A Chilling Nighttime Discovery: Partial Remains Found Near Savannah’s Mother’s Home — The DNA Results Were Absolutely Devastating.
In a dramatic twist amid the high-profile disappearance of Nancy Guthrie—the 84-year-old mother of Today show co-host Savannah Guthrie—a recent discovery near the family home initially sparked fears of the worst.
Law enforcement sources close to the investigation have now confirmed that a partial human remain found in proximity to Nancy’s Tucson-area residence was not connected to her.
When Savannah was informed and shown the preliminary DNA results, she reportedly fainted—not from devastation, but from overwhelming joy and relief that the grim find did not belong to her beloved mother.
The incident unfolded late last week as Pima County Sheriff’s deputies continued their intensive search for Nancy, who vanished from her Catalina Foothills home on January 31, 2026.
Authorities had already designated the property a crime scene after discovering signs of forced entry, blood traces (confirmed via DNA to be Nancy’s), cut security camera feeds, and other indicators suggesting an abduction rather than a voluntary departure.
Nancy, who relies on daily medications for heart and mobility issues, was believed to be in grave danger if not located quickly.
Then came the chilling report: a severed body part was located during a sweep of nearby wooded areas and drainage zones, just a short distance from the Guthrie family property. The grim find triggered an immediate rush to process it for identification. Savannah, who has been vocal about her family’s anguish while maintaining composure in public appeals, was kept in the loop by investigators as a priority family member.
According to multiple sources briefed on the matter, Savannah was brought to a secure location to receive the update in person.
“She was visibly anxious—everyone was bracing for catastrophic news,” one insider described. “When the DNA analyst explained that the genetic profile did not match Nancy’s reference samples, and in fact pointed to an unrelated cold-case or unrelated incident, Savannah’s knees buckled.
She collapsed right there from sheer emotional release. Paramedics were called, but she recovered quickly once it sank in that her mom was still potentially out there alive.”
The faint was brief but telling. Savannah reportedly came to moments later, tears streaming, repeating variations of “Thank God, thank God it’s not her.”
Family members and close friends say the moment marked one of the few instances of unfiltered hope in what has otherwise been weeks of torment.
Savannah has since returned to making measured public statements, including renewed calls for tips and any proof-of-life from whoever may be holding her mother.
This development has shifted the tone of the investigation slightly. While the abduction theory remains dominant—bolstered by the blood evidence, lack of Nancy’s medications being taken, and no sightings of the elderly woman—authorities are now exploring whether the discovered remain could be linked to a separate crime entirely, possibly dumped in the area coincidentally.
No arrests have been made, and no suspects have been publicly named, though rumors and armchair speculation online continue to swirl, including unfounded theories about family involvement or ransom motives.
Savannah, her siblings Annie and Camron, and the extended family have leaned heavily on public support. In video messages posted to social media, Savannah has pleaded directly to any captors: “She’s 84 years old. Her health is fragile.
She needs her medicine to survive. If you have her, please let us know she’s alive. We’re ready to listen.” A reward for information leading to Nancy’s safe return has been increased, though exact figures remain undisclosed.
The Guthrie family has faced an outpouring of prayers from fans, colleagues at NBC, and the broader public. Co-hosts Craig Melvin and others have filled in on Today while Savannah steps back periodically to focus on the search.
Celebrities and everyday viewers alike have shared messages of solidarity, turning the case into one of the most closely followed missing-persons stories of 2026.
For now, the DNA revelation has given the family—and millions following the saga—a precious sliver of optimism. Investigators stress that the search remains active and urgent. “Every hour counts,” a sheriff’s spokesperson reiterated. “Nancy is vulnerable. We need the public’s eyes and ears.”
As leads are pursued and more forensic work continues, the Guthries hold onto the hope ignited by one negative DNA match. In a case filled with heartbreak, that single result has become a lifeline—one that literally brought Savannah to her knees in grateful disbelief.
Authorities urge anyone with information to contact the Pima County Sheriff’s tip line immediately. Nancy Guthrie is described as 5’4″, approximately 120 pounds, with gray hair, last seen wearing light clothing suitable for home.
The family asks for continued prayers—and privacy—as they await the moment their mother comes home safe.
Thune Breaks With Trump, Backs Cornyn After Paxton Endorsement
Senate Majority Leader John Thune said Tuesday he will continue supporting Sen. John Cornyn despite President Donald Trump endorsing Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in one of the most closely watched Republican Senate primaries of the 2026 cycle.
Speaking to reporters following Trump’s endorsement announcement, Thune praised Cornyn as “a principled conservative” and an “effective senator” for Texas, signaling a rare split between Senate Republican leadership and the president.
“Cornyn is a principled conservative. He is a very effective senator for the state of Texas,” Thune said.
“None of us can control what the president does. That doesn’t change the way I feel. I will continue to be supportive of Senator Cornyn in his re-election,” Thune added.
The comments came just hours after Trump formally endorsed Paxton on Truth Social, delivering a major boost to the Texas attorney general as he seeks to unseat Cornyn in the Republican runoff election.
In his endorsement, Trump criticized Cornyn for insufficient loyalty during politically difficult periods of his presidency.
“Ken Paxton has been a warrior for Texas values and for our America First agenda,” Trump wrote. He added that Cornyn “was not supportive of me when times were tough.”
The endorsement immediately intensified an already bitter and nationally significant Republican primary battle that has exposed growing tensions inside the GOP between establishment Senate Republicans and Trump-aligned populists.
Early voting in the runoff began Monday and continues through Friday, with Election Day set for May 26.
Despite the internal divisions, Thune expressed confidence Republicans would retain control of the Senate in November.
“I’m very confident we’ll hang on — and maybe even expand the majority of the United States Senate,” Thune said.
Republicans currently hold a six-seat Senate majority. Democrats would need a net gain of four seats to retake control of the chamber.
Several races, including contests in Maine, Michigan, and North Carolina, are currently viewed as highly competitive.
The Texas race has become particularly important because Democrats believe a bruising Republican runoff could weaken the eventual GOP nominee heading into the general election against Democratic candidate James Talarico.
Recent polling has suggested an unusually competitive general election environment in Texas. One survey released Monday reportedly showed both Cornyn and Paxton running roughly even with Talarico in hypothetical head-to-head matchups.
That possibility has alarmed some Republicans, particularly moderates concerned that Paxton’s legal controversies and polarizing political image could jeopardize a seat long considered safely Republican.
Sen. Lisa Murkowski openly criticized Trump’s endorsement Tuesday, warning it could backfire politically.
“I was supremely disappointed,” Murkowski said. “How does that help strengthen the president’s hand when we lose a state like Texas?”
Paxton has remained a dominant figure among Texas conservatives despite years of legal and political controversies, including securities fraud charges that were later resolved and an impeachment battle in the Texas legislature from which he was ultimately acquitted by the state Senate.
Trump allies have framed the race as a test of loyalty to the president and the broader America First movement, while Cornyn supporters argue the longtime senator offers stability, fundraising strength, and legislative experience critical for maintaining Republican control of the Senate.
Cornyn, who has served in the Senate since 2002 and previously chaired the National Republican Senatorial Committee, has longstanding ties to GOP leadership and donor networks in Washington. But critics on the right have increasingly portrayed him as part of the party establishment out of step with the Republican base.
Paxton has sought to capitalize on that frustration, presenting himself as a fighter aligned more closely with Trump’s populist agenda on immigration, election integrity, and federal power.
The runoff has also become a broader proxy battle over the future direction of Senate Republicans after Trump’s sweeping victories reshaped the party.
