matching profiles in consumer databases.
For now, authorities continue to pursue all available leads. Search efforts remain active, and forensic work continues in laboratories. Officials have reiterated that the case is ongoing and that developments may not be shared publicly until investigators are prepared to act.
As the investigation approaches the three-week mark, law enforcement leaders have pledged sustained effort. “We’re going to continue working this case, every minute of every day,” Nanos said. “We will find her.”
The coming days may determine whether renewed DNA analysis delivers the breakthrough that has so far proved elusive. Until then, the search for Nancy Guthrie remains one of the most closely watched missing persons investigations in the region, with family members, investigators, and the public awaiting answers.
