Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of NBC “Today” show co-host Savannah Guthrie, remains missing after 80 days. Authorities suspect she was abducted from her residence in the Tucson area on February 1, prompting an extensive search effort that has drawn national attention.
Investigators from the Pima County Sheriff’s Department collected crucial DNA evidence at the scene shortly after the disappearance. That material was originally forwarded to DNA Labs International, a private facility based in Florida, for specialized processing focused on challenging samples.
Only in recent days has the evidence been transferred to the FBI for further examination. Officials now appear poised to engage a highly regarded laboratory with a strong history of success in complex genetic investigations.
The FBI is expected to turn to Astrea Forensics, a San Francisco-based operation known for its advanced techniques in extracting usable profiles from difficult biological traces. This lab played a pivotal role in resolving one of the most notorious cold cases in recent memory.
In the Gilgo Beach serial killer investigation, Astrea Forensics generated a critical DNA profile from rootless hair samples. That breakthrough contributed directly to the case against Rex Heuermann, who pleaded guilty earlier this month to the murders of eight women.
CeCe Moore, a prominent genetic genealogist in the United States, has expressed strong support for involving this particular lab in the Guthrie case. She highlighted the lab’s proven capabilities and contrasted them with other options currently available.
“I am pretty confident that they will want to use the lab that they have been extremely successful with, which is Astrea,” Moore said to Fox News. “DLI has been working to refine their own rootless hair analysis, but I haven’t seen any successful cases from them yet.”
Moore noted her direct experience with multiple investigations where Astrea delivered reliable outcomes from similar evidence types. Her insights underscore the strategic importance of selecting a facility with demonstrated expertise under high-stakes conditions.
“The FBI used them for the Gilgo case,” Moore said. “So they have a lot of confidence in Astrea.“Sending it to Astrea, where there is a proven track record, is by far the safest option.”
The FBI had requested access to the DNA samples weeks earlier, according to statements from the agency. However, the Pima County Sheriff’s Department initially routed the materials to the Florida lab instead.
Ben Williamson, the assistant director of public affairs for the FBI, addressed the situation directly.
“This is not new evidence or information,” Williamson wrote in a public statement. “FBI asked to test this DNA 2 months ago with the same technology we’ve always had — when the local sheriff instead sent it to a private lab. Any further developments we will share as soon as appropriate.”
As the investigation continues, the involvement of Astrea Forensics could mark a significant step forward in efforts to locate Nancy Guthrie. The case has highlighted both the challenges of analyzing limited or degraded DNA and the value of specialized forensic partnerships in bringing clarity to long-running searches.
