Woman found dead near Phoenix canal sparks possible connection to Nancy Guthrie disappearance

PHOENIX, ARIZONA: A dead body of a woman was reportedly found along a canal in Phoenix, sparking speculation about a possible connection to the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie.

The 84-year-old mother of Savannah Guthrie was reported missing on February 1 and since then there has been little information about her whereabouts despite federal as well as local agencies working on the case. She reportedly disappeared from her home in Tucson, Arizona, which is around 100 miles away from Phoenix.

Adult female found unresponsive near canal

Reports said the unidentified body was found on Friday, March 6. 

A statement released by the police read, “Details on the call indicated that an adult female was on the nearby canal bank and was unresponsive. When officers arrived, they located the woman, who was ultimately pronounced deceased on scene.”

Pima County Sheriff’s Department says no link between dead body and Nancy's case

However, the identity and further details into the finding have yet to be discovered. Also, as per the Pima County Sheriff’s Department, which is working on Nancy’s case, “it has not been advised of any law enforcement activity at the canal in Phoenix this morning being connected to the Nancy Guthrie case.”

With no concrete development in the case so far, Nancy’s family has been left frustrated and devastated. Her journalist daughter has even announced a $1 million cash reward for information leading to her safe return or recovery.

In a video message, she even told the alleged kidnapper that “we beg you now to return our mother to us so that we can celebrate with her. This is the only way we will have peace. This is very valuable to us, and we will pay."

Savannah Guthrie thanks colleagues during recent visit to Today studio

Meanwhile, more than a month after her mother’s disappearance, Savannah visited the studio of the Today show to meet her colleagues and crew members.

In a statement, the show said, “Savannah Guthrie stopped by the studio this morning to be with and thank her TODAY colleagues. While she plans to return to the show on air, she remains focused right now supporting her family and working to help bring Nancy home.”

Regarding Savannah’s return to work, a source told CNN’s Brian Stelter that she has “every intention of coming back. I don’t know how to come back, but I don’t know how not to. You’re my family. And, I would like to try.”

Also, Sheinelle Jones said of the broadcaster that she’s “proud of Savannah, and I’m rooting for Savannah, and I know the strength that it would take to even just come in here and to be amongst all of us.”