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DNA Expert Who Unmasked Golden State Killer Offers Insight on Guthrie Case
Genetic genealogist shares how investigative technique could aid in tracking down Nancy Guthrie's abductor
Published on Feb. 23, 2026
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A genetic genealogist who helped identify the notorious Golden State Killer has provided insight to CNN's Brianna Keilar on how the same investigative technique could be used to track down the abductor of Nancy Guthrie, a recent high-profile missing persons case.
Why it matters
The use of genetic genealogy has proven to be a powerful tool in solving cold cases and identifying suspects in violent crimes. As this technique becomes more widely adopted by law enforcement, it raises important questions about privacy, consent, and the ethical boundaries of such investigative methods.
The details
The genetic genealogist, who previously helped crack the Golden State Killer case, explained to CNN how investigators could leverage public genealogy databases and DNA evidence to potentially identify Nancy Guthrie's abductor. This approach involves uploading crime scene DNA to genealogy websites to find distant genetic matches, then building out family trees to narrow down potential suspects.
- Nancy Guthrie went missing on February 15, 2026.
The players
Nancy Guthrie
A recent high-profile missing persons case in which a woman disappeared under suspicious circumstances.
Golden State Killer
A notorious serial killer who was identified years after his crimes through the use of genetic genealogy.
What’s next
Investigators are expected to continue exploring the use of genetic genealogy as they search for leads in the Nancy Guthrie case.
The takeaway
The Nancy Guthrie case highlights the growing role of genetic genealogy in law enforcement, raising important questions about privacy, consent, and the ethical boundaries of such investigative methods as this powerful tool becomes more widely adopted.
