TUCSON, Ariz. — Nearly three months after Nancy Guthrie was abducted from her Catalina Foothills home, investigators are advancing forensic analysis of DNA evidence, including hair samples sent to the FBI laboratory, as the search for the 84-year-old mother of NBC “Today” show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie reached its 88th day with no major public breakthroughs reported.

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos and federal authorities continue to describe the case as an active criminal investigation. While no suspect has been named and no arrests made in the abduction itself, officials confirm ongoing work with advanced forensic tools, including genetic genealogy techniques that have helped crack other high-profile cold cases.

The FBI has received DNA material recovered from inside Guthrie’s home, including hair evidence, for detailed testing. Sources familiar with the probe indicate the samples are undergoing next-generation sequencing and other specialized analysis. However, the FBI has clarified that this is not newly discovered evidence — the bureau requested the material more than two months ago after local authorities initially sent it to a private lab.

Blood droplets found on the front porch were confirmed early in the investigation to belong to Guthrie. Retired FBI profiler Jim Clemente and other experts have analyzed the spatter pattern, suggesting it could indicate she was injured during a violent confrontation with her abductor. Surveillance video captured a masked, armed intruder at the door around the time she vanished.

Guthrie was last seen around 9:45 p.m. on Jan. 31 after family members dropped her off following dinner. She was reported missing the next day when she failed to appear at church. The case quickly shifted from a missing-person inquiry to a suspected abduction.

The family, including Savannah Guthrie and her siblings, offered a $1 million reward for information leading to her safe return, plus additional incentives for arrests and convictions. Savannah returned to the “Today” show in early April, describing the family’s ongoing agony while pleading for public help.

A separate opportunist, Derrick Callella of California, faces trial after allegedly sending a fake ransom text to Savannah Guthrie. His case underscores how the high-profile disappearance has drawn scammers seeking to exploit the family’s distress. No verified ransom demand from the actual perpetrator has been confirmed.

Search efforts have been extensive, involving drones, cadaver dogs, ground teams and coordination across Arizona’s rugged desert terrain. Private investigators and former agents have publicly assessed that the chances of finding Guthrie alive after nearly 90 days are extremely low without proof-of-life communication, though authorities refuse to declare the case cold.

Forensic experts note that rootless hairs can still yield mitochondrial DNA useful for family tree building through genetic genealogy. Saliva potentially left on items like a flashlight reportedly held in the suspect’s mouth could also provide critical leads if properly analyzed.

The high-profile nature of the case has spotlighted vulnerabilities for elderly residents and the value of home security systems. Doorbell camera footage provided crucial early evidence, though the suspect’s mask and gloves have hindered identification. Additional neighborhood surveillance is still being reviewed.

Savannah Guthrie and her family have expressed gratitude for ongoing public support while asking for privacy as they await answers. In emotional appeals, they have stressed their desperate need for closure. “We need to know without a doubt that she’s alive,” Savannah said in one video message.

As April ends, the investigation remains focused on forensic science, digital records and persistent tip review. More than 4,000 tips were received in the early weeks, and officials say every credible lead continues to be pursued. The family has visited the home, now released from crime-scene status, and remains fully cooperative.

Broader discussions have emerged around elder safety, rapid response protocols and the emotional toll on families in long-term missing persons cases. Advocacy groups note that cases involving seniors sometimes receive less immediate national attention, though Guthrie’s family connections have kept the spotlight intense.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or submit tips online. The $1 million family reward remains active. As the search enters its third month, authorities and the Guthrie family continue hoping that advanced DNA work or a crucial tip will finally bring answers in a case that has gripped the nation.

Oil prices climbed again on Wednesday, extending their recent rally to an eighth consecutive day after reports that the U.S. plans to continue its blockade of Iranian ports, a move that could keep supply disruptions from the Middle East in place for longer.

According to a Wall Street Journal report late Tuesday, citing U.S. officials, President Donald Trump has asked aides to prepare for an extended blockade of Iran. The report said Trump intends to keep pressuring Iran’s economy and oil exports by restricting shipping to and from its ports.

Crude oil price on April 29
Brent crude futures for June rose 52 cents, or 0.47%, to $111.78 a barrel at 0154 GMT, climbing for an eighth day. The June contract expires on Thursday and the more active July contract was at $104.84, up 0.4%. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) futures for June rose 57 cents, or 0.57%, to $100.50 a barrel after ⁠gaining 3.7% ‌in the previous session, climbing for seven out of the last eight days.Further, the departure of UAE, one of OPEC’s most influential members, could add further volatility to oil markets. The UAE, along with Saudi Arabia, has been one of the few producers with meaningful spare capacity to help stabilise prices during supply shocks.

Trump also said Iran has asked the U.S. to lift the naval blockade of the strait while both sides negotiate an end to hostilities that have severely disrupted energy supplies from the region. The Strait of Hormuz has been largely impassable since fighting began in late February, pushing energy prices higher as flows of crude, natural gas and refined products were reduced.
The International Energy Agency has described the situation as the biggest supply shock in history, raising fears of a fresh inflation crisis.
Although a ceasefire has been in place since early April, the U.S. and Iran remain at odds over peace talks. CNN reported on Tuesday, citing people close to the negotiations, that mediators expect Iran to submit a revised proposal to end the war within the next few days. Trump said on Truth Social that Tehran wants the key oil shipping route reopened “as soon as possible, as they try to figure out their leadership situation.”
What’s next?
Goldman Sachs raised its fourth-quarter oil price forecasts to $90 a barrel for Brent crude and $83 for WTI, citing reduced Middle East output.

“The economic risks are larger than our crude base case alone suggests because of the net upside risks to oil prices, unusually high refined product prices, products shortages risks, and the unprecedented scale of the shock,” Reuters reported, citing Goldman Sachs analysts.

According to a Haitong Futures note cited by Reuters, the current ceasefire phase increasingly appears to be preparation for further conflict. It added that if U.S.-Iran talks fail to make meaningful progress by the end of April and hostilities resume, oil prices could rise to fresh highs for the year.

Macquarie estimates crude prices may remain supported in the $85 to $90 range in the near term, with a gradual move toward $110 as supply conditions improve. It also warned that prolonged disruptions through April could push Brent as high as $150 per barrel.

Nuvama Institutional Equities said an extended closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which handles around 20 million barrels per day, could lift crude prices into the $110 to $150 range.

(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times)

Q1: 2026-04-27 Earnings Summary

EPS of $0.87 beats by $0.08

 | Revenue of $45.10M (27.63% Y/Y) beats by $631.50K

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The Walt Disney Company is reportedly backing away from plans to spin off ESPN, shelving years of speculation that a standalone sports network could help offset the company’s declining cable business. 

The decision marks one of the first major calls under CEO Josh D’Amaro, who stepped into the role in March.

“Instead, the sports network will stay inside the media giant, which thinks its presence will help its pivot to streaming,” sources said, according to Business Insider.

However, the decision is not permanent, the outlet noted. While Josh D’Amaro reportedly indicated that he does not see a near-term path to a spinoff, he could revisit the option down the line as conditions evolve, according to Business Insider.

DISNEY UNVEILS NEW DIRECT-TO-CONSUMER ESPN STREAMING SERVICE WITH $29.99 PRICE TAG

In addition, Disney could still explore bringing in strategic partners to take minority stakes, similar to its sale of a 10% stake in ESPN to the NFL last year. 

The decision effectively cools down long-running rumors of ESPN potentially spinning off, which first gained traction after former CEO Bob Iger stunned the media industry in 2015 by revealing that the once profit-generating colossus was losing subscribers.

Ticker	Security	Last	Change	Change %
DIS	THE WALT DISNEY CO.	101.47	-0.88	-0.86%

As viewers have grown more selective with their spending in recent years, the cord-cutting wave has accelerated across the cable industry, raising concerns that the declining business was weighing on Disney’s overall valuation.

By remaining under Disney, sources say the current structure could better position ESPN to accelerate its pivot to streaming, Business Insider reported. 

DISNEY LOSING $30M A WEEK AS YOUTUBE TV BLACKOUT DRAGS ON, ANALYSTS SAY

Around August 2025, ESPN became available outside the traditional cable bundle for the first time, marking a major shift for sports fans who previously had to pay for costly packages that included channels they did not want. 

Based on the new decision, Disney will continue distributing ESPN across multiple platforms, including its traditional cable bundle starting at roughly $75 per month, a streaming package alongside Hulu and Disney+ starting at $35.99 per month and a standalone direct-to-consumer offering $299.99 per year.

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Disney’s sports segment, anchored by ESPN, generated roughly $17.7 billion last year in revenue, roughly 19% of Disney’s total company revenue of $94.4 billion.  

FOX Business reached out to Disney for more information.