As soon as the news of the discovery of a human bone near Nancy Guthrie’s Arizona home broke, it briefly sparked fears of a major break in the case. However, they have now been put to rest as the remains date back 750 years or more. 

Nancy Guthrie, 84, is the mother of “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie. She has been missing since her alleged abduction on Feb.1, 2026.

According to The Sunday Guardian, Tucson resident and YouTuber AJ Wysopal found the bone on May 7, 2026. He was livestreaming his search efforts near Guthrie’s home in the Catalina Foothills area when he stumbled upon a bone that appeared to be a leg bone.

Wysopal was showing everything on his live stream, and after spotting a white object protruding from the dirt in a dry riverbed, he said:

“I’m pretty sure that’s a bone. What the heck?”

Wysopal then poked the bone with a stick and tried to dig around it as well. He then called 911. Police and reporters fled to the scene instantly, hoping for a breakthrough story. 

However, authorities soon ruled out any connection to the missing persons investigation. The Tucson Police Department said in a statement:

“The bone found near Craycroft and River was determined to be human. This will be a prehistoric anthropological investigation.”

“The University of Arizona’s Anthropology Department and the Pima County Office of the Medical Examiner assisted. This is not a criminal investigation.”

James T. Watson, curator of bioarchaeology at the Arizona State Museum, later revealed that the bones date back to more than 750 years. He estimated that the remains likely come from a period between 650 A.D. and 1250 A.D. 

Watson also said that the riverbed where the bone was discovered sits near a known archaeological site. He believes that rainfall may have exposed the remains beneath the ground, possibly belonging to a member of the Hohokam people, an ancient group considered an ancestor of modern Native Americans in Arizona.

The Hohokam are described as “one of the largest and most complex societies in the Southwest.” They were prolific farmers who used canals to irrigate the Arizona desert. 

Watson also went on to criticize Wysopal, poking the bone. After seeing the footage, he said:

“Whether it’s Nancy Guthrie or an ancient individual, you shouldn’t be poking at them with a stick. It’s common decency. Would you do that with your grandmother’s remains?”

Speaking to The Washington Post, Watson added:

“It is a disturbance of their ancestors, just like if a modern cemetery got dug up.”

Wysopal later acknowledged he did not realize the area was historically significant and said he never intended to disrespect the remains. He said:

“I try to do things the right way.”