A critical piece of evidence recovered from the Tucson home of Nancy Guthrie, mother of NBC’s Savannah Guthrie, has yielded no usable DNA profile, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos revealed Thursday. The setback comes as the 84-year-old woman approaches six months missing, though investigators remain optimistic that advancing technology and preserved evidence may still crack the case.

Hair Sample Testing Produces No Results

Sheriff Nanos explained that investigators sent the hair sample to a California laboratory for advanced DNA testing in cooperation with the FBI, hoping it would identify a suspect in Guthrie’s disappearance. The results disappointed investigators seeking a breakthrough in the high-profile case. “It came back … there’s no DNA,” Nanos told reporters Thursday. “But does that mean the hair isn’t that of the suspect? We won’t know that till we have the suspect’s hair. You don’t just destroy it.”

The sheriff emphasized that investigators have preserved the sample because hair evidence can provide value beyond DNA profiling. While this particular test failed to generate a genetic profile, the sample remains in secure storage for potential future analysis or comparison if a suspect is identified. The testing occurred just weeks ago as investigators continue pursuing multiple forensic leads in the investigation.

Multiple DNA Samples Still Under Analysis

Nanos indicated the hair represents only one component of broader DNA work currently underway, though he declined to specify how many other samples investigators are testing. “Anything we can grasp onto with DNA is a part of this investigation,” the sheriff stated. Investigators are employing investigative genetic genealogy research, which generates leads by constructing family trees from genetic material found at crime scenes.

The sheriff expressed confidence that rapid advances in DNA technology will eventually solve the case. “That’s really where some of my optimism is, that I just know that we’re gonna get this thing resolved,” Nanos said. Law enforcement continues working with federal partners to leverage cutting-edge forensic techniques that were unavailable just years ago.

Reward Tops One Million As Evidence Mounts

A combined reward exceeding one million and two hundred thousand dollars remains unclaimed as investigators search for witnesses. At least one suspect was captured on Guthrie’s Nest doorbell camera, described by the FBI as between five feet nine inches and five feet ten inches tall with a medium build. The masked individual wore long sleeves and gloves while carrying a black Ozark Trail backpack.

“We believe, just as the family does, just as Savannah does, somebody knows something. We need that person to call us,” Nanos emphasized. Guthrie will have been missing for six months on Saturday. Anyone with information can contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or claim an anonymous reward by calling 520-88-CRIME with details leading to an arrest.