More than 100 days after Nancy Guthrie—mother of Today co-host Savannah Guthrie—vanished from her home in Tucson, Arizona, a retired FBI agent is challenging assumptions about the single strand of hair publicly linked to the case, arguing that it is almost certainly not the only forensic evidence collected.
In a wide‑ranging interview, former agent Steve Moore also criticized the early handling of the scene by the Pima County Sheriff’s Department, questioned the meaning behind Sheriff Chris Nanos’ recent “we’re getting closer” remark, and outlined how leadership turmoil could either stall or accelerate the investigation depending on who is ultimately responsible for the breakdowns described by deputies.
In an interview with NewsNation’s Miami Bureau Correspondent Brian Entin on his YouTube channel, Moore said that if investigators located even one hair inside the home, “there are probably 10 more” that have not been disclosed publicly. He added that evidence in major cases is often “invisible” to the naked eye and that trained technicians know where to look for fingerprints, skin cells and trace material.
Why It Matters
The hair may be just a fraction of the evidence. Moore said that finding one hair almost always means more exist, suggesting that investigators likely recovered additional trace material that has not been disclosed.
Early confusion may have compromised the scene. Sergeant Aaron Cross described the chaotic first hours, conflicting information from family members, and communication breakdowns between deputies and the FBI. Moore said confusion at a crime scene signals a failure of leadership and preparation.
Leadership questions could affect the investigation. With recall efforts and political pressure mounting on Nanos, Moore said removing a sheriff mid‑case can temporarily slow progress but could ultimately help if leadership was part of the problem.
Discovery of remains would reshape the case. Moore said that if Guthrie’s body were ever found, even months later, the location alone would provide “a treasure trove” of evidence, from tire tracks to environmental clues.
What to Know About the Hair Found at the Scene
Moore said the hair found inside Guthrie’s home is unlikely to be the only trace evidence collected, calling it “very possible” that investigators recovered far more than has been publicly disclosed.
“Imagine the odds of a person coming into a crime scene, losing only one hair, and you find it,” he said. “That’s not likely. If you find one hair, there are probably 10 others that you’ve missed.”
Moore also argued that the confusion described by Cross—who said deputies encountered conflicting information from family members and communication breakdowns within the department—signals a deeper problem.
“You’re not allowed to have confusion at a crime scene,” Moore said. “If there’s confusion, it means nobody’s in charge who knows what they’re doing.”
He compared the response to an emergency room, where staff may move quickly but are never disorganized.
“That’s a sign of inadequate preparation,” he added.
Why Finding Nancy Guthrie’s Remains Would Change Everything
Moore also explained how significant it would be if Guthrie’s remains were ever found, even months later.
“It would be another treasure trove of evidence,” he said.
The location alone could reveal tire tracks, footprints or environmental clues.
“Somebody’s not going to drive a hundred miles one direction to dump a body and then come back,” he said. “They just don’t do that.”
DNA recovery would still be possible in many scenarios, he added, noting that skin cells and other trace materials can survive long after a body is exposed to the elements.
Moore repeatedly returned to the idea that evidence is often invisible and requires trained technicians to find it.
“The evidence that convicts people is frequently invisible,” he said. “You’re not going to see a fingerprint from more than a foot away.”
He said that if investigators found one hair, it strongly suggests they found more.
“There is evidence everywhere,” he said. “Hopefully, they have way more than just the hair.”
The FBI continues to lead the investigation into Guthrie’s disappearance.
Leadership Turmoil Could Shape the Investigation
Moore’s assessment comes as Nanos faces a recall effort and pressure from county commissioners. While some believe removing the sheriff could help the investigation, Moore said leadership changes almost always create short‑term setbacks.
“There is going to be a learning curve that’s going to stunt the growth of the investigation for a little while,” he said.
But if leadership was part of the problem, he added, “that would be a very short time of stumbling and a vast improvement going forward.”
Moore said he does not view Nanos’ recent statement of progress as a sign of a major development.
“I think he didn’t feel like saying ‘same old, different day,’” Moore said. “I would need something more than that for it to mean anything significant to me.”
He noted that investigators technically get “closer” every day simply by eliminating people or leads.
He also addressed the chaotic first hours at the Guthrie home, which Cross described as a period marked by uncertainty, emotional family members and unclear direction. Moore said investigators must immediately separate relatives, calm them, and gather clear information while simultaneously securing the scene.
“You need to get them in an emotional position where they can provide lucid information,” he said. “If you don’t tell me calmly, it slows the investigation down.”
Moore highlighted that even if the family had already moved through parts of the home, investigators should still have established a controlled environment.
“You can’t just say, ‘We can’t talk in here,’” he said. “But you can constrain everything into a neutral site—someplace that isn’t going to screw up the investigation.”
Who Is Overseeing the Nancy Guthrie Case?
While Nanos remains the top elected official whose department is responsible for the case, he is no longer the point of contact for Guthrie’s family and is not personally directing day‑to‑day communication.
Nanos confirmed in a recent interview with People that he has stepped back from direct interaction with the Guthrie family.
“I personally am not,” he said when asked if he was still in touch with them.
Instead, he emphasized that communication now flows through his detectives and the FBI, who have taken on a central operational role.
“If they need the family for anything, they get in touch with them,” he said. “It works both ways.”
The shift marks a notable change from the early days of the investigation, when Nanos exchanged occasional texts and calls with Savannah Guthrie, who took leave from hosting Today to help search for her mother. Even then, Nanos acknowledged that federal agents and his investigative teams were the ones meeting with her face‑to‑face.
“She doesn’t need to talk to me,” he said at the time.
Today, the structure of the investigation reflects a multi‑agency effort in which the sheriff’s office remains the lead local authority, but the FBI handles much of the investigative heavy lifting, including forensic analysis, digital evidence recovery and family communication. Detectives within the sheriff’s department continue to work alongside federal agents, reviewing surveillance footage, processing tips and coordinating with the family when necessary.
Despite the layered oversight, the case remains without a suspect or confirmed motive. Surveillance video released by federal investigators shows a masked, armed intruder tampering with Guthrie’s doorbell camera hours before she vanished. Multiple ransom notes have surfaced, though their authenticity remains unclear.
What Happened to Nancy Guthrie?
Guthrie was last seen the night of January 31, when her son‑in‑law, Tommaso Cioni, dropped her off around 9:50 p.m. The next morning, she failed to appear for a scheduled church livestream, prompting a concerned church member to alert the family. Relatives arrived at the home shortly before noon, found her missing and called 911.
Deputies noted that her phone, medication and personal belongings were still inside—signs that deepened concern. Authorities described her disappearance as a violent, targeted kidnapping. Investigators say evidence inside the residence—including blood later confirmed to be hers—made it immediately clear she did not leave voluntarily.
“At this point, investigators believe she was taken from her home against her will,” Nanos said, adding that Guthrie could not have walked far on her own because of her limited mobility.
Within hours, the case escalated into a multi‑agency investigation involving the Pima County Sheriff’s Department, FBI, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and search‑and‑rescue teams. Surveillance footage, neighborhood canvassing and forensic analysis all pointed to a forced entry in the early morning hours. A masked, armed intruder was captured on Guthrie’s doorbell camera around 1:47 a.m., attempting to disable the device. The FBI later recovered backend data and released still images and video showing the suspect wearing gloves and a backpack, and carrying a weapon.
The investigation soon took an unexpected turn when multiple media outlets received alleged ransom notes demanding cryptocurrency. Some letters included specific details about Guthrie’s home and clothing, though authorities have not confirmed whether any were authentic. One California man was arrested for posing as an abductor, but officials said his scheme was unrelated to the broader case. Despite the public circulation of ransom demands, no verified “proof of life” has been received.
Authorities have executed multiple search warrants, detained persons of interest, and seized potential evidence—including gloves initially thought to match those worn by the suspect. DNA on the gloves was later traced to a restaurant worker and ruled out. Investigators say other DNA evidence remains under analysis.
Nancy Guthrie’s condition remains unknown. The case continues to draw national attention, with federal and local agencies maintaining that the investigation remains active. Anyone with information is urged to contact law enforcement or submit tips through the FBI.
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