FBI and Local Police Conduct Court-Ordered Searches as Man Is Taken Into Custody in Rio Rico Amid Nancy Guthrie Kidnapping Investigation

Authorities detained a man near the Mexican border on Tuesday evening in connection with the abduction of 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie, sparking new leads in the ongoing case.

The arrest came after law enforcement conducted a court-ordered search of a property where the individual had been staying.

The Pima County Sheriff’s Department confirmed that the unidentified man was taken into custody following a traffic stop south of Tucson.

Officials emphasized that he is currently being questioned as part of the broader investigation into Guthrie’s disappearance.

Intensive Search Operations in Rio Rico

The arrest occurred in Rio Rico, Arizona, a small town near Interstate 19 and the U.S.-Mexico border.

Authorities immediately began a detailed search of a residence connected to the detainee.

Witness Krystal Bacica told reporters that multiple unmarked vehicles and a marked Marana Police car were involved, describing FBI agents on the scene.

Federal authorities, however, are investigating multiple persons of interest.

FBI Director Kash Patel told Fox News that the bureau is pursuing leads in the local area and working to rule out individuals who may not be involved.

Patel stressed that finding Nancy Guthrie remains the top priority, with identifying and apprehending any accomplices following closely behind.

Chilling Doorbell Footage Drives Tips

The arrest follows the release of haunting doorbell camera footage from the home of Savannah Guthrie’s mother, showing a masked figure tampering with the Nest camera and removing it from the door frame.

The intruder, clad in black gloves and a ski mask and carrying a backpack, was captured on video pulling flowers from the entrance and attempting to block the camera lens with a clenched fist.

Authorities have not confirmed whether the detainee matches the person seen in the surveillance video.

TMZ reports that he is not a family member.

Meanwhile, SWAT units, bomb squads, and the FBI’s Hostage Rescue Team have been deployed to support the search efforts.

Ransom Demand and Bitcoin Activity

The case has also involved a ransom demand.

Alleged ransom letters sent to local news outlets and TMZ called for $6 million for Nancy’s safe return.

TMZ reported minor activity in the referenced Bitcoin account—less than $300—after the payment deadline passed.

Investigators believe the notes were authored by the kidnapper and contain details about Nancy’s home and possessions, suggesting intimate knowledge of the family’s environment.

Timeline of Nancy Guthrie’s Disappearance

Nancy Guthrie was last seen on the evening of February 1 after dinner with her daughter Annie and son-in-law Tommaso Cioni.

She arrived home around 9:48 p.m., and her garage door closed moments later.

By 1:47 a.m., her doorbell camera had been disconnected, coinciding with the suspect’s actions captured in the surveillance footage.

Subsequent videos showed the intruder tampering with the camera and removing objects from the entrance.

Investigators later found drops of Nancy’s blood on the front porch, and her pacemaker stopped transmitting data shortly afterward, suggesting she had been taken out of device range.

Her personal belongings, including her phone, wallet, and medications, remained inside the house, raising urgent concerns about her well-being.

Ongoing Investigation and Community Efforts

Law enforcement has continued going door-to-door around Nancy’s neighborhood, canvassing businesses for surveillance footage, and searching nearby properties.

Neighbors like John Grove reported police inquiries about a local dry riverbed, highlighting the thoroughness and intensity of the investigation.

Officials have urged anyone with information to come forward, as tips continue to pour in following the release of surveillance footage.

What’s Next?

Authorities are expected to continue interrogating the detained individual while expanding searches of related properties.

Federal agencies are likely to focus on identifying additional persons of interest, confirming if the suspect matches the figure in the doorbell footage, and securing any evidence that could shed light on Nancy Guthrie’s whereabouts.

The family and investigators are also monitoring Bitcoin activity in connection with the ransom notes.

Community vigilance and media coverage are playing critical roles in advancing the investigation, and officials have not ruled out new developments in the coming days.

Summary

A man has been detained near the Arizona-Mexico border as part of the investigation into the abduction of Nancy Guthrie.

Authorities conducted searches in Rio Rico, and federal agents are examining multiple persons of interest.

Chilling doorbell footage revealed the suspect tampering with surveillance equipment at Guthrie’s home, and ransom notes linked to Bitcoin payments have surfaced.

The case remains ongoing, with law enforcement focusing on locating Nancy, identifying accomplices, and following up on new leads from the public.