Volunteers searched near Nogales, Sonora, after an anonymous message claimed the missing Arizona woman was buried there.
TUCSON, Ariz. — Search teams in northern Mexico conducted a new search for Nancy Guthrie after an anonymous tip claimed the missing 84-year-old Arizona woman’s remains had been buried in an unmarked grave near Nogales, Sonora. The effort ended without a confirmed discovery, leaving investigators with another lead in a case that has remained unresolved for more than four months.
Authorities and volunteer search groups say the latest development has brought renewed attention to a disappearance that began Feb. 1, when Guthrie vanished from her home in the Catalina Foothills area north of Tucson. Investigators have said evidence at the residence suggested she was likely taken against her will. The cross-border search has expanded the geographic scope of the investigation, but officials caution that the Mexico lead remains unverified and no remains identified as Guthrie have been recovered.
The latest search was organized after Buscando Corazones Nogales, a volunteer group that searches for missing people and clandestine graves in Sonora, received an anonymous message identifying a location in the Mariposa area west of Nogales. According to the group, the message claimed Guthrie had been buried near a stream in rugged terrain close to the U.S.-Mexico border. Search volunteers traveled to the area and conducted field searches alongside local personnel familiar with the region. Ramona Guadalupe Ayala Ortiz, who leads the volunteer organization, said the information directed searchers to a specific area where hidden graves have been discovered in previous operations. The search did not locate Guthrie or produce publicly announced evidence linking the site to her disappearance. A second anonymous message later repeated the same allegation, prompting additional attention from volunteers and authorities reviewing the information.
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department said investigators were aware of the reports emerging from Sonora but had not received confirmation from Mexican authorities that any discovery had been made. Sheriff Chris Nanos said detectives continue to evaluate tips while forensic work remains underway. “We are not going to arrest the wrong person,” Nanos said while discussing the pace of the investigation. Officials have not identified a suspect and have not announced any arrests. Authorities also have not disclosed whether the anonymous Mexico messages are connected to earlier reports suggesting Guthrie may have been transported across the border after her disappearance. The FBI remains involved in the investigation, which authorities have described as both a missing-person case and a possible kidnapping. Investigators have repeatedly emphasized that many leads have been received, but none has produced a public breakthrough.
Guthrie disappeared Feb. 1 after relatives and associates became concerned when they could not reach her as expected. She lived alone in the Catalina Foothills community, an area known for large residential properties north of Tucson. Investigators later reported signs of a struggle inside the home and said blood was discovered at the scene. Authorities have not publicly identified whose blood was found or released forensic findings tied to it. Doorbell camera footage released during the investigation showed a masked individual near the property. Investigators said the person appeared to be wearing gloves, carrying a backpack and attempting to interfere with the camera. The circumstances surrounding the scene, combined with Guthrie’s age and medical needs, led authorities to conclude early in the investigation that she had likely been abducted rather than leaving voluntarily.
The case has drawn widespread public attention because Guthrie is the mother of Today co-anchor Savannah Guthrie. Investigators, however, have repeatedly stated that family members are not considered suspects and have focused their efforts on identifying whoever may have entered the home. Search efforts initially concentrated on the Tucson region, including desert areas and remote terrain surrounding the city. As the investigation continued, authorities pursued leads extending into Sonora. One highly publicized discovery occurred in May when a human bone was found several miles from Guthrie’s residence. Subsequent examination determined the bone was unrelated to the disappearance and instead belonged to a prehistoric anthropological context. The finding underscored the challenges investigators face in a region where remote landscapes can produce misleading clues and where evidence often requires extensive scientific analysis before conclusions can be reached.
Investigators continue to move through a combination of forensic testing, witness interviews and tip reviews while coordinating with agencies on both sides of the border. The FBI increased its reward offer earlier in the investigation, and the Guthrie family later announced a $1 million reward for information leading either to her return or to the arrest of those responsible. Despite the large reward and extensive publicity, officials have not announced charges, scheduled court proceedings or identified a person of interest publicly. The latest Mexico lead is expected to remain under review while authorities compare information from the anonymous messages with physical evidence and the known timeline of events surrounding Guthrie’s disappearance. Investigators have not provided a timetable for laboratory results or future public updates.
Volunteers who participated in the Sonora search described the area as difficult terrain marked by washes, brush and rough access roads. Search groups operating in the region frequently investigate reports of clandestine graves because families of missing people often seek answers in isolated border areas. Volunteers said each new tip requires careful examination before conclusions can be drawn. Family members have continued to keep the case in the public eye while avoiding claims that extend beyond confirmed investigative findings. Savannah Guthrie has expressed hope that answers will emerge and has emphasized the family’s desire to learn what happened. Search organizations in Sonora say they intend to continue evaluating information they receive and will revisit locations when conditions, security concerns and available resources allow additional searches.
As of June 15, authorities had not located Nancy Guthrie, identified a suspect or announced an arrest. The anonymous Mexico tip remains an unproven lead, and investigators say future developments will depend on additional searches, forensic testing and the verification of evidence connected to the case.
Author note: Last updated June 15, 2026.