The Nancy Guthrie case took an unexpected turn earlier this month when skeletal remains were discovered near the 84-year-old’s Tucson-area home. However, authorities have now confirmed that the discovery was not related to the alleged kidnapping investigation.
Local YouTuber AJ Wysopal discovered the remains on May 7 while searching an area about five miles from “Today” host Savannah Guthrie’s home. Tucson police later determined the bones were human but quickly ruled out any connection to Guthrie’s disappearance.
“The bones found near Claycroft and the river were determined to be human. This will be a prehistoric anthropology investigation. The University of Arizona Department of Anthropology and the Pima County Medical Examiner’s Office are assisting. This is not a criminal investigation,” Tucson police told Fox News Digital.
University of Arizona anthropologist James T. Watson later revealed that the discovery was much more important than it seemed. The expert told Fox News that investigators found an entire skeleton, not a single bone. Based on evidence at the site, observers believe the remains belong to individuals buried hundreds of years ago, possibly as far back as 1,000 years ago.
“Whether it’s 1,000 years old or 50 years old, these are human remains,” Watson noted.
Watson added that ceramic artifacts found near the cemetery played a key role in helping experts identify the remains. The anthropologist explained that this person likely lived before written language existed in the area, which is why the remains are classified as prehistoric.
“All of this background evidence makes me very certain that this man is, in fact, Native American,” he said. “Ceramics really speaks to that.”
The remains have since been transferred to the Tohono Oldham Nation.
According to investigators, Guthrie was dropped off at a Tucson-area home on the night of Jan. 31 and she was reported missing the next day after failing to attend church. Authorities later released surveillance video showing a masked man at Guthrie’s front door, and several alleged ransom messages were sent to media organizations during the investigation.
One account reportedly claimed that Guthrie had been taken to Mexico, but investigators have not publicly confirmed those claims.
On Mother’s Day, Savannah Guthrie issued an emotional public appeal as the search entered its fourth month.
“Mother, daughter, sister, Noni – we miss you with every breath we take. We will never stop looking for you. We will never be at peace until you are found. We need help. Someone knows something that can make a difference. Please call 1800 CALLFBI. You can remain anonymous and the reward remains. Please continue to pray. Bring her home.”
The Guthrie family is currently offering a reward of more than $1 million for information leading to Nancy’s recovery.
Despite the lack of major public breakthroughs, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos insists investigators will continue to make progress.
“Right now, I think our focus is on the tips, clues and evidence that we have in front of us,” he said. “Digital – camera footage and biology and DNA and stuff like that.”
Nanos also expressed confidence that ongoing forensic testing will eventually provide answers.
“My team, I’ve always said, they’re going to fix this,” he added. “I believe that 100 percent.”
The sheriff acknowledged that investigators are still studying a large amount of evidence, including unidentified DNA samples.
“I know our DNA doesn’t know who the contributor or the depositor was, but I think they’re getting closer to finding out who it was,” Nanos told People. “When the lab tells us, ‘Hey, there’s nothing we can do,’ then maybe we have a problem… We have a cold case… but right now, the lab isn’t telling us that.”
“When the best minds in the country work on solving problems, I think they can solve them,” Nanos said. “It just takes a while.”
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