The disappearance of 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie has prompted investigators in Arizona to consider using advanced genetic genealogy techniques after standard DNA database searches failed to identify a suspect.
The Pima County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that DNA recovered from a pair of gloves found roughly two miles from Guthrie’s Catalina Foothills home did not match any profiles in the national CODIS database. With that traditional investigative path exhausted for now, detectives are exploring the possibility of investigative genetic genealogy (IGG), a method that uses consumer DNA databases and family tree research to generate potential leads.
Authorities also disclosed that the DNA profile found on the gloves does not match biological evidence collected from Guthrie’s residence. The genetic material recovered at the home remains under analysis, and additional forensic testing is ongoing.
Guthrie was reported missing on Feb. 1 after she failed to log into a virtual church service. She had last been seen the evening before, when her daughter brought her home following a family dinner. Investigators believe she was abducted during the early morning hours.
As the search continued, the FBI released surveillance images and video showing a person outside the home wearing gloves, a face covering, and a backpack. The individual appeared to disable and remove a security camera mounted near the front door. Federal officials described the person as likely male, approximately 5’9” to 5’10” with an average build.
Search teams later canvassed the surrounding area and recovered 16 gloves. Most were determined to have been discarded by volunteers participating in the search. However, authorities indicated that one glove appeared different and may resemble those seen in the surveillance footage. That glove contained the DNA profile currently under investigation.
Investigative genetic genealogy has gained attention in recent years for its use in cases where traditional DNA comparison methods fail. The technique was notably used in the Bryan Kohberger case, in which genealogical research helped investigators identify family connections to DNA recovered at a crime scene before additional testing confirmed a statistical match.
In Guthrie’s case, authorities have not yet announced whether IGG will be formally deployed, but the method is under consideration as detectives continue processing evidence and searching for new leads.
The investigation remains active as officials work to determine what happened and who may be responsible.
