Genetic Genealogy and DNA Evidence - Part 3 of Megyn Kelly Investigates Nancy Guthrie's Disappearance | Ep. 1276

March 19, 2026

AI Summary

5 min read

Megyn Kelly dives into the DNA evidence from Nancy Guthrie's Tucson home in this third installment of a four-part series on her February 11 abduction, exploring why forensic advances like genetic genealogy could crack the case despite current hurdles.

DNA Evidence from the Scene

Authorities from Pima County Sheriff's Department found DNA in Guthrie's home that doesn't belong to her or those in close contact, such as service providers. It's mixed DNA from multiple people, complicating isolation of a perpetrator's profile. No matches yet in the FBI's CODIS database of convicted offenders and some arrestees. Samples include items from the home, plus a glove found nearby yielding a restaurant worker's DNA via genealogy, though not linked to the crime. Experts note the intruder, despite gloves, hoodie, and mask, likely left touch DNA—skin cells shed from touching face, hair, or flashlight—on doorknobs, light switches, bedding, headboard, Nest camera remnants, or counters. A tool like the MVAC wet vacuum could collect far more DNA from fabrics than swabbing.

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What you'll learn

1 (00:45) **Episode Intro** - Megyn Kelly introduces Part 3 on Nancy Guthrie disappearance, focusing on DNA evidence and genetic genealogy
2 (01:42) **Genetic Genealogy Explained** - Overview of investigative genealogy using touch DNA and public databases
3 (02:40) **Case DNA Status** - Forensic testing underway on home samples, mixed DNA found not matching Nancy or contacts
4 (07:17) **Guests Introduced** - Will Gettis (security expert), James Hamilton (ex-FBI), Susanna Ryan (DNA lab director)
5 (09:19) **CODIS and Familial Search** - Susanna explains searching FBI's criminal database first, then Arizona's familial option
6 (10:42) **SNP Testing for Genealogy** - Shift to single nucleotide polymorphism testing on remaining samples for public databases
7 (13:57) **Family Tree Building and Confirmation** - Genealogists narrow via trees, then STR direct DNA swab on suspects

+ Full timestamped outline available in the app

Show Notes

Megyn Kelly is joined by security experts James Hamilton and Will Geddes and forensic DNA analyst Suzanna Ryan to discuss how the Nancy Guthrie case might be solved through genetic genealogy, how genetic genealogy and DNA testing works, what items in the house forensic investigators should be testing for DNA, how to build a profile of a suspect using DNA, how easy it is for a perpetrator to transfer DNA at a crime scene, the possibility that a transnational criminal group could be behind Nancy's disappearance, how that would impact the ability to find a DNA match, why the FBI put billboards up for “missing” Nancy Guthrie, and more.

Geddes- https://www.icpgroupcompanies.com/index.html

Hamilton- https://www.hamiltonsecuritygroup.com/

Ryan- https://ryanforensicdna.com/about/

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