Human remains found in Arizona not linked to Nancy Guthrie case, authorities say

The discovery of human remains in a desert area southwest of Tucson briefly raised new fears for residents following the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, but the Pima County Sheriff’s Department said there is currently no indication the remains are connected to her case. Deputies responded Monday, Aug. 17, to reports near West Ajo Way and South La Cholla Boulevard, about 15 miles from Guthrie’s home in the Catalina Foothills. Officials said the remains appeared to have been at the location for an extended period. The department said it would provide more information as it becomes available, but it did not identify who found the remains, when they were discovered or why investigators do not see an immediate connection.

Deputies were seen in a rugged area on a hillside covered with saguaro cacti and overlooking a busy four lane highway. The location sits near the edge of Tucson’s city limits, where a turn from Ajo Way leads to several homes with long driveways. At least three sheriff’s vehicles were parked near the top of a driveway marked by a private drive sign, and deputies were seen hiking into the hills. There did not appear to be a large law enforcement operation at the scene. The area’s heat, direct sunlight and possible animal activity could affect the condition of the remains and the speed at which investigators can determine their identity.

A senior law enforcement official briefed on the Guthrie investigation also told CNN that authorities do not believe the remains are connected to her disappearance. That assessment is different from formally ruling out the connection, according to CNN law enforcement analyst John Miller. A definitive conclusion would require scientific evidence, including forensic examination. If investigators recover a complete set of remains, a forensic pathologist may be able to determine relatively quickly whether the person was male or female. That process can be more difficult when the remains are incomplete or badly affected by environmental conditions.

Guthrie, 84, was last seen late on Jan. 31 after her son in law dropped her off at her home following a family dinner nearby. Authorities say she entered her garage at about 9:48 p.m. Her family reported her missing around midday on Feb. 1, after she failed to attend church. Guthrie was without her phone and critical medications, and investigators have treated the disappearance as a suspected kidnapping. The Sheriff’s Department designated her property as a crime scene after finding evidence that she had not left voluntarily. Investigators have not publicly identified a leading motive or theory.

The case has generated an unusually large response in Tucson because Guthrie is the mother of Savannah Guthrie, the NBC Today show host. The investigation intensified during its first weeks as authorities examined the home, towed Guthrie’s blue SUV and searched parts of the property, including what appeared to be a manhole or access point to a drainage or septic system. Blood droplets found on the front steps were later confirmed to match Nancy Guthrie’s DNA. Investigators also released doorbell camera images showing an armed and masked person apparently tampering with the camera on the morning she disappeared. Authorities described that person as a man about 5 feet 9 inches to 5 feet 10 inches tall, with an average build.

The family has continued to appeal publicly for information. Savannah Guthrie and her siblings, Annie Guthrie and Camron Guthrie, addressed the person believed to be behind ransom communications, saying they were willing to talk and pay for their mother’s release. The family has offered $1 million for information that leads to Guthrie’s recovery. That reward is in addition to $100,000 offered by the FBI and $102,500 from Tucson’s 88 CRIME program. Neighbors have maintained a memorial outside Guthrie’s home with flowers, yellow ribbons and other items. About 400 people attended a vigil at St. Philip’s in the Hills Episcopal Church in February, placing prayer candles on the altar.

The ransom communications remain an important part of the investigation. A note sent to Tucson television station KOLD shortly after Guthrie was reported missing demanded payment for her safe return and included details about the home and what she was wearing. A second communication, sent several days later, claimed that Guthrie had died. On July 31, nearly six months after her disappearance, the Sheriff’s Department released the full contents of both messages in an effort to generate new leads. Investigators said the wording, sentence structure and phrasing could provide insight into the writer’s language patterns, mindset, motives and changing tone. Laboratory analysis of DNA recovered at Guthrie’s home has also continued.

The remains found near Ajo Way and La Cholla Boulevard do not, by themselves, change the public status of the Guthrie investigation. The Sheriff’s Department has not announced an identification or provided details about the circumstances surrounding the discovery. The FBI referred questions about the remains to the county department. For people following the case, the distinction between an investigative judgment and a scientific finding is significant. Authorities are signaling that they see no present link, while the identity and cause of death of the person found in the desert still require official examination. Meanwhile, Guthrie remains missing, and investigators continue seeking information through the public tip process and the rewards offered by her family and law enforcement.