The Pima County Sheriff's Department confirmed Monday that deputies from its Search & Rescue unit are responding to reports of human remains discovered in a desert area near West Ajo Way and South La Cholla Boulevard on Tucson's west side.
Preliminary finding not tied to high-profile missing-person probe
In a statement posted to X, the department said there is "no indication" the remains are connected to the ongoing investigation into the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie. The discovery has drawn heightened attention because Guthrie, a mother of television anchor Savannah Guthrie, has been missing for more than six months.
"PCSD Search & Rescue deputies are responding to reports of human remains found in a desert area near West Ajo Way and South La Cholla Boulevard," the department wrote, adding the remains "appear to have been at the location for an extended period of time."
Authorities did not release the identity of the deceased or a cause of death while the scene is processed and investigators work to determine further details. Pima County law enforcement personnel typically coordinate evidence collection with medical examiners and other agencies when remains are located outdoors.
Context: Guthrie case remains active
The discovery comes amid a widely followed investigation into the Feb. 1 abduction of Nancy Guthrie from her home. Investigators have said the case is "very active" and have released ransom-note text in an effort to identify the author. As of Monday, no suspect or person of interest had been publicly named in the Guthrie investigation.
Authorities and the Guthrie family have offered monetary rewards in hopes of generating new leads. Current public reward offers tied to information in the Guthrie case include:
| Source | Amount |
|---|---|
| Guthrie family | $1,000,000 |
| FBI | $100,000 |
| 88-CRIME | $102,500 |
What authorities are urging the public to do
- Contact the Pima County Sheriff's Department at 520-351-4900 with information related to the discovery or other investigations.
- Contact the FBI tip line at 1-800-CALL-FBI for leads regarding the Guthrie case.
- Avoid entering or disturbing potential evidence at remote locations and report suspicious findings to law enforcement.
Pima County Search & Rescue deputies were the first to respond to the scene and will typically secure the area while detectives, crime-scene technicians and the Pima County Office of the Medical Examiner carry out identification and cause-of-death procedures. Officials noted that the remains "appear to have been at the location for an extended period of time," which suggests additional forensic work will be necessary.
Local residents and visitors who frequent desert trails and open spaces are often reminded by authorities to report unusual items or remains immediately and to refrain from moving anything that could be relevant to an investigation. Discoveries of human remains in remote areas can present complex investigative and identification challenges, particularly when remains have been exposed to environmental conditions for long periods.
The Pima County Sheriff's Department did not provide a timeline for when investigators expect to release additional information. News outlets and local authorities will monitor updates from the sheriff's office, the medical examiner and federal partners as the inquiry progresses.
Anyone with information on the discovery or the unrelated Guthrie investigation is encouraged to contact the Pima County Sheriff's Department at 520-351-4900 or the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI.
