It’s been three months Nancy Guthrie“Today” co-host Savannah Guthrie’s 84-year-old mother was abducted from her home in Tucson, Arizona, on February 1. So far, no suspects have been named, but investigators and experts are still actively working on the case, and new developments suggest science and hope may lead to answers.
DNA evidence may hold key to Nancy Guthrie case
On May 6, The CW aired a special called NewsNation Presents: The Nancy Guthrie Mystery, in which NewsNation senior national correspondent Brian Entin discussed DNA evidence in the case with Arizona State University forensic science professor April Stonehouse.
Stonehouse explains that whoever took Nancy inevitably left biological traces. “We know scientifically that they leave traces of DNA,” she said. “It’s just a matter of locating and finding it,” according to procession.
She also broke down how DNA mixtures work, noting that samples from two people are relatively simple, while samples involving three, four or five people become more complex and time-consuming to analyze. “You’re basically at the mercy of whatever the suspect leaves behind,” she said.
When Entine asked her if she believed DNA could eventually solve the case, Stonehouse was hopeful: “I hope so. I hope so. Yes, I do.”
according to ABC 7, A private laboratory in Florida that has been working with the Pima County Sheriff’s Department sent a DNA sample, specifically a hair, to the FBI in mid-April for further processing.
Also read: Nancy Guthrie update: Ex-FBI agent explains why withholding case details: ‘It started a fire’
Elizabeth Smart urges public not to lose hope
Elizabeth Smart herself was kidnapped in 2002 at the age of 14, held captive for nine months, sexually assaulted multiple times and threatened with death if she tried to escape, CNN’s Erin Burnett reported on May 5. TV Insider.
“She could definitely still be alive,” Smart told Burnett. “Some of the cases were many years longer than mine, but they all came back alive. We’re talking many years, so it’s definitely possible she’s still alive.”
She acknowledged that not every result was promising but was adamant that the search must continue. “Of course, there are other options,” she said. “But until we know, we have to keep looking until… [Nancy] Either way, it should be taken home. “
Previously, in ledigaon Speaking on the podcast in February, she said, “I did come back, and so did the other victims. So, even though every day it feels like we’re losing more and more hope, or it seems like it’s less and less likely that she’ll be found, I think we have to remind ourselves that we can never give up,” according to TV Insider.
So far, investigators have released doorbell camera footage showing a masked suspect, but no arrests have been made. The investigation continues.
