Nov 1980 – The murders of 23‑year‑old Lynn Vest and her 2½‑year‑old cousin Jeremy Pickens occur in Columbus, Ohio, leaving the case cold for decades until DNA advances enable a breakthrough [7].

Apr 1, 1987 – Rhonda Fisher is found strangled near Sedalia, Colorado; the case remains unsolved for nearly 40 years, highlighting the limits of earlier forensic methods [4].

2018 – Investigators use investigative genetic genealogy to identify the Golden State Killer, demonstrating the power of genealogy databases for cold‑case work [3].

2022 – Genetic genealogy leads to the conviction of Bryan Kohberger for the Idaho student murders, reinforcing the technique’s forensic impact [3].

Dec 3, 2025 – Douglas County investigators extract DNA from 1987 paper bags and match it to deceased serial killer Vincent Groves, solving the Rhonda Fisher murder and showcasing modern DNA tools [4].

Jan 24, 2026 – Ohio authorities announce that genetic genealogy has linked Charles Elliott to the 1980 Vest‑Pickens murders; they plan to exhume Elliott’s remains to confirm the match [7].

Feb 1‑16, 2026 – Tip line receives 28,000 calls, a 54 % increase over the prior year, while Savannah Guthrie urges “It is never too late to do the right thing” in an Instagram video [6].

Feb 10, 2026 – Pima County releases grainy Nest doorbell footage showing a ski‑masked man covering the camera, estimated at 5 ft 9‑10 in with an average build, wearing a black Ozark Trail backpack and an unusual waist holster [2].

Feb 13, 2026 – Police seize a gray Range Rover parked near the Guthrie home, tarp it before towing, and label it “Number One” lead, according to former FBI agent Jennifer Coffindaffer [5].

Feb 17, 2026 – DNA from gloves found two miles from Nancy Guthrie’s Tucson home enters CODIS and yields no matches, prompting investigators to turn to broader genealogy databases [6].

Feb 18, 2026 – Sheriff Chris Nanos confirms the glove DNA still lacks a CODIS hit and announces the department will submit the sample to investigative genetic‑genealogy services [1].

Feb 19, 2026 – The sheriff’s office officially adopts investigative genetic genealogy to analyze the glove DNA, citing successes such as the Golden State Killer and Kohberger cases [3].

Feb 20, 2026 – Law enforcement and a private donor each raise the reward for information to $100,000, and officials describe ransom notes as “uncertain in authenticity,” noting a separate false‑threat suspect [2].

Feb 21, 2026 – Coffindaffer reiterates that the seized Range Rover is the most significant piece of evidence, emphasizing that investigators preserve its interior for potential forensic material [5].

2026‑2027 (ongoing) – Investigators continue genetic‑genealogy analysis of the glove DNA, while DNA‑justice CEO CeCe Moore warns the Guthrie family’s request for broader database access will likely spark a “knock‑down, drag‑out fight” unless a warrant compels it [3].