Arizona Sheriff Says DNA Tech Issues May Delay Nancy Guthrie Case for Months

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos cites challenges with mixed DNA evidence at the lab as investigation into 84-year-old's disappearance continues.

Feb. 22, 2026 at 7:08am

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Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said investigators are facing challenges with mixed DNA evidence found at the home of 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie, who went missing from her Tucson, Arizona home on January 31, 2026. Nanos stated that the lab his department is using has informed him the technology issues could take 'weeks, months, or maybe a year' to resolve, delaying progress in the case. The sheriff noted they are still pursuing other avenues of the investigation, but acknowledged the public's frustration with the pace of the probe, in which no arrests have been made so far.

Why it matters

The Nancy Guthrie disappearance case has garnered national attention, with the 84-year-old being the mother of NBC 'Today' host Savannah Guthrie. Resolving the DNA evidence issues is crucial to identifying potential suspects and determining what happened to Guthrie, who was last seen being dropped off at her home. The challenges with the DNA testing highlight the importance of forensic technology and its limitations in complex missing persons investigations.

The details

According to Sheriff Nanos, the DNA samples recovered from Guthrie's home are 'mixed', meaning they contain genetic material from more than one person. This makes it harder for investigators to run the evidence through national databases to try and identify potential suspects. Nanos said the lab his department is using in Florida has informed him that the 'technology is moving so fast and in such a frenzy' that the issues could take 'weeks, months, or maybe a year' to resolve. Despite the delays, Nanos stated that investigators are still pursuing other avenues of the investigation, including trying to identify other items of clothing or personal effects that may have been left behind at the scene.

  • Nancy Guthrie was last seen on the night of Saturday, January 31, 2026, after being dropped off at her home in the Catalina Foothills area near Tucson.
  • Sheriff Nanos made the comments about the DNA challenges in an interview that aired on NBC Nightly News on Saturday, February 22, 2026.

The players

Chris Nanos

The sheriff of Pima County, Arizona, who is leading the investigation into the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie.

Nancy Guthrie

An 84-year-old woman who went missing from her home in Tucson, Arizona on January 31, 2026. She is the mother of NBC 'Today' host Savannah Guthrie.

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What they’re saying

“Our lab tells us that there are challenges with it. The technology is moving so fast and in such a frenzy that they think some of this stuff will resolve itself just in a matter of weeks, months, or maybe a year.”

— Chris Nanos, Pima County Sheriff (NBC Nightly News)

“It's never fast enough for the Sheriff. I want it like you. Come on, guys, let's go. Let's go, let us find her. But the reality is, I also know that sometimes things take time.”

— Chris Nanos, Pima County Sheriff (NBC Nightly News)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights the challenges law enforcement faces in complex missing persons investigations, particularly when dealing with limitations in forensic technology. Despite public pressure to quickly solve the case, Sheriff Nanos acknowledges that sometimes investigations take time, underscoring the need for patience and perseverance in the search for answers.