Forensic Mystery Deepens: No DNA Matches Found in Nancy Guthrie Disappearance

TUCSON, Ariz. — The investigation into the disappearance of 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie, mother of Today show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, has hit a significant forensic roadblock. On Tuesday, officials from the Pima County Sheriff’s Department and the FBI confirmed that DNA profiles recovered from the scene and a key piece of physical evidence yielded no matches when run through the national Combined DNA Index System (CODIS).

The news comes 17 days after Guthrie vanished from her Tucson home on January 31. Despite the recovery of an unknown male DNA profile from a glove found two miles from the residence—a glove that investigators believe matches the pair worn by a masked suspect seen on doorbell camera footage—the “hit” authorities were hoping for did not materialize.

A Frustrating Forensic Gap

For weeks, the case has centered on a chilling piece of surveillance footage showing a masked individual, approximately 5 feet, 9 inches tall, wearing a 25-liter “Ozark Trail Hiker Pack” and tampering with Guthrie’s doorbell camera. When a discarded glove was discovered in a roadside field shortly after the disappearance, it was treated as a vital lead.

However, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos confirmed on February 17, 2026, that the DNA on the glove did not match any of the millions of profiles of convicted offenders or arrestees stored in the FBI’s national database. Perhaps more perplexing, Sheriff Nanos also noted that the DNA from the glove did not match separate “unidentified DNA” recovered from inside Guthrie’s home.

The Retail Trail: Walmart and Gun Shops

With forensic databases coming up empty, law enforcement is aggressively pursuing the paper and digital trails left by the suspect’s equipment. Sheriff Nanos has personally consulted with Walmart management to review purchase records for the “Ozark Trail Hiker Pack,” a backpack sold exclusively at Walmart. Investigators are scouring surveillance footage from local Walmarts and analyzing transaction data for every sale of that specific model over the past several months, hoping to identify a face or a credit card associated with the gear.

Simultaneously, the FBI has expanded its reach to other specialty retailers in the Tucson area. Agents have been canvassing local gun stores and tactical supply outlets, reportedly carrying a list of 40 names and photographs. They are questioning employees to see if any of these individuals have recently purchased weapons, ammunition, or the specific type of holster seen on the suspect’s hip in the doorbell footage.

The Hunt for the “Unknown Male”

The absence of a CODIS match suggests that the individual responsible for Guthrie’s disappearance may not have a previous criminal record that required DNA submission. Law enforcement is now pivoting to Investigative Genetic Genealogy (IGG)—the same high-tech method used to solve cold cases like the Golden State Killer—to identify the suspect.

By uploading the “unknown male” profile to commercial genealogy databases, investigators hope to find distant relatives of the suspect, which could eventually lead them to a name. “It is just a matter of time now until they discover who that DNA belongs to,” a source close to the investigation stated, though they cautioned that building a family tree from genetic data can be a painstaking process.

High-Tech Search Efforts Continue

While the labs work on the DNA, search teams are utilizing cutting-edge technology to locate the missing grandmother. The Parsons Corporation has deployed a “signal sniffer” device known as BlueFly. This technology is designed to detect signals from medical devices, such as the heart pacemaker Guthrie was wearing.

Records indicate that Guthrie’s pacemaker app disconnected from her phone at 2:28 a.m. on February 1, the morning she was reported missing. Search teams are now using helicopters and ground vehicles equipped with sensors to scan the rugged Arizona terrain for any lingering electronic pulse.

A Family’s Plea

The Guthrie family remains in agonizing suspense. Savannah Guthrie, who has suspended her professional duties to remain in Arizona, recently issued a direct plea via social media. “It is never too late to do the right thing,” she said, addressing the unknown captor.

The FBI has increased the reward for information leading to Guthrie’s location to $100,000. As the investigation enters its third week, the focus remains on identifying the owner of the mystery DNA and tracing the retail origins of the suspect’s gear.

Mainstream Sources and Links

• CBS News: No DNA match in database from gloves found during Nancy Guthrie investigation
• The Guardian: DNA from glove in Nancy Guthrie abduction investigation yields no leads
• FOX News: Nancy Guthrie latest: Genealogy testing underway after FBI confirms no CODIS hit
• Associated Press: Police say glove DNA didn’t match anything in national database
• NewsNation: FBI visits gun stores with 40-person ID list in Nancy Guthrie investigation