Sheriff Provides New Update On Nancy Guthrie Disappearance

Speculation surrounding the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie—mother of “Today” co-host Savannah Guthrie—intensified late this week, only to be swiftly shut down by local law enforcement.

Chris Nanos, the sheriff of Pima County, dismissed claims that a new person of interest had been detained in connection with the case. Reports circulating online Friday suggested a potential breakthrough, but when pressed for confirmation, Nanos offered a blunt response.

According to journalist Michael Ruiz, the sheriff replied with a single word: “Nope.”

“Sheriff Nanos’ one-word reply when asked about new reports that another person of interest has been detained in the Nancy Guthrie case: ‘Nope,'” Ruiz noted on X, effectively putting to rest rumors that had rapidly gained traction across social media.

The speculation had been fueled in part by comments made by Nancy Grace during a recent episode of her “Crime Stories” YouTube series. Opening her program, Grace teased what she described as a potential development, saying, “Bombshell. To Tucson and the Nancy Guthrie disappearance. Has a guy been detained overnight for questioning?”

Her guest, David Mack, explored the hypothetical implications of such a scenario. However, both acknowledged throughout their discussion that no official confirmation had been provided. References to a “possible suspect” and “possible new information” remained speculative.

Among the unverified claims discussed was the assertion that an individual had been taken into custody near the same area where a previous suspect had been apprehended—south of Tucson and near California, according to earlier reporting.

Meanwhile, the investigation itself continues to hinge on forensic evidence, particularly DNA analysis. The Federal Bureau of Investigation has been working with material collected from Guthrie’s Tucson residence, including a hair sample now undergoing advanced testing.

A source familiar with the case told Fox News that investigators submitted DNA evidence to the FBI for deeper analysis. CeCe Moore, an investigative genetic genealogist with Parabon NanoLabs, weighed in on the process, explaining that hair samples are typically reliable once properly cleaned.

“Not after it is cleaned for contamination,” she said. “They have that process in good shape, but it can take some time.” She added: “I would assume it would be Nancy plus two or more unknowns.”

Officials with the Pima County Sheriff’s Department emphasized that collaboration with federal authorities is nothing new in the case. In a statement posted to X, the department reiterated its ongoing partnership with the FBI.

“PCSD has worked with the FBI since the beginning of the Guthrie investigation. This is not new information,” the department wrote. “The private lab we utilize in Florida continues to share information with the FBI lab & other partner labs across the country. DNA analysis remains ongoing.”

Despite these efforts, authorities have yet to identify a suspect in the Feb. 1 kidnapping of Nancy Guthrie, who is 84 years old. Earlier attempts to match DNA evidence through the FBI’s Combined DNA Index System yielded no results, and a separate partial DNA sample was deemed too weak for reliable profiling.

More than 11 weeks into the investigation, uncertainty remains. Experts suggest the DNA evidence is a complex mixture involving multiple individuals, complicating efforts to isolate a clear suspect. Authorities have confirmed that at least one contributor to the sample is male.

Other forensic findings have provided limited clarity. Blood discovered on the front porch was confirmed to belong to Guthrie, and a glove recovered roughly two miles from her home is believed to resemble one worn by a masked figure captured on a Nest doorbell camera.

For now, despite swirling rumors and online speculation, law enforcement maintains that no major breakthrough has occurred—underscoring the challenges of solving a case that continues to raise more questions than answers.