Investigators Await DNA Evidence in Nancy Guthrie Kidnapping

No suspects identified yet as search continues for the 84-year-old woman missing since early February.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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Nancy Guthrie, an 84-year-old woman from Tucson, Arizona's Catalina Foothills neighborhood, was kidnapped from her home in the middle of the night on February 1. Investigators are still waiting for DNA evidence found at the scene to be analyzed, hoping it will lead them to a suspect. So far, no suspects have been identified, and there are no signs of Guthrie, leaving authorities concerned this may now be a 'body recovery operation'.

Why it matters

The Guthrie kidnapping has shaken the Catalina Foothills community, with a growing memorial of yellow flowers and ribbons serving as a reminder of the unsolved case. Investigators are exploring all avenues, including genetic genealogy, to try and identify a suspect, as the community waits anxiously for any updates on Guthrie's whereabouts.

The details

DNA evidence found inside Guthrie's home is still being analyzed by authorities, and other DNA found on a glove about two miles from her home has not matched any samples in the national CODIS database. Investigators are now turning to genetic genealogy to try and connect the DNA to potential family members of a suspect. Authorities have also been in touch with officials on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border, though there is no evidence Guthrie has been taken there.

  • Nancy Guthrie was kidnapped from her home in the Catalina Foothills on February 1, 2026.
  • It has been almost three weeks since Guthrie's disappearance.

The players

Nancy Guthrie

An 84-year-old woman who was kidnapped from her home in Tucson, Arizona's Catalina Foothills neighborhood on February 1, 2026.

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos

The sheriff overseeing the investigation into Guthrie's kidnapping.

Jeffeory Hynes

A retired Phoenix police commander providing analysis on the case.

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What they’re saying

“Unfortunately, the further out we go the implications are there that it's a body recovery operation now.”

— Jeffeory Hynes, Retired Phoenix police commander (12news.com)

“It give me hope that we're going to identify a suspect and have the ability to follow up on that.”

— Jeffeory Hynes, Retired Phoenix police commander (12news.com)

“They're not going to stop until they find this person.”

— Jeffeory Hynes, Retired Phoenix police commander (12news.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow any suspects out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights the urgency and challenges investigators face in missing persons cases, especially as time passes with no leads. The community's hope for Nancy Guthrie's safe return remains strong, but authorities are preparing for the possibility of a tragic outcome as they continue to pursue all available evidence.