Authorities in Maricopa County are investigating after a woman’s body was discovered near a canal in Phoenix, as law enforcement officials examine whether the death could be related to the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of television host Savannah Guthrie.

According to a statement from Phoenix police, officers responded to a report of an unresponsive individual located along a canal bank. Details from the call indicated that an adult woman had been found near the water and was not responding.

“When officers arrived, they located the woman, who was ultimately pronounced deceased on scene,” the department said in a statement reported by local media.

Officials have not yet publicly identified the woman, and investigators say they are still working to determine the circumstances surrounding the death.

The discovery comes as authorities continue searching for Nancy Guthrie, who has been missing since Sunday, Feb. 1. Law enforcement agencies in the Phoenix area have been conducting search operations and gathering information as they attempt to determine what happened to the elderly woman.

The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office confirmed it is aware of the body found near the canal and said it is coordinating with local investigators while authorities determine whether the two cases could be connected. At this stage of the investigation, officials emphasized that no confirmed link has been established.

Detectives are now working to identify the deceased woman and reconstruct a timeline leading up to the discovery. Investigators are expected to conduct an autopsy and analyze evidence from the scene as part of the ongoing investigation.

Authorities have not released further details about the exact canal location or how the woman may have ended up near the water.

Missing-person cases involving older adults can present unique challenges for investigators, particularly if the individual may be vulnerable because of age or medical conditions. In such cases, law enforcement often relies on public tips, surveillance footage, and coordinated search efforts in surrounding areas.

Officials are asking anyone with information that could assist the investigation or help locate Nancy Guthrie to contact local law enforcement as the case continues to unfold.