FBI Takes Nancy Guthrie DNA Sample After Sheriff First Sent It To Private Lab
The FBI has taken custody of a DNA sample linked to missing Nancy Guthrie after the county sheriff sent it to a private lab.
Pima County sent a hair sample from Guthrie's home to Florida's DNA Labs International shortly after her suspected abduction. The FBI told investigators about two months ago that it wanted to test the sample with its own technology, but the sheriff chose the private lab instead. FBI public affairs official Ben Williamson said the sample has now been transferred to the agency for more advanced testing. Experts expect the FBI may use Astrea Forensics, the San Francisco lab that used rootless hair DNA in the Rex Heuermann Gilgo Beach case. Genetic genealogist CeCe Moore said she has not seen successful cases from DNA Labs International, contrasting its record with Astrea's.
Earlier coverage emphasized the sheriff's choice to use a private lab and community frustration over slow progress in Guthrie's case. Newer reporting revealed the FBI had asked to test the sample months earlier and that the bureau now has the material, shifting scrutiny toward the timing and decision to forgo federal testing. Local activists and online commenters pressed the sheriff's office, and a petition sought access for the volunteer group United Cajun Navy, adding public pressure to calls for transparency.
đ Key Facts
- The Pima County Sheriff's Department initially sent a hair sample from Nancy Guthrie's home to DNA Labs International (DLI) in Florida shortly after her suspected abduction.
- The FBI had requested the sample about two months earlier to test using its own technology, but the sheriff opted to send it to a private lab instead.
- The hair sample has now been transferred to the FBI for more advanced testing, according to FBI public affairs official Ben Williamson.
- Experts say the FBI is likely to use Astrea Forensics, the San Francisco lab that applied rootless-hair DNA methods in the Rex Heuermann Gilgo Beach case, on Guthrie's sample.
- Genetic genealogist CeCe Moore noted that Astrea has a track record with rootless-hair testing, whereas she said she has not seen successful cases from DLI to date.
đ° Source Timeline (2)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- Confirms the Pima County Sheriff's Department initially sent a hair sample from Guthrie's home to DNA Labs International in Florida shortly after her suspected abduction.
- Reports that the FBI had asked to test this DNA about two months earlier using its own technology, but the sheriff instead chose a private lab.
- States the sample has now been transferred to the FBI for more advanced testing, according to FBI public affairs official Ben Williamson.
- Highlights experts' belief that Astrea Forensics, the San Francisco lab that worked the Rex Heuermann Gilgo Beach case using rootless hair DNA, is likely to be used on Guthrie's sample.
- Quotes genetic genealogist CeCe Moore contrasting Astrea's track record on rootless hair with DLI, saying she has not seen successful cases from DLI yet.