TUCSON, Ariz. (WOWO): The sheriff’s department leading the investigation into the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie is warning residents about a separate kidnapping suspect wanted in an unrelated case that occurred less than 10 miles from the missing Tucson woman’s home.
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department issued a “be on the lookout” alert over the weekend for 40-year-old Coral Michelle Smith, who is wanted in connection with a kidnapping and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon investigation stemming from an incident reported May 29 near the intersection of River Road and La Cholla Boulevard.
The location is approximately 6.8 miles from Guthrie’s home in Tucson’s Catalina Foothills, where the 84-year-old mother of “Today” co-host Savannah Guthrie is believed to have been abducted Feb. 1.
Authorities emphasized that they have not identified any connection between Smith and Guthrie’s disappearance.
The sheriff’s department declined to release additional details about the May 29 investigation but urged the public to contact law enforcement immediately if Smith is seen.
According to authorities, Smith is described as approximately 5 feet 6 inches tall, weighing about 136 pounds, with blonde hair and blue eyes. Investigators said she has several distinctive tattoos, including a smiley face and heart on her right ankle, a rose with flames on her right foot, and the phrase “love, life family” tattooed on her left leg.
Court records show Smith has faced previous criminal charges, including allegations of kidnapping, assault and disorderly conduct. A kidnapping charge filed in 2020 was later dismissed, although she was convicted of residential robbery in the same case involving a victim younger than 15. Records also indicate she has served multiple prison terms and has used several aliases, including “Corral Albright” and “Under the Sea Smith.”
The alert comes as investigators continue searching for answers in the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, whose case has drawn national attention because of her relationship to the longtime television journalist.
No arrests have been made in connection with Guthrie’s disappearance, and authorities have not publicly identified any suspects. Investigators have, however, released surveillance images and descriptions of an individual captured on a Nest doorbell camera outside Guthrie’s home in the early morning hours of Feb. 1.
Authorities said the person seen on the footage appeared to be between 5 feet 9 inches and 5 feet 10 inches tall with an average build and was carrying a black 25-liter Ozark Trail Hiker Pack backpack. The individual was also seen appearing to tamper with the doorbell camera.
Some outside analysts have speculated that the person captured on video could be female, but investigators have not confirmed the individual’s identity or gender. Smith’s physical description differs from the height estimate provided by authorities for the person seen at Guthrie’s residence.
The search for Guthrie remains active. During the early stages of the investigation, deputies detained and questioned multiple individuals, but all were later released without charges.
The Guthrie family continues to ask anyone with information about Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI.
Meanwhile, authorities urged anyone who sees Smith to call 911 immediately. Anonymous tips can be submitted through Tucson’s 88-Crime hotline at 520-882-7463. Officials said a $1,000 reward is being offered for information leading to her arrest.
