Bones found during the search for Nancy Guthrie. Are they hers? Here’s what officials say

Human bones found during the search for Nancy Guthrie raised immediate questions

Authorities searching for missing Nancy Guthrie made an unexpected discovery this week, but it does not appear to be connected to her disappearance.

Human bones were found in a wash near Guthrie’s home in Tucson, initially raising fears that investigators may have uncovered a major lead in the case. But after examining the remains, officials quickly determined the bones were not recent.

@ajwysopal is out searching for Nancy Guthrie right now and found what appears to be human remains 👀

I doubt they’re Nancy’s, looks like it’s been there a LONG time. But how amazing would it be if this brought another family closure? pic.twitter.com/9zV9lZpqCF

— True Crime Belieber (@TrueCrimeBelieb) May 7, 2026

According to authorities, the remains are believed to be at least 50 years old and possibly prehistoric, ruling out any link to Guthrie’s disappearance. The case has now been turned over for anthropological examination.

The discovery briefly intensified attention around the search for Guthrie, who vanished from her home earlier this year under suspicious circumstances. Her disappearance has remained one of the most closely watched missing-person investigations in the United States.

While the prehistoric remains offered no breakthrough in the case, the search for Guthrie continues as investigators pursue other leads.