A fresh wave of urgency swept through the search for Nancy Guthrie this week after reports emerged that human bones had been discovered near the missing grandmother’s Arizona home, only for investigators to quickly confirm the remains are not linked to the case.
Police were called to a desert area around 15 minutes east of Nancy’s Tucson residence on Thursday after a streamer covering the disappearance claimed to have found bones in the region. The discovery prompted a swift response from authorities, with the site cordoned off and investigators seen combing the area.
Fox News reporter Michael Ruiz, who was on the ground as the search unfolded, shared footage of officers working behind police tape as speculation mounted online that the remains could be connected to the high-profile case.
However, Tucson Police were quick to shut down those fears. In a statement, the department confirmed: “The bone found near Craycroft and River was determined to be human. This will be a prehistoric anthropological investigation. The University of Arizona’s Anthropology Department and the Pima County Office of the Medical Examiner assisted. This is not a criminal investigation.”
The clarification means the remains are believed to be ancient and entirely unrelated to the disappearance of Nancy, 84, the mother of Today show host Savannah Guthrie.
© Getty ImagesNancy has not been seen or heard from since the evening of January 31, with police believing she was abducted from her Tucson home in the early hours of February 1. Her baffling disappearance has since gripped the public, with a complex investigation involving local law enforcement and the FBI still ongoing.
Detectives have been working through a series of disturbing leads, including blackmail messages sent to the family and media outlets demanding Bitcoin in exchange for Nancy’s return. Despite the family’s willingness to engage, no ransom was paid after requests for proof of life went unanswered.
© Getty ImagesAuthorities have been unable to verify the authenticity of the messages, leaving investigators with more questions than answers as the case continues to unfold.
Several pieces of evidence recovered from Nancy’s home have only deepened the mystery. Drops of blood were found on her front porch, while her doorbell camera had been forcibly removed. Surveillance footage captured a masked individual outside the property appearing to tamper with the device before it was taken.
Gloves were also discovered nearby, though no arrests have been made and only a small number of individuals have been questioned so far.
The case has remained firmly in the spotlight, not least because of Nancy’s daughter Savannah, who has been balancing the search for answers with her return to the Today show.
After stepping away from the programme during the early stages of the investigation, Savannah returned to air on April 6, telling viewers: “It’s good to be back home.”
In recent weeks, the presenter has also been forced to contend with misinformation spreading online. A rumour that she abruptly left a live segment mid-interview gained traction on social media, with some speculating it was linked to developments in the case. The claims were quickly debunked after Savannah reappeared on air shortly afterwards.
As the investigation presses on, the FBI is continuing to offer a $50,000 reward for information that could lead to Nancy’s whereabouts.
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