Human Remains Found Near Tucson Not Linked to Nancy Guthrie Case, Sheriff Says
Human remains have been located in a desert area near West Ajo Way and South La Cholla Boulevard, roughly 15 miles from the home of Nancy Guthrie, according to the Pima County Sheriff's Department.
Officials said there is no indication “at this time” that the remains — which appear to have been there for a considerable period — are tied to the Guthrie investigation. The sheriff's office declined to answer specific questions about who discovered the remains or when, and why investigators see no immediate link to Guthrie's case.
A senior law enforcement official briefed on the matter told CNN that authorities do not currently believe the remains are connected to Guthrie's disappearance. The FBI has deferred questions to the Pima County Sheriff's Department.
CNN Chief Law Enforcement and Intelligence Analyst John Miller noted that the cautious wording matters. “Saying they don't believe there's a connection and officially ruling one out are two different things. The first requires an investigative judgment based on what they see, but the second requires actual scientific evidence,” Miller said.
The condition of the remains could complicate that evidence. Miller explained that if a full set of remains is recovered, a forensic pathologist may be able to determine fairly quickly whether they are male or female. But that task becomes harder if the remains are incomplete or badly degraded. Environmental factors — extreme heat, prolonged direct sunlight, and animal activity — can all play a role.
“Authorities understand that ruling out a connection before they are certain would only draw more criticism to a case where they have already heard their share,” Miller added.
On Monday, deputies were seen on a hillside dotted with saguaro cacti overlooking a busy four-lane highway in southwest Tucson. At least three sheriff's vehicles were parked at the top of a residential driveway. The road leading up the hill was marked with a wooden sign reading “private drive,” and deputies were observed hiking into the hills north of the homes.
The discovery comes as the search for Nancy Guthrie continues to draw national attention. Guthrie, 84, is the mother of NBC “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie. She vanished from her Tucson-area home in the Catalina Foothills on February 1, and was last seen the day before. Investigators believe she was kidnapped without her phone or critical medications, and no clear motive has emerged.
In July, nearly six months after her disappearance, officials released the full contents of a ransom note and a follow-up letter claiming Guthrie had died, in hopes of generating new leads. Investigators have also been conducting lab analysis on DNA found inside her home.
Savannah Guthrie has continued to appeal for information on social media, and the family has offered a $1 million reward for anyone who can help locate her mother or provide information leading to her recovery.
This story has been updated with additional information.