Nancy Guthrie Update: Bone Found in Shoe Sparks Fear Amid Search for Missing Woman; ‘Whose Foot Is That?’

Tucson: A disturbing discovery involving a bone found inside a shoe has triggered fresh speculation in the ongoing search for missing Arizona woman Nancy Guthrie. The discovery was made in Tucson by a self-styled investigator following the case, with images of the shoe and bone quickly circulating online.

But despite the alarming appearance of the discovery, there is no official confirmation that the bone belongs to a human being or that it has any connection to Guthrie's disappearance.

Nancy Guthrie, 84, was reported missing from her home in Tucson's Catalina Foothills on February 1. Authorities have previously said they believe she was taken from her home the previous night. More than seven months later, her whereabouts remain unknown.

Bone discovered inside black shoe

The latest development emerged after Jonathan Lee Riches, who has been publicly documenting the case, reportedly found a pair of black sneakers while investigating in Tucson.

A video shared online shows what appears to be a bone protruding from one of the shoes. Riches and another person can be heard discussing whether the object could be a human bone.

However, they also considered another possibility — that it could be an animal bone deliberately placed inside the shoe to frighten people or attract attention.

At present, there is no forensic confirmation establishing what type of bone was found.

‘Whose foot is that?’

The discovery quickly prompted reactions from people following the Nancy Guthrie case online.

One social media post accompanying the images asked: “Whose foot is that?” Others expressed alarm over the possibility that the discovery could be linked to the missing woman.

However, authorities have not said that the shoe or bone is connected to Guthrie. The online speculation therefore remains unverified.

Nancy Guthrie case remains unsolved

Guthrie's disappearance has generated a massive investigation involving local authorities and the FBI.

Investigators have examined properties, vehicles and physical evidence during the months-long search. Several developments that initially generated speculation have ultimately been ruled unrelated to the case.

Earlier in August, human remains were discovered in a desert area roughly 15 miles from Guthrie's home. The Pima County Sheriff's Department said there was no indication at that time that the remains were connected to the Nancy Guthrie investigation.

Another discovery of human remains reported in May was also determined by authorities to be unrelated to Guthrie's disappearance.

Previous bone discoveries also caused concern

The latest shoe discovery is therefore not the first time that bones or human remains found around Tucson have sparked speculation about Guthrie.

Because the case has remained without a publicly disclosed breakthrough, discoveries in the surrounding area have repeatedly drawn attention from people monitoring the investigation.

Authorities, however, have consistently stressed the importance of forensic evidence before establishing any connection to Guthrie.

What happened to Nancy Guthrie?

Guthrie was last known to be at her home in the Catalina Foothills area of Tucson before she disappeared. Investigators have treated the case as an abduction, while the circumstances surrounding her disappearance remain under investigation.

The case has received significant national attention because Guthrie is the mother of Savannah Guthrie, the NBC Today show co-anchor.

Despite extensive searches and investigative activity, authorities have not publicly identified a suspect or disclosed where they believe Nancy Guthrie may have been taken.

No evidence currently links shoe to Nancy Guthrie

For now, the bone-in-shoe discovery should be treated cautiously.

There is no evidence publicly establishing that the bone is human, belongs to Nancy Guthrie, or is connected to the kidnapping investigation. Any identification would require examination by forensic specialists and comparison with evidence related to Guthrie.

Until authorities provide such confirmation, the social-media reaction — including the question “whose foot is that?” — remains speculation rather than a breakthrough in the case.

The search for Nancy Guthrie continues, with investigators yet to publicly reveal a definitive lead on her whereabouts.