The Pima County Sheriff’s Department updated the public after an anonymous tip prompted a search in Mexico near the border, while investigators in Arizona continue to follow leads in the missing-person case involving Nancy Guthrie.
For the Nancy Guthrie investigation, a new lead has crossed borders—then hit a familiar wall: investigators say they haven’t yet been contacted by Mexican authorities.
On Thursday, the Pima County Sheriff’s Department posted an update on X after an anonymous tip about the alleged location of Guthrie’s remains triggered a search in Mexico near the border.
“We are aware of reports regarding an anonymous tip related to the Nancy Guthrie investigation that was provided to a group in Mexico,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement on X. “At this time, we have not been contacted by Mexican authorities.”
The department added: “This investigation remains active and ongoing, and we will continue to follow up on any credible information.”
The update landed shortly after Ramona Guadalupe Ayala Ortiz, the head of Buscando Corazones Nogales, a group that assists in locating missing people in Mexico, said the organization received a tip Wednesday connected to Nancy Guthrie—84-year-old mother of “Today” anchor Savannah Guthrie.
Ayala Ortiz told El Imparcial that the group received an anonymous call saying Guthrie’s remains were in the “Mariposa area,” described as “in a grave over a stream.” She also said the tip suggested the woman had been buried in an unmarked grave near the border.
Buscando Corazones Nogales reportedly investigated the area it’s said contains previously found unmarked graves—25, according to Ayala Ortiz’s comments. But the search for Guthrie’s remains came up empty.
The lead arrives against a timeline that has already stretched across months. Nancy Guthrie was last seen on the evening of Jan. 31, when family dropped her off at her Tucson, Ariz. home following a dinner and a game night. By late-midday on Feb. 1. she was reported missing after she did not show up at a friend’s place to watch a virtual church service. Investigators later shared they believed Guthrie was taken against her will.
Investigators also pointed to security camera footage from Guthrie’s property. The camera had been disabled. but what remained showed images of a man in a ski mask. jacket. gloves and a backpack outside her home. FBI Phoenix later described the suspect as “a male, approximately 5’9” – 5’10” tall, with an average build.
Savannah Guthrie and her siblings have continued to make public pleas for Nancy Guthrie’s safe return. No one has been arrested or named a suspect in connection with her disappearance, despite multiple searches, analyzed DNA, alleged ransom notes, and other developments.
Even with the uncertainty, law enforcement has suggested it still feels momentum. In May, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos—who has faced intense public scrutiny as Guthrie remains missing after the assumed abduction—said he believed investigators were “getting closer” to answers.
“Everyday our DNA labs are working with our investigators and they’re coming up with different ideas and different thoughts of how to help them make this DNA work for us,” he told People last month. “How can we do more with what we have? And so that’s why I say it is — I think we’re getting closer.”
For now, the new Mexico tip has added urgency to the case, but also underscores the gap that families and investigators have been trying to close: a search can happen on the ground, yet the formal coordination needed to confirm what it finds—if anything—has not yet come through Mexican authorities.
Nancy Guthrie Savannah Guthrie Pima County Sheriff’s Department Buscando Corazones Nogales Mexico search anonymous tip Mariposa area Tucson missing person
So they found nothing in Mexico and that’s it? smh.
They keep saying “anonymous tip” like that helps. If they’re not even contacted by Mexico authorities then how do they expect to find her??
Mariposa area? Over a stream in a grave? Sounds like people are just throwing out spooky stuff. Also I don’t get why Pima County can’t just go talk to Mexico themselves, like call the cops over there.
Anonymous tip to a group in Mexico and then “we haven’t been contacted”?? That’s crazy to me. Meanwhile it’s been months, like how is the trail so weak. And unmarked graves already found… maybe it’s the same spot they checked before? I just feel bad for Savannah and her family.