That's So Criminal: "Finding Nancy Guthrie: The DNA Takes a Turn" – Ep. 22 (April 17, 2026)

Episode Overview

In this compelling episode of That’s So Criminal, investigative reporter Lynden Blake explores the latest developments in the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, a grandmother missing for 76 days. The episode focuses on the FBI obtaining and analyzing a critical hair DNA sample, the ongoing investigation's setbacks, and public missteps by the Pima County Sheriff’s Office. Special attention is given to the hope that new forensic technologies may finally provide a breakthrough, bringing hope to the Guthrie family and all following the case.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The DNA Turn: FBI Moves Forward with Critical Hair Sample

• Background: The FBI now has access to a hair DNA sample recovered early in the investigation from Nancy Guthrie’s home. This same evidence had been delayed at a private lab in Florida, causing frustration in the investigation's momentum.
• Jurisdictional Tensions: Discrepancies arose between the Pima County Sheriff's Office and the FBI regarding the significance and handling of the DNA sample.
  • Pima County Statement: Claims to have partnered with the FBI from the start, asserting "this is not new information" and that DNA analysis is ongoing.
  • FBI Response: Contradicts Pima County, confirming this is indeed "new information" since they've finally received the sample after an 11-week delay by Pima County sending it to a private lab first.
  • Quote: Lynden Blake [04:16]:
    “FBI has this new technology, this is very recent, where they can get DNA off rootless hair. Hair with a root, pretty straightforward. Hair without a root gets a little complicated.”

2. The Science Behind the Hair Sample

• Rootless Hair DNA Extraction:
  • Forensic expert Cece Moore clarifies the impact of new FBI technology for analyzing “rootless” hair.
  • Quote Cece Moore [03:47]:
    "Hair absolutely can make the case solvable. So I'm really excited. And the fact that they sent it to the FBI is interesting to me because they don't have the technology to extract snips from rootless hair. And I am assuming it's rootless hair, because if it had a root, it would be really quite straightforward, and the lab in Florida would have already done that, and maybe the case would already be solved."
• Mitigating the Risks:
  • Historically, rootless hair only allowed for mitochondrial DNA extraction—good for eliminating suspects, but not for exclusive identification.
  • Quote Cece Moore [04:39]:
    “Only mitochondrial DNA can be good for helping to rule people out. It's not so good for ruling people in, because so many people share the same profile.”

3. A "Hail Mary" and Public Hopes

• Investigation Fatigue & Hope:
  • Day 76—any progress, even uncertain, brings hope.
  • Lynden stresses the new analysis is a high-stakes gamble, potentially a breakthrough but possibly another dead end if the hair belongs to someone who had legitimate access to the home.
  • Quote Lynden Blake [05:12]:
    "This is another Hail Mary attempt in this investigation. But when you're on day 76, you get excited when there is a development."

4. Savannah Guthrie’s On-Air Absence: Family Strain in the Spotlight

• Notable Incident:
  • Savannah Guthrie, host of NBC's Today Show and Nancy Guthrie’s daughter, unexpectedly left the set during a major interview.
  • This public exit is linked to developments in the case, highlighting the family’s anguish.
  • Quote Lynden Blake [06:44]:
    “You’re not just walking off the set of the Today Show to go to the bathroom. That is not how this works. She had an agreement that if she came back to work, she could leave at a moment’s notice if anything was going on in the case of her missing mother.”

5. Pima County Sheriff’s Office Misstep

• Confusing Public Communication:
  • The Sheriff's Office posted about a "Nancy" being “located”—but referred to Nancy Radkovich, not Nancy Guthrie, while using a photo resembling Guthrie.
  • Blowback over the post highlights public impatience and the office's perceived lack of sensitivity.
  • Quote Lynden Blake [08:02]:
    "They were not talking about Nancy Guthrie. They were talking about Nancy Radkovich. But they are getting grilled right now with this tone deaf post... Tone deaf, amateurish, not a good look."

6. The Road Ahead

• Awaiting Results:
  • The process of analyzing rootless hair DNA is slow; results may be months away.
  • Rewards remain active for information leading to Nancy Guthrie’s recovery: 1-800-CALL-FBI.

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• Cece Moore on hair DNA technology [03:47]:
  • "Hair absolutely can make the case solvable. So I'm really excited. And the fact that they sent it to the FBI is interesting to me..."
• Lynden Blake on the investigation's state [05:12]:
  • "This is another Hail Mary attempt in this investigation. But when you're on day 76, you get excited when there is a development..."
• Lynden Blake on Pima County’s misstep [08:02]:
  • “They were not talking about Nancy Guthrie. ...They are getting grilled right now with this tone deaf post... Tone deaf, amateurish, not a good look.”

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:31] - [01:05]: Lynden recaps the emergence of new DNA evidence and Savannah Guthrie’s public reaction.
• [01:05] - [02:42]: Detailed background on DNA evidence handling and law enforcement statements.
• [03:47] - [04:39]: Cece Moore explains the significance of rootless hair DNA and technological advances.
• [05:12]: Lynden frames the development as a critical, if uncertain, turning point.
• [06:44]: Discussion of Savannah Guthrie’s abrupt Today Show walk-off.
• [08:02]: Critique of Pima County Sheriff’s Office’s misleading social media post.

Tone and Style

• Language: Lynden Blake maintains an investigative, urgent tone, balancing cautious optimism with realism and critique of local authorities.
• Expert Input: Cece Moore brings precise, hopeful scientific insight with clear caveats.
• Community Concern: The episode captures public expectation and frustration, especially regarding law enforcement communication.

Conclusion

This episode of That’s So Criminal offers rare inside access and expert clarity on the Nancy Guthrie case’s latest development—the potential game-changing DNA evidence now in the FBI’s hands. While the outcome is still uncertain, the show powerfully conveys the stakes, the hope for closure, and the family’s endurance in the national spotlight. The community and investigators alike now await what science—finally applied to this critical sample—might reveal.