Anonymous Tip Sparks Mexico Search in Nancy Guthrie Case

Five months into one of the most high-profile missing persons cases in recent memory, a new development has emerged—and it’s coming from south of the border. An anonymous tip led volunteer searchers to a remote area near the U.S.-Mexico border on Wednesday, where they uncovered 25 unmarked graves. Nancy Guthrie, the mother of Today host Savannah Guthrie, vanished from her home just outside Tucson, Arizona, in the early hours of February 1. She has yet to be found.

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos acknowledged the search in a statement released Thursday, June 11, saying his department is aware of reports regarding the anonymous tip that was passed to Buscando Corazones Nogales, a volunteer search group in Mexico. The group received assistance from the Sonora State Commission for the Search of Missing Persons during the search operation. However, Nanos made clear that there was no sign of Guthrie at the site, and notably, his office has not yet been contacted by Mexican authorities about the discovery.

What makes this case particularly challenging—and what Nanos emphasized in recent interviews—is the lack of substantial DNA evidence. In a June 1 interview with local outlet KOLD News 13, the sheriff explained that these investigations require far more than a simple detective interview leading to an arrest. The reliance on lab work and the need to preserve the integrity of DNA evidence as a law enforcement tool means these cases can stretch on indefinitely. It’s a delicate balance between urgency and precision that the public often doesn’t see.

The Guthrie family hasn’t stopped fighting. They’ve offered a $1 million reward for information leading to Nancy’s safe return, supplemented by an FBI reward of $202,500. On Sunday, June 7, Savannah shared a religious image on her Instagram Story—a painting of Christ’s ascension—along with a heartfelt plea:“Oh my, my soul, it cries out, soul, it cries out. Bring her home.”

The investigation remains active and ongoing, according to Sheriff Nanos, as authorities continue to follow up on any credible leads. For Savannah and her family, that ongoing work is the only path forward.