Woman's Body Found Near Phoenix Canal Raises Questions in Nancy Guthrie Search

The remains were discovered over 100 miles from where the 84-year-old Arizona woman went missing in February.

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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A woman's body was found near a canal in Phoenix, prompting speculation about a possible connection to the disappearance of 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie, who went missing from her home near Tucson on February 1. However, authorities have not confirmed any link between the two cases.

Why it matters

The discovery of the unidentified woman's body has raised hopes that it could provide clues about Guthrie's whereabouts, but officials have cautioned that there is no known connection between the two cases at this time. The slow pace of the Guthrie investigation has frustrated her family, including her daughter Savannah Guthrie, the host of the 'Today' show, who has offered a $1 million reward.

The details

Phoenix police found the unresponsive woman's body on Friday alongside a canal, more than 110 miles from where Guthrie was last seen at her home near Tucson. Authorities have not released any identifying information about the deceased woman. The Pima County Sheriff's Department stated they have not been alerted to any connection between the two cases.

  • Nancy Guthrie was last seen at her home near Tucson on January 31.
  • The unidentified woman's body was found on March 6 near a canal in Phoenix.

The players

Nancy Guthrie

An 84-year-old Arizona woman who went missing from her home near Tucson on February 1.

Savannah Guthrie

The daughter of Nancy Guthrie and host of the 'Today' show, who has offered a $1 million reward for information leading to her mother's safe return or recovery.

Chris Nanos

The Pima County Sheriff who warned the investigation into Nancy Guthrie's disappearance could take up to a year to fully analyze the evidence.

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What’s next

The Pima County Sheriff's Department stated the investigation into Nancy Guthrie's disappearance remains active, with 300-400 personnel still assigned to the case.

The takeaway

The discovery of the unidentified woman's body in Phoenix has raised hopes of a potential break in the Nancy Guthrie case, but authorities have cautioned that there is no known connection between the two incidents at this time. The slow pace of the Guthrie investigation has been frustrating for her family, who are desperate for answers about her whereabouts.