Police responded Thursday to a desert area roughly 15 minutes east of Nancy’s Tucson residence after reports surfaced that bones had been found. The scene was quickly secured as investigators began examining the area, Parade reported.
Footage shared by reporter Michael Ruiz showed officers working behind police tape as speculation spread online that the remains could be tied to the high-profile case.
Tucson Police later confirmed the bones were human but determined they were not part of a criminal investigation. “The bone found near Craycroft and River was determined to be human,” the department said. “This will be a prehistoric anthropological investigation.”
Officials said the University of Arizona’s anthropology department and the Pima County Office of the Medical Examiner assisted in the assessment. Authorities emphasized the remains are believed to be ancient and unrelated to Nancy’s case.
Nancy, 84, the mother of Savannah Guthrie, has not been seen or heard from since January 31. Investigators believe she was abducted from her Tucson home in the early hours of February 1.
The case has drawn national attention as authorities continue to pursue multiple leads. Among them are blackmail messages sent to the family and media outlets demanding Bitcoin in exchange for her return.
Officials have said those messages have not been verified. Despite the family’s willingness to engage, no ransom was paid after requests for proof of life went unanswered.
Evidence recovered from Nancy’s home has added to the uncertainty surrounding the case. Investigators reported finding drops of blood on her front porch.
Her doorbell camera was also removed, with surveillance footage capturing a masked individual outside the home appearing to tamper with the device before it was taken.
Gloves were discovered nearby, though no arrests have been made, and only a limited number of individuals have been questioned.
The investigation remains active, with both local law enforcement and federal authorities involved. The FBI is offering a $50,000 reward for information that could lead to Nancy’s whereabouts.
Savannah Guthrie briefly stepped away from her role on the Today show during the early stages of the investigation but returned to air on April 6. “It’s good to be back home,” she said at the time.
Authorities continue to urge anyone with information to come forward as the search for Nancy moves forward, despite the latest development being ruled unrelated.
“Today” show co-host Savannah Guthrie abruptly left the set of the program on Wednesday, raising eyebrows as colleague and co-host Craig Melvin explained the incident to viewers. About 90 minutes into the show, Guthrie unexpectedly left the anchor desk during the live broadcast without any explanation.
“Savannah had to leave a little early. She’ll be right back tomorrow, though,” Melvin said of his co-host, who is still dealing with the February disappearance of her mother, Nancy Guthrie, from her home in Arizona.
Savannah has shared the emotional toll the situation has taken on her and her siblings, Camron and Annie Guthrie, during an interview with former Today co-anchor Hoda Kotb in March. “We are in agony. It is unbearable,” Savannah said, describing her mother as “our shining light” and “our matriarch.”
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos responded to reports last month suggesting a new person of interest had been detained in the disappearance of Nancy.
Speculation began circulating in media reports and online posts claiming a possible detention related to the case. However, Michael Ruiz reported on X that when asked about the claims, Nanos responded with one word: “Nope,” indicating no such development occurred.
