Nancy Guthrie Case Update: Body Found in Scottsdale Finally Identified — But Questions Remain

On March 28, the body of a woman was found in a canal in Scottsdale, Arizona. Considering Scottsdale’s proximity to Catalina Foothills, many questioned whether the discovery was connected to Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance.

Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of Today host Savannah Guthrie, went missing from her Catalina Foothills home on February 1. Since the, police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) have probed the case, but have not arrested a suspect.

When news broke that a woman’s body was found in a canal, some feared the worst for Nancy Guthrie. The Scottsdale Police Department (SPD) has now announced that the body found is not related to Guthrie in any way. Police released a statement on social media, confirming the identity of the dead woman as 28-year-old Passion Schurz.

Schurz was last seen near Jackrabbit and Dobson roads on March 22, after which she was reported missing. Detectives took into consideration clothing description, tattoos, and physical characteristics to identify the deceased.

“Working with the Maricopa County Medical Examiner, Scottsdale detectives have made an initial identification of the woman found dead in a Scottsdale canal on March 28, " SPD said.

"The woman has been identified as 28-year-old Passion Schurz, who was reported missing from the Salt River-Pima Maricopa Indian Community on March 22," SPD added.

The cause of Schurz’s death has not been determined, and police said it might take weeks to obtain the full autopsy report.

“We can confirm that there were no injuries related to fractures, stab wounds, or gunshot wounds. The medical examiner is still determining the official cause of death. We’re being told the full report, including toxicology, won’t be ready for several more weeks,” SPD said.

Authorities said the investigation is ongoing and urged the public to share any information related to the case. “We extend our most heartfelt condolences to her family, friends, and community during this difficult time. Anyone with additional information is urged to call the Scottsdale Police Department at 480-312-5000," police said.

The investigation into Nnacy Guthrie's disappearance is nearing the two-month mark. The Pima County Sheriff’s Department and the FBI have collected thousands of clues from her neighborhood, including surveillance camera footage and DNA samples. However, the clues have not led to any breakthrough.

The family is offering a $1 million reward to anyone who comes up with information about her whereabouts. Savannah Guthrie recently appeared for her first interview since her mother's disappearance on Today, and said her family is in agony.

“Someone needs to do the right thing. We are in agony. It is unbearable. And to think of what she went through. I wake up every night in the middle of the night, every night. And in the darkness, I imagine her terror,” Savannah Guthrie said in a conversation with Hoda Kotb.