Authorities have identified the battered body of a woman who was found dead near a canal in Phoenix — and it’s not Nancy Guthrie.
The remains were found on Friday, more than 100 miles from Tucson, where the 84-year-old mom of “Today” show star Savannah Guthrie was kidnapped five weeks ago.
The woman has been identified as Alex Fleming, 42, according to KTAR.
Authorities have identified the battered body of a woman who was found dead near a canal in Phoenix. Arizona's FamilyFleming’s body showed signs of trauma, and she was declared dead at the scene. Her death is being investigated by Phoenix homicide detectives.
The grim discovery briefly sparked questions about whether the victim could be connected to Nancy Guthrie’s kidnapping — but the Pima County Sheriff’s Department, which is leading the search for Nancy, said it had not been alerted that there was any connection to the case.
Guthrie has not been seen or heard from since she is believed to have been kidnapped from her home in the early hours of Feb. 1.
No suspects have been identified 37 days later, despite tens of thousands of tips, doorbell footage of a masked man on her front porch, and assistance from the FBI.
The remains were found on Friday, more than 100 miles from Tucson, where 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie disappeared. Arizona's FamilyThe slow pace of the investigation has frustrated Guthrie’s loved ones, who have offered a $1 million cash reward for information leading to her mother’s safe return or recovery.
A trove of evidence, including traces of blood, has been recovered from Guthrie’s home. However, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos warned it could take up to “a year” to analyze it all, particularly the evidence containing DNA.
Here’s the latest on Savannah Guthrie’s missing mom Nancy Guthrie
- California man pleads guilty after sending fake ransom note to Nancy Guthrie’s heartbroken family
- Nancy Guthrie case could be solved with help from armchair sleuths: detective
- FBI hasn’t dismissed all Nancy Guthrie ransom notes — but reveals many led to dead end
- FBI determines Nancy Guthrie ransom notes were fake: report
Most recently, Investigators are looking into a damaged utility box near Guthrie’s home as part of the case.
Several persons of interest were briefly detained during the massive probe but were released within hours. All have insisted they had absolutely nothing to do with the kidnapping.
Alex Fleming’s body showed signs of trauma, and she was declared dead at the scene. Arizona's Family
The grim discovery briefly sparked questions about whether the victim could be connected to Nancy Guthrie’s kidnapping, but the Pima County Sheriff’s Department said it had not been alerted that there was any connection to the case. 12NewsA series of supposed ransom notes, which supposedly were sent by kidnappers and demanded millions of dollars for Nancy’s return, all expired after their deadlines fruitlessly.
The investigation remains active with some 300 to 400 personnel still assigned to the case, the same as when it was first opened, the sheriff’s office told The Post.
Nanos said last week that investigators “are definitely closer” to finding Guthrie.
