Nancy Guthrie Case: Expert Search Group Offers Help, Turned Away By Pima County Sheriff's Department
Nancy Guthrie Case Update: An experienced Mexican volunteer search group traveled to Arizona to use their expertise to help find Savannah Guthrie's mother. However, the Pima County Sheriff's Department has denied them access to the main search sites. The group that has helped in other complex disappearance cases still hopes to support law enforcement efforts to find Nancy Guthrie.
Who Is the Mexican Search Group That Wants To Help Find Nancy Guthrie?
CNN has reported that members of a group of experts who volunteer to help searches for missing people traveled to Arizona to help look for Nancy Guthrie. Known as Madres Buscadoras de Sonora (Searching Mothers of Sonora), the group that has a documented history of success is comprised of Mexican volunteers, mothers, and wives.
In January 2024, the group told Aztec Reports that they found the remains of 50 people in 30 hidden graves in Mexico’s Sonoran Desert over a period of just three days. Later in July 2025, the Mexico Daily Post reported on the group announcing they'd found three graves with human remains and more than 200 items of clothing in Hermosillo, Sonora. The leader, Cecilia Flores, founded the first chapter in 2019 after she had two sons go missing. Since then, she has revealed that she has gotten threats from criminal groups trying to stop her efforts.
An AOL report on Madres Buscadoras de Sonora detailed how the volunteers have achieved its successes in other searches. "They probe soil with metal rods to detect disturbances or decomposition smells, target disturbed earth, and conduct 'life searches' by approaching homeless individuals with flyers, food, and conversations."
While the group has uncovered evidence that others missed, it is important to note that they don't always succeed. Their results vary on a case-by-case basis.
Why Officials Turned Them Away
Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images
CNN's report about Madres Buscadoras de Sonora attempting to join the search for Nancy Guthrie stated that they'd hoped to begin their efforts on February 24. However, they were denied the permit needed to gain access to search the key areas of the Arizona desert over fears they'd disturb the investigation. Still, they carried out limited searches in permitted places, distributed flyers featuring Guthrie's picture, and plan to continue their efforts in the Mexican border town of Nogales.
The Pima County Sheriff's Department announced on February 21, 2026, that they had blocked volunteers from joining the search in some cases. While the Department's post on X revealing that fact didn't mention Madres Buscadoras de Sonora, it aligns with the decision to deny their requested permit.
"Private Search Parties: Volunteer search groups have inquired about being in the area. Per the Sheriff, they were asked to please give investigators the space they need to do their work. We appreciate their concern, and we all want to find Nancy, but this work is best left to professionals. PCSD has volunteer opportunities if they wish to get involved with the department. Private property laws apply and it is up to each individual property owner to grant permission for someone to search their property."
Private Search Parties: Volunteer search groups have inquired about being in the area. Per the Sheriff, they were asked to please give investigators the space they need to do their work. 1/3
— Pima County Sheriff's Department (@PimaSheriff) February 21, 2026
A 2024 Dutch study on volunteers helping in missing person cases detailed why law enforcement officials often view citizen search efforts with reluctance. They cite concerns about safety, losing control of search areas, and evidence destruction as the primary motivations for discouraging those kinds of efforts.