Arrest near Savannah Guthrie’s mom Nancy Guthrie’s home adds twist to disappearance case

TUCSON, ARIZONA: The search for Nancy Guthrie, the missing mother of ‘Today’ show anchor Savannah Guthrie, remains active more than four months after her disappearance, as a separate kidnapping arrest near her Tucson-area home has drawn renewed public attention to the case.

On June 15, authorities arrested a 40-year-old woman in connection with an alleged kidnapping that reportedly took place in May, roughly seven miles from Nancy Guthrie’s home in the Catalina Foothills area.

While officials have stressed that the arrest is not connected to Nancy’s disappearance, the development has once again focused attention on the ongoing investigation into the whereabouts of the 84-year-old grandmother.

Authorities say recent kidnapping arrest is unrelated to Nancy Guthrie investigation

The woman arrested this week is facing kidnapping and aggravated assault charges and is being held on a $250,000 bond.

According to reports, she had allegedly gone on the run before being taken into custody on Monday.

A spokesperson for the Pima County Sheriff's Department confirmed that the case has no connection to the investigation involving Nancy Guthrie.

Nancy disappeared during the early hours of February 1 from her Tucson home. The night before, she had spent time with her daughter Annie Guthrie and son-in-law Tommaso Cioni.

Since then, investigators have worked through thousands of leads, but the case has produced very few breakthroughs.

One of the most significant developments came in February when doorbell camera footage was released showing a masked man approaching Nancy’s residence and attempting to dismantle the camera. The footage sparked widespread concern and added mystery to an already troubling case.

Despite months of investigation, authorities have not publicly announced any breakthrough regarding Nancy’s whereabouts.

Search efforts stretch beyond Arizona as investigators continue pursuing leads

The search for Nancy Guthrie has expanded far beyond her Tucson neighborhood.

Investigators and volunteers have continued exploring multiple avenues, including areas near the US-Mexico border.

Retired FBI Supervising Special Agent Steve Moore recently discussed the possibility of examining additional locations during an appearance on NewsNation.

Journalist Brian Entin asked Moore whether the nearby Tohono O'odham Nation Reservation should be considered as part of the investigation because of its size and proximity to Mexico.

"It's massive. It's right there between Tucson and Mexico. When I drove to Mexico, you drive through it. And it borders Mexico. Do you think that should be part of the investigation when it comes to Nancy Guthrie?" Entin asked.

Moore noted the challenges investigators could face in such a region.

"You could go miles without seeing any kind of residents, but at the same time, if anybody does see you and doesn't recognize you, you're going to stand out, especially if there are two or three of you – or a vehicle is going to be a big deal," he said.

Moore also explained that the FBI traditionally has a "delicate" relationship with tribal police and noted that federal authorities generally do not patrol the reservation in the same way they patrol other areas because of jurisdictional limitations.

Importantly, Moore did not suggest any connection between the reservation and Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance.

Anonymous tip leads Mexican search group to investigate possible burial site

The investigation recently took another turn when a volunteer organization in Mexico reported receiving an anonymous tip regarding Nancy Guthrie.

Buscando Corazones, a group that searches for missing persons, said it was contacted by an anonymous source who claimed Nancy’s remains could be located in the Mariposa area near the Arizona border.

According to the group, the caller directed them to search for a grave near a stream in an area where 25 unmarked graves had previously been discovered.

"We received an anonymous call telling us that the woman's remains were in the Mariposa area – in a grave over a stream," said group leader Ramona Guadalupe Ayala Ortiz.

Members of the organization searched but did not find any remains linked to Nancy Guthrie.

Despite the unsuccessful search, the group said it intends to continue looking for clues.

Pima County officials later stated they were aware of the anonymous tip.

However, authorities indicated they had not been contacted by Mexican officials regarding the information at that time.