A hair sample recovered from Nancy Guthrie’s Tucson home has returned inconclusive results and does not point to a suspect, the sheriff overseeing the investigation said as the search for the missing 84-year-old reached the six-month mark.

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos told CBS News that forensic testing on the hair produced “no results.” The findings were verified in early June, but the department only made them public on Thursday. Nanos confirmed that blood and other DNA collected at the scene are still being analyzed and have so far also failed to yield usable leads.

“We have a lot of DNA that is being looked at by credible scientists around the country who know and understand what they have in front of them and they understand the rules that they have to play by,” he said.

Investigation Remains Active
Nancy Guthrie was last seen on the evening of January 31, 2026, after being dropped off at her Catalina Foothills home following dinner with family. Security footage showed a masked individual at her front door in the early hours of February 1. Investigators believe she was abducted. At least two ransom notes were sent in the days that followed; one later claimed she had died and been “buried in nature.”

Nanos said the case is “far from being cold.” He noted that no additional video evidence has been recovered beyond the original doorbell camera footage and that the suspect or suspects appear to have avoided traffic cameras. Asked whether he believes those responsible could still be local, Nanos replied, “absolutely,” citing the statistical reality that most crimes are committed by people from the area.

Family Plea and Sheriff’s Response to Criticism
Earlier this week Savannah Guthrie posted a new video appeal directed at her mother’s kidnappers, urging them to “do the right thing” and help bring Nancy home. Nanos echoed that message, saying it is never too late for someone with information to come forward.

The sheriff also addressed earlier criticism from FBI Director Kash Patel, who had suggested the local department was slow to involve federal agents. Nanos said he has never spoken directly with Patel but insisted the two agencies have been working closely together for decades.

Despite the lack of breakthroughs from the hair and other DNA samples so far, Nanos said he remains optimistic the case will be resolved “based on all the evidence before me.” He emphasized that investigators know more than has been made public and continue to work every credible lead.

A substantial reward remains available for information that leads to answers in the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie.

Main Sources: CBS News and statements from Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos.