Nancy Guthrie dead? Authorities clear the air as they reveal identity of woman’s body found in Arizona canal; details inside

Nancy Guthrie Disappearance Case Update: An update has emerged linked to a woman's body in a canal at Indian Bend and Hayden Roads in Scottsdale, Arizona, on March 28, 2026. Authorities have identified the woman as Passion Schurz, 28, the Scottsdale Police Department said in a press release. She was reported from the Salt River-Pima-Maricopa Indian Community on March 22.

An investigation was launched after the woman’s body was discovered and people were reportedly linking it to the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie. The 84-year-old woman is the mother of NBC's "Today" show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie. She was last seen by family members on January 31, 2026, after spending the evening at the Tucson home of her older daughter, Annie Guthrie, ‌and son-in-law. She was reported missing by her family on February 1, 2026.

Following the initial press conference of the Scottsdale Police Department after the body was found but was not identified, many people raised questions about whether this discovery was related to the Nancy Guthrie case, according to Parade.


Initially, a positive I.D. was not available, but authorities quickly cleared the air and confirmed that the case in Scottsdale was unrelated to the Guthrie case in Pima County, putting all the speculations to rest, the news website reported.

“The initial identification was made based on specific tattoos, her physical characteristics, and clothing description. Dental records will be used to confirm her identification as soon as possible. Passion’s family has been notified of this tragic outcome, and Scottsdale PD’s crisis counselors helped with the notification and are working to support the family along with Salt River Police Department resources,” read a press release.

“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. The investigation is not complete. Scottsdale detectives are working with Salt River Police investigators and the medical examiner to thoroughly investigate this case and piece together how Passion died and ended up in the canal,” the press release continued.

ALSO READ: Nancy Guthrie’s kidnapper ‘terrified’? Ex-FBI agent analyzes timing of Savannah Guthrie’s emotional interview as mystery behind her disappearance deepens

Meanwhile, Guthrie, 84, has been missing since February 1, 2026, and at the time of filing of this report, her whereabouts remain unknown, and no one has been arrested in connection with her disappearance.