DNA Expert Hopeful New Tech Could Crack Nancy Guthrie Case

CeCe Moore says upcoming advancements may help investigators deconvolute mixed DNA samples from the disappearance investigation.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 1:53pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a single piece of physical evidence related to the Nancy Guthrie disappearance case, such as a swab or fiber, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conceptually illustrating the gritty, investigative nature of the case.As investigators struggle to deconvolute the complex DNA evidence in the Nancy Guthrie disappearance, new forensic technologies may soon provide a breakthrough.Tucson Today

CeCe Moore, a genetic genealogy expert, discussed how new DNA sequencing technology could potentially help investigators analyze the complex, mixed DNA evidence collected in the disappearance of 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie. Authorities have said the DNA samples from Guthrie's home near Tucson, Arizona contained genetic material from multiple people, presenting challenges for the lab. Moore expressed hope that upcoming advancements could allow investigators to better separate and identify the DNA profiles, potentially leading to a breakthrough in the case.

Why it matters

The Nancy Guthrie case has garnered national attention as the mother of NBC's Today co-host Savannah Guthrie. Investigators have struggled to make progress due to the complex nature of the DNA evidence, but new technological developments could provide a path forward if they can successfully deconvolute the mixed samples.

The details

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos has said the DNA collected from Guthrie's home was 'mixed,' meaning it contained genetic material from more than one person. The lab reported challenges in analyzing the evidence, and Nanos acknowledged it could take months or longer before the samples are ready for investigative genetic genealogy. CeCe Moore, chief genetic genealogist at Parabon Nanolabs, discussed how upcoming advancements in DNA sequencing technology could help investigators overcome these hurdles. She said companies are working to improve the ability to separate and identify DNA profiles, even in complex mixtures, which could be crucial for cracking the Guthrie case.

  • On January 31, Nancy Guthrie was last seen at her home near Tucson, Arizona.
  • On February 1, Guthrie's family reported her missing.
  • In late February, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos discussed the challenges the lab faced in analyzing the mixed DNA evidence from Guthrie's home.

The players

Nancy Guthrie

An 84-year-old woman who went missing from her home near Tucson, Arizona on January 31. Her disappearance is under investigation.

Savannah Guthrie

The co-host of NBC's Today show and Nancy Guthrie's daughter.

Chris Nanos

The Pima County Sheriff who has provided updates on the investigation into Nancy Guthrie's disappearance.

CeCe Moore

The chief genetic genealogist at Parabon Nanolabs who discussed how new DNA sequencing technology could potentially help investigators analyze the complex DNA evidence in the Nancy Guthrie case.

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What they’re saying

“I suspect there are a number of people that are working as fast as they can trying to figure out a way to work with these more complex mixtures. Nancy's case is certainly the one that is making this a top priority, but it's something that we really need in the field anyway.”

— CeCe Moore, Chief Genetic Genealogist, Parabon Nanolabs

“Our lab tells us that there's challenges with it, and we understand those challenges, but our lab also knows that 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, to allow them to do better with, say, a mixture of that kind of thing.”

— Chris Nanos, Pima County Sheriff

“I received so many letters, so much kindness to me and my whole family. We feel it. We feel your prayers, so thank you so much.”

— Savannah Guthrie

What’s next

Investigators are hopeful that new DNA sequencing technology could help them deconvolute the mixed DNA samples collected from Nancy Guthrie's home. If they are able to identify a suspect's DNA profile, it could be a major breakthrough in the case. In the meantime, authorities continue to urge anyone with information to come forward.

The takeaway

The Nancy Guthrie disappearance case highlights the challenges law enforcement can face when dealing with complex DNA evidence, but also the potential for emerging technologies to provide new avenues for investigation. As genetic analysis capabilities continue to advance, experts are optimistic that investigators may soon have the tools needed to crack this high-profile missing persons case.