Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos has responded to reports suggesting a new person of interest had been detained in the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the mother of “Today” co-host Savannah Guthrie.
Speculation began circulating Friday in media reports and online posts claiming a possible detention related to the case. However, Michael Ruiz reported on X that when asked about the claims, Nanos responded with a single word: “Nope,” indicating no such development had occurred.
“Sheriff Nanos’ one-word reply when asked about new reports that another person of interest has been detained in the Nancy Guthrie case: ‘Nope,'” Ruiz noted.
Before Ruiz published his report, true crime host Nancy Grace addressed the circulating claims on her “Crime Stories” YouTube series. The host began an episode of the show recently by saying, “Bombshell. To Tucson and the Nancy Guthrie disappearance. Has a guy been detained overnight for questioning?”
David Mack, her guest, discussed the potential implications of claims that someone had been taken in for questioning. Throughout the conversation, they emphasized that no information had been confirmed, including Mack’s references to a “possible suspect” and “possible new information.”
The pair disclosed two key details from the report that Nanos would later dispute. The most significant point was the claim that someone had been taken into custody for questioning.
Additionally, it was reported that this individual was apprehended near the same location where an earlier suspect was arrested in connection with the case, south of Tucson and California, Men’s Journal reported.
🚨🔎🚨Sheriff Nanos’ one-word reply when asked about new reports that another person of interest has been detained in the Nancy Guthrie case: “Nope.”
— Michael Ruiz (@mikerreports) April 17, 2026
Earlier this week, the Federal Bureau of Investigation received DNA evidence recovered from the Tucson, Arizona, home of Guthrie, including test results from a hair sample, according to sources familiar with the investigation.
A source told Fox News that investigators collected DNA material from the residence and submitted it to the FBI for further analysis, including more advanced testing. CeCe Moore, an investigative genetic genealogist with Parabon NanoLabs, said a hair sample is unlikely to be part of a mixed DNA profile that investigators have reportedly been analyzing, the outlet reported.
“Not after it is cleaned for contamination,” she said. “They have that process in good shape, but it can take some time.” She added of the sample: “I would assume it would be Nancy plus two or more unknowns.”
A spokesman for the Pima County Sheriff’s Department told Fox the police agency has “sharing a lot of things” with the FBI lab regarding Guthrie’s case.
“PCSD has worked with the FBI since the beginning of the Guthrie investigation. This is not new information,” the department wrote on X. “The private lab we utilize in Florida continues to share information with the FBI lab & other partner labs across the country. DNA analysis remains ongoing.”
Nanos has said that DNA recovered from the scene has not yet identified a suspect in the Feb. 1 kidnapping of Nancy.
Earlier in the investigation, the sheriff’s department submitted a sample to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for comparison against its Combined DNA Index System. That search did not produce a match, and authorities later ruled out any connection based on that sample. Investigators also identified a separate mixed, partial DNA sample that was not strong enough to generate a profile suitable for CODIS.
More than 11 weeks after the disappearance, officials say it remains unclear what additional information the available DNA evidence may yield. Experts have indicated that the sample appears to be a complex mixture, likely containing genetic material from three or more individuals.
Authorities have said that at least one contributor to the DNA evidence is male, adding that other forensic testing has already been completed.
For example, blood found on the front porch was confirmed to belong to Nancy Guthrie. Investigators also examined a glove recovered about two miles from her home, which they said resembled one worn by a masked individual captured on a Nest doorbell camera.
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