EXCLUSIVE: TUCSON, Ariz. â Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos, who is leading the investigation into the suspected abduction of , told Fox News Digital Friday that the task force handling the case is making progress nearly 100 days after she vanished from her home in the Catalina Foothills.
Asked whether investigators are closer to solving the case nearly 100 days in, Nanos replied, “We are.”
He nodded, adding that the developments are “really great” as he got into his white Corvette. He did not elaborate.
WATCH: Sheriff Nanos gives Nancy Guthrie update
VID ID: 6395009037112
Guthrie is the 84-year-old mother of “Today” show co-host .
He declined to answer another question about Mother’s Day, which is Sunday.
Late last month, a private forensic lab in Florida sent a for more advanced analysis.
Experts have told Fox News Digital the hair could be used for investigative or forensic genetic genealogy if it doesnt match anyone known to have been in Guthries home, potentially pointing a and FBI agents toward a suspect.
FOLLOW THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM ON X
Relatives and workers who had reason to be at Guthrie’s home have previously given voluntary DNA samples, so the hair could point to a suspect if it doesn’t match any of them.
“Building DNA profiles from hair or other does not necessarily take long,” said Dr. David Mittelman, co-founder of Othram, a leading private forensics laboratory.
“In the ‘Idaho Four’ murders, for example, the DNA profile was developed within days. The challenge in forensic genetic genealogy is not simply generating a DNA profile, but generating a high-quality profile. Poor-quality or incomplete DNA profiles can make genetic genealogy difficult, ambiguous, or even impossible.”
That’s because an incomplete profile can lead researchers to miss potential familial connections that could help find a suspect.
“If you don’t have a good profile, you may not see all the genetic relatives,” he added. “It can be harder to resolve how people are related or not.”
Nanos said previously that investigators believe Guthrie was taken from her home around 2:30 a.m. on Feb. 1.
LISTEN TO THE NEW ‘CRIME & JUSTICE WITH DONNA ROTUNNO’ PODCAST
after her daughter and son-in-law called 911 to report her missing.
Since then, the FBI obtained Nest doorbell imagery with the help of Google that shows a and build carrying a holstered pistol at Guthrie’s front steps around the time of her abduction.
A man in similar clothing was spotted about again.
He has not been publicly identified, but retired FBI profiler Jim Clemente told Fox News Digital this week that he believes the suspect made a number of mistakes that could help investigators identify him, if doesn’t come forward first.
There is a combined to solve the case.
To remain anonymous, contact Tucson’s 88- tip line at 520-882-7463.
The Guthrie family is urging anyone with information to dial 1-800-CALL-FBI.
