HAIR FOUND INSIDE NANCY GUTHRIE’S HOME — BUT IT DIDN’T LEAD INVESTIGATORS TO A SUSPECT

For months, investigators hoped that biological evidence recovered from Nancy Guthrie’s Arizona home might provide the breakthrough needed to identify whoever abducted her.

Now, authorities have revealed that the hair evidence did not produce a match to a suspect.

THE DNA CLUE THAT WENT NOWHERE

A hair sample recovered from Nancy’s home was sent for advanced forensic analysis as investigators searched for DNA that could potentially identify her abductor. ABC News previously reported that the FBI was analyzing the sample using newer technology.

But the latest update is disappointing.

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said the hair evidence had been resolved and did not point to a suspect in Nancy’s disappearance. The FBI also confirmed the testing did not produce a breakthrough.

SO WHO DID THE HAIR BELONG TO?

That remains unclear.

The presence of hair inside Nancy’s home does not automatically mean it belonged to her kidnapper.

Investigators have to determine whether biological material is relevant to the crime, whether it can produce a usable DNA profile and whether that profile can be connected to a specific person.

In this case, the testing did not provide the identification investigators were hoping for.

ANOTHER LEAD THAT FAILED

The hair evidence is not the only forensic lead that has failed to produce an arrest.

DNA recovered from a glove found roughly two miles from Nancy’s home was previously traced to a nearby restaurant employee.

Authorities determined that person had nothing to do with the case.

That means investigators have now had to eliminate multiple apparent DNA leads while continuing to search for evidence that points toward the person responsible.

NANCY IS STILL MISSING

Nancy Guthrie, 84, was taken from her Tucson-area home in the early hours of February 1 and remains missing.

Authorities believe she was abducted, and the investigation continues with the FBI assisting the Pima County Sheriff’s Department.

Investigators have also released two ransom notes in an effort to generate new information about the person who wrote them.

THE HAIR WAS THERE.

THE DNA TESTING WAS DONE.

BUT THE ANSWER INVESTIGATORS NEEDED WASN’T THERE.

For Nancy’s family, another potential breakthrough has ended without an identification.

And after months of searching, one question remains:

Who entered Nancy Guthrie’s home — and where did they take her?