Search Efforts for Missing Tucson Resident Continue Following Unverified Tip
Volunteers have resumed search operations near the U.S.-Mexico border in Nogales, Sonora, as they investigate an anonymous tip regarding the whereabouts of Nancy Guthrie, who has been missing since early 2026. While reports from local volunteer groups suggested a potential burial site in the Mariposa area, law enforcement agencies confirm that no evidence has been recovered to substantiate these claims, and the investigation into her disappearance remains active.
Status of the Investigation
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department, which is leading the investigation into the disappearance of the Tucson resident, stated that it is aware of the anonymous report transmitted to volunteer searchers in Mexico. However, the department clarified that it has not been contacted by Mexican authorities regarding the matter. “The investigation remains active and ongoing, and we will continue to follow up on any credible information,” the Sheriff’s Department noted in a statement released via social media platform X.

Volunteer Search Operations in Sonora
The search efforts in Mexico were spearheaded by Buscando Corazones, a local collective of volunteers dedicated to locating missing persons in the region. According to reporting from ABC News, the group received a tip identifying a specific waterway near the Mariposa Port of Entry as a potential site where the missing woman’s remains might be located. Despite conducting extensive sweeps of the area, the volunteers reported finding no evidence related to the case. During their operations, the group reportedly discovered over 25 unidentified graves, none of which were linked to the ongoing investigation.
Jurisdictional Challenges and Official Involvement
A primary factor in the complexity of this search is the jurisdictional boundary between the United States and Mexico. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agents have not been deployed to the site in Nogales, as the agency lacks legal jurisdiction to conduct independent searches on Mexican soil. Coordination between cross-border law enforcement typically requires formal requests through established diplomatic and legal channels, which have not been initiated in relation to this specific tip.
Background on the Case
Nancy Guthrie was reported missing from her residence in Tucson, Arizona, in February 2026. The case has garnered significant public attention due to the high-profile nature of the victim’s family, including her daughter, Savannah Guthrie, a host on NBC’s Today. The family continues to maintain a reward of $1 million for information leading to her location. Tucson, where the disappearance originated, is situated approximately 110 kilometers (roughly 70 miles) north of the Mariposa border zone where the volunteer search was concentrated.
Summary of Current Developments
- Missing Person: Nancy Guthrie, last seen at her Tucson home in February 2026.
- Search Status: Volunteer efforts in Nogales, Sonora, yielded no evidence of the missing woman.
- Official Stance: Pima County authorities have not received corroborating data from Mexican counterparts.
- Next Steps: The Pima County Sheriff’s Department continues to process incoming leads as part of its active missing person investigation.