Prehistoric Hohokam bone found near missing woman's home ruled unrelated
A human bone discovered near the Arizona home of missing woman Nancy Guthrie has been identified as prehistoric. The find, initially thought to be linked to her disappearance, dates back between 650 and 1250 A.D. Investigators now believe it belonged to an ancient member of the Hohokam people. The bone was found on May 7, 2026, close to where Guthrie was last seen. Police quickly consulted experts, and by May 22, an archaeological specialist confirmed it was likely around 750 years old. This ruled out any connection to Guthrie’s case, as she has been missing for over 100 days.
James T. Watson, a bioarchaeology curator at the Arizona State Museum, examined the remains. He estimated the bone was at least 50 years old, possibly much older, and linked it to the Hohokam culture. Watson also warned about the risks of amateur investigators disturbing sacred or historical sites. AJ Wysopal, the YouTuber who discovered the bone, said he would remove his video if requested by the tribe. Meanwhile, authorities continue searching for Guthrie, stating they are close to a breakthrough—though no details have been confirmed.
The prehistoric bone has no ties to Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance, leaving her case unsolved. Experts have stressed the importance of protecting culturally significant sites from unintended disturbances. Investigators remain focused on finding answers in Guthrie’s ongoing search.
