Investigators working on the high-profile disappearance of Nancy Guthrie have traveled to Florida to consult with laboratory scientists in an effort to advance DNA analysis as the investigation nears its nine-month mark, according to the Pima County Sheriff’s Department.
Nancy Guthrie, 84, was reported missing from her Tucson, Arizona, home on Feb. 1. In a statement posted to social media on Friday night, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos provided an update on the ongoing efforts of the multi-agency task force handling the case.
“The Nancy Guthrie Task Force continues to work with our labs in hopes of furthering our DNA analysis in this investigation,” Sheriff Nanos said. “Earlier this month, investigators traveled to Florida to meet with lab scientists to see what more could be done to advance this case. A number of ideas were discussed, and we continue to work with all our partners to solve this case.”
The sheriff also renewed an appeal for public assistance, urging anyone with potential leads to come forward regardless of how minor the information might seem. “No tip is too small. Even the smallest piece of information could be critical to this investigation,” Nanos stated.
The update comes weeks after investigators examined a potential new development in the case. On Sept. 28, the sheriff’s department announced that the task force was reviewing a new possible ransom note linked to the disappearance. Authorities stated they were also examining social media commentary surrounding the note to evaluate its credibility. By the following day, however, investigators issued a follow-up statement determining that the purported ransom text message was not credible.
In the wake of the disappearance, the FBI released home security camera stills showing an armed, masked individual outside Nancy Guthrie’s residence on the night she vanished. Although a former FBI agent asserted in June that investigators were zeroing in on the suspect captured on the doorway camera, no arrests have been made in connection with the kidnapping, and multiple ransom notes have surfaced during the course of the inquiry.
Meanwhile, her daughter, Savannah Guthrie, returned to her broadcasting duties on the morning program “Today” in April, while the multi-agency task force continues its search for answers.
