Woman arrested near Nancy Guthrie’s Arizona home as investigators continue search

Authorities have arrested a woman wanted in a separate kidnapping case near the Arizona home of missing Nancy Guthrie, prompting renewed attention to the ongoing search for the mother of Today co-anchor Savannah Guthrie.

Coral Michelle Smith, 40, had been on the run before being apprehended by authorities. Smith was wanted by the Pima County Sheriff’s Department in connection with a kidnapping and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon case stemming from an incident that took place on May 29, 2026, roughly seven miles from Guthrie’s home.

However, a spokesperson for the Pima County Sheriff’s Department confirmed that Smith’s case is not connected to the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, who was forcibly taken from her residence sometime between the night of January 31, 2026, and the morning of February 1, 2026.

Despite the lack of a direct connection, retired homicide detective Chris McDonough said investigators would likely examine Smith and determine whether she has any links to other violent offenders operating in the area.

“In any major missing person or abduction-type of investigation, the investigators are going to cast a wide net,” McDonough said on Jesse Weber Live. He added that authorities would be particularly interested in individuals with a history of violent kidnappings.

The latest development comes as officials continue exploring new leads in the months-long investigation. Retired Pima County SWAT commander Bob Krieger recently suggested that investigators could expand their search to the nearby Tohono O’odham Nation Reservation, which spans 72 miles of the U.S.-Mexico border.

“Is it practical or probable? I would say yes,” Krieger said during an appearance on Brian Entin Investigates. He added that if Nancy Guthrie had been taken into Mexico, the reservation would have been a likely route.

The comments follow an anonymous tip received by Mexican missing persons organisation Buscando Corazones Nogales, which claimed that Guthrie’s remains were buried in an unmarked grave near the Mariposa area along the border. The group’s leader told El Imparcial that volunteers returned to search a stream they had not previously explored after receiving the information.

On June 11, 2026, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos acknowledged the reports and said authorities were aware of the tip, but noted that Mexican officials had not contacted his department.

“This investigation remains active and ongoing, and we will continue to follow up on any credible information,” Nanos wrote in a statement shared on X.

Nancy Guthrie's disappearance remains unsolved, and no suspect has been publicly identified. While Smith's arrest has no known connection to the case, investigators continue to pursue every lead in hopes of finding answers.