The search for Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of Today show host Savannah Guthrie, has intensified after an anonymous caller claimed her remains are buried near the U.S.-Mexico border. The tip was received by Buscando Corazones Nogales, a Mexican group dedicated to locating missing individuals.
Anonymous Tip Details
Ramona Guadalupe Ayala Ortiz, head of Buscando Corazones Nogales, told Mexican outlet El Imparcial that the anonymous tipster alleged Nancy's remains could be found near a stream in Mariposa, west of Nogales, close to the Arizona border. The caller described "the woman's remains were in the Mariposa area in a grave over a stream." Ortiz noted that the group had "failed to explore" that area during its initial intervention.
The group began searching around the stream on May 16 but found nothing. A second call with additional information prompted a follow-up search starting June 10. In a previous search from April to May, volunteers discovered over 25 unmarked graves containing remains of at least 32 individuals in the same area. The organization told People they received the tip last month and will "continue searching."
Pima County Sheriff's Office Responds
On June 11, 2026, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos issued a statement on X confirming the agency is aware of the anonymous tip. "At this time, we have not been contacted by Mexican authorities," the statement read. "This investigation remains active and ongoing, and we will continue to follow up on any credible information."
Arrest Made Near Guthrie's Home
The Pima County Sheriff's Department also announced an arrest near Nancy Guthrie's home on June 11, 2026. Deputies arrested 54-year-old Alexander Zabel Jr. in front of the residence after receiving several complaints about his behavior. Zabel was live streaming from outside the home when deputies made contact. During the arrest, a sergeant was knocked to the ground, but Zabel was taken into custody without further incident. He faces charges of resisting arrest and public nuisance.
Background on Disappearance
Nancy Guthrie has been missing for over 100 days. She was last seen on January 31, 2026, after being dropped off by family members at her Tucson home. She is believed to have been taken against her will hours later, on February 1. The FBI later released surveillance videos showing a masked man on her porch the night she vanished.
Since her disappearance, Nancy's children—Savannah, Annie, and Camron—have posted multiple videos on social media and offered a $1 million reward for information leading to her recovery. In her first interview after the disappearance, Savannah said, "Someone needs to do the right thing. We are in agony. It is unbearable." She added, "I wake up every night in the middle of the night. Every night. And in the darkness, I imagine her terror. And it is unthinkable."
