Authorities have identified the battered body of a woman found dead near a canal in Phoenix, confirming that it is not Nancy Guthrie. The remains were discovered on Friday, more than 100 miles from Tucson, where the 84-year-old mother of “Today” show star Savannah Guthrie was kidnapped five weeks ago.
The woman has been identified as Alex Fleming, 42, according to KTAR. Fleming’s body showed signs of trauma, and she was pronounced dead at the scene. Phoenix homicide detectives are investigating her death.
The grim discovery briefly raised questions about a possible connection to Nancy Guthrie’s kidnapping; however, the Pima County Sheriff’s Department, which is leading the search for Nancy, stated that they have not been informed of any links between the cases.
Guthrie has not been seen or heard from since she is believed to have been kidnapped from her home in the early hours of February 1.
As of now, 37 days later, no suspects have been identified, despite receiving tens of thousands of tips, doorbell footage showing a masked man on her front porch, and assistance from the FBI.
The slow pace of the investigation has frustrated Guthrie’s loved ones, who have offered a $1 million cash reward for information leading to her safe return or recovery.
A significant amount of evidence, including traces of blood, has been collected from Guthrie’s home. However, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos has warned that it could take up to a year to analyze all of it, particularly the evidence containing DNA.
Investigators are currently examining a damaged utility box near Guthrie’s home as part of the ongoing case. Several persons of interest were briefly detained during the extensive investigation but were released within hours. All of them have claimed that they had no involvement in the kidnapping.
A series of alleged ransom notes, reportedly sent by the kidnappers and demanding millions of dollars for Nancy’s return, all expired without any results after their deadlines passed.
The investigation remains active, with approximately 300 to 400 personnel still assigned to the case, the same number as when it was first initiated, according to the sheriff’s office. Last week, Nanos stated that investigators “are definitely closer” to finding Guthrie.
Investigators searching for answers in the disappearance of Guthrie are now asking neighbors whether they experienced internet disruptions on the night she vanished. Both the Pima County Sheriff’s Department and the FBI canvassed Guthrie’s neighborhood in the Catalina Foothills area of Tucson, Arizona, on Thursday, NBC News reported.
Agents went door to door speaking with residents and asking whether they noticed problems with their internet connections around the time Guthrie disappeared.
Several homeowners told NBC News that investigators specifically asked about any disruptions or glitches with their internet service that night.
According to those residents, agents said multiple people in the area had reported connectivity problems around the same timeframe.
The questions raised speculation that investigators may be examining whether the suspect used technology to interfere with security cameras or home networks during the abduction. Authorities have not confirmed that possibility.
Two homeowners said investigators also asked whether they had video footage from Jan. 11. Officials have not confirmed they are focusing on that date or explained why investigators are asking about it.
Three homeowners who spoke with NBC News said they were either asleep or not home during the time investigators believe Guthrie was abducted. They said they could not say whether their internet service experienced disruptions that night.
But one couple who lives adjacent to Guthrie’s home said they noticed an unusual problem with one of their security cameras. The couple said they have four Ring cameras positioned around their property. When they attempted to review footage from the overnight hours on the night of the disappearance, the camera closest to Guthrie’s home displayed a message reading “not available.”
Their other cameras, which are positioned farther away from the neighbor’s property, worked normally. The couple said they had never seen the message before and found the timing unusual.