Fact Check: Reports of Nancy Guthrie’s Body Found in Arizona Pond Examined

The search for Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of “Today” show co-host Savannah Guthrie, continues amid false social media claims regarding her whereabouts. Local authorities have firmly refuted viral videos claiming her body was discovered in a pond.

Nancy Guthrie has been missing for over three weeks, last seen at her home in the Catalina Foothills neighborhood of Tucson, Arizona, on January 31. Her disappearance has prompted a large-scale search operation involving both the Pima County Sheriff’s Department and the FBI, reflecting the high-profile nature of the case and the increasing concern as time passes.

In recent days, several TikTok videos have gained traction with claims that Nancy’s body had been found. Two videos in particular, posted by users aaayyyllll2 and news.crime.tv2, have each garnered more than 11,000 views. These posts alleged that police received reports of a body floating in an abandoned pond near Sabino Canyon on Saturday, just two miles from Guthrie’s residential community.

The videos went into elaborate detail, claiming that police discovered unusual footprint patterns near the water’s edge, showing “signs of struggle and forceful movement.” They further alleged that the body’s decomposition suggested it had been in the water for over a week and that officials were conducting additional examinations.

However, the Pima County Sheriff’s Department has categorically denied these claims. A spokesperson told Newsweek, “That video is not accurate. It was not taken in our jurisdiction and the officers shown are not Pima county deputies.” This statement directly contradicts the viral videos’ assertions and confirms they contain misleading information.

The department also noted that several hundred law enforcement personnel remain dedicated to Nancy’s case, underscoring the ongoing nature of the investigation. “This will remain an active investigation until Nancy Guthrie is found or all leads are exhausted,” the Sheriff’s Department stated in their most recent official update on Saturday.

In their Saturday report, authorities made no mention of discovering a body, further contradicting the viral claims. The factual inaccuracies extend to geographical details as well. While the TikTok videos claimed the alleged pond was just two miles from the Catalina Foothills, Sabino Canyon is actually located 7.9 miles away according to Google Maps, highlighting the questionable nature of these reports.

The investigation into Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance continues to progress methodically. Evidence collected from the crime scene and search warrant locations has been submitted for laboratory analysis. Experts are currently processing this evidence, though authorities acknowledge there can be challenges in separating DNA samples.

As part of their ongoing efforts, detectives and agents canvassed Nancy’s neighborhood on Saturday, seeking any information that might help locate the missing woman. Such door-to-door canvassing is a standard investigative technique in missing persons cases, especially when significant time has passed without substantial leads.

The case has drawn national attention, partly due to Savannah Guthrie’s public profile as a co-host of NBC’s “Today” show. Missing elderly persons cases are particularly concerning for law enforcement, as older individuals can be especially vulnerable if disoriented or experiencing medical issues.

False information spreading on social media platforms during high-profile cases has become an increasing challenge for investigators. Such misinformation can divert resources, create confusion among the public, and cause additional distress to families of missing persons.

The Pima County Sheriff’s Department continues to ask anyone with information regarding Nancy Guthrie’s whereabouts to come forward as the search enters its fourth week.