Who was Passion Schurz? Police identify woman found in Arizona canal nearly a week after she went missing; chilling details emerge

Police have identified the body of a woman found in a canal near Indian Bend and Hayden Roads in Scottsdale, Arizona, on March 28, 2026. In a press release, the Scottsdale Police Department confirmed she has been identified as 28-year-old Passion Schurz, who had been reported missing from the Salt River-Pima-Maricopa Indian Community on March 22.

Earlier, 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 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 by the Scottsdale Police Department after the body was found, many people suspected that the discovery was related to the Nancy Guthrie case, according to Parade.

How police confirmed the woman’s identity

“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,” the police press release said.

“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,” it further stated.

According to police, a passerby spotted Schurz’s body in the water near Hayden and Indian Bend roads, close to Scottsdale Silverado Golf Club, and called 911 around 8 AM on Saturday (March 28, 2026), according to news platform Arizona's Family. Initially, police did not believe there was any threat to the public.

Cops reveal key details about Schurz

In the press release, the Scottsdale Police Department said that there were no injuries related to fractures, stab wounds, or gunshot wounds. The cause of death was not revealed at the time of filing of this report.

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

“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.

Details about her full autopsy report, including toxicology results, were not available at the time of filing of this report and are not expected for several weeks, AZ Family reported.