Human remains found during the search for missing Arizona woman Nancy Guthrie belonged to an individual buried centuries ago and are not connected to the ongoing abduction investigation, according to a University of Arizona anthropologist.
The remains were discovered less than five miles from the Catalina Foothills home of Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of “Today” show co-host Savannah Guthrie, who disappeared Feb. 1 in what authorities say was a suspected abduction.
Watson said Wysopal contacted law enforcement immediately after making the discovery. Authorities then called forensic anthropologists, who determined the remains were human and archaeological in nature before contacting Watson to assist with recovery efforts.
Watson was contacted to see if he could facilitate the recovery of the individual who was “likely prehistoric, Native American,” Watson told Fox News. He said tribal representatives also were contacted.
Watson said prehistoric Native American ceramic fragments and artifacts found near the remains helped investigators determine the burial site predated the current time.
“All of that contextual evidence allowed me to be pretty sure that this individual was, in fact, Native American,” Watson said.
Watson said discoveries involving archaeological sites and human remains are relatively common in Arizona because of rapid development and construction in previously undisturbed desert areas.
Phoenix is among the fastest-growing metro areas, and discoveries involving archaeological resources, including human remains, occur “half a dozen to a dozen times a year,” he said.
“Whether it’s 50 years old or 1,000 years old, these are human remains,” Watson said. “We appreciate the level of cultural sensitivity that goes along with these.”
“It’s important to treat them with the respect and dignity that they deserve,” he added.
Watson also criticized video footage showing the remains being poked with a stick after discovery.
“Not something that you would do to one of your relatives who has passed away,” Watson said.
The FBI and Pima County Sheriff’s Department continue to investigate Guthrie’s disappearance. Federal investigators previously released surveillance footage showing an armed, masked person near Guthrie’s front door the night she vanished.
The FBI is offering a $100,000 reward for information in the case, while Guthrie’s family has separately announced a $1 million reward for information leading to her recovery or arrest. Combined reward offers now exceed $1.1 million.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI.