Sheriff offers rare update after ‘human bones’ discovery

Nearly 100 days after Savannah Guthrie‘s mother Nancy was kidnapped from her Arizona home, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos, who is leading the investigation, has said he believes they are close to solving the case.

When asked outside the sheriff’s office if investigators are closer to solving the case, nearly 100 days in, Nanos told Fox News Digital: “We are.”

He also called developments “really great” as he got into his white Corvette, although the video posted by the publication revealed that he would not elaborate.

Human bones discovery

Nanos and the sheriff’s department have come under scrutiny and criticism in recent weeks, as they have failed to find hard evidence or close in on any suspects.

This week, 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.

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“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,” Tucson Police shared.

What happened to Nancy Guthrie?

The 84-year-old was last seen on the evening of January 31, when she was dropped off at her home in Tucson, Arizona by her daughter Annie and son-in-law Tommaso.

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In February, Nest camera footage was released that showed a masked individual approaching Nancy’s door around 2am with a gun tucked into his pants, before he was seen attempting to disable the camera.

When Nancy did not show up to her church service on February 1, friends raised the alarm, and her daughter Annie, unable to reach her mother, went to the house herself and discovered signs of a struggle; blood was found at the scene, and the home security system was disabled.

No suspect has been publicly identified, and no clear sequence of events has been confirmed.

Savannah took two months off from her job at TheToday Showbut has since returned.

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Sheriff’s statement

In a statement shared with HELLO!, a spokesperson for the department said: “The Pima County Sheriff’s Department remains fully committed to the investigation into Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance.”

“This is an active and ongoing investigation, and we continue to work closely with our partners at the FBI,” it added, emphasizing the current focus on DNA and analysis of footage. “DNA and video analysis are underway, supported by laboratories across the country. Advances in technology are aiding investigative efforts, and tips continue to be received and reviewed.”

They also reiterated the call for further information from the public, especially in the form of tips, which have now gone into the thousands. “We appreciate those who have come forward and urge anyone with credible, actionable information to contact investigators. Even small details may be significant.”

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Fake calls

In the days after Nancy’s disappearance on February 1, 2026, Savannah and her family received fake ransom notes, and a trial date has now been set for Derrick Callella, 42, who stands accused of sending letters, as well as making a nine-second phone call to a family member.

In the early days of the case, ransom notes demanding millions in Bitcoin were received by TMZ, and other news publications. 

The FBI investigated them all but has not confirmed any as authentic, although several noted private details about an Apple Watch and a floodlight at the property.