Police Identify Body Found In Phoenix Amid Ongoing Nancy Guthrie Search
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.
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.
