Breakthrough in Nancy Guthrie Disappearance: Person of Interest Detained in Rio Rico Traffic Stop as Authorities Search Home
Rio Rico, Arizona – In a significant development in the high-profile disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of NBC’s “Today” show co-host Savannah Guthrie, authorities have detained a person of interest during a traffic stop south of Tucson. The Pima County Sheriff’s Department confirmed the detainment, and law enforcement sources report that a home in Rio Rico is being searched in connection with the case.
Detainment During Traffic Stop Sparks Intense Investigation
Two law enforcement sources informed CBS News that the Pima County Sheriff’s Department took a subject into custody late Tuesday during a routine traffic stop south of Tucson.[1] The individual, described as a person of interest, is currently being questioned in relation to Guthrie’s abduction from her Tucson-area home on February 1, 2026.[1][2]
The Sheriff’s Department issued a brief statement acknowledging the stop and emphasizing that updates would follow as the interrogation progresses.[1][3] Members of the regional SWAT team assisted in the operation, highlighting the seriousness with which investigators are treating this lead, according to Oro Valley Police.[1]
Simultaneously, search teams executed a warrant at a residence in Rio Rico, a small community near the U.S.-Mexico border approximately 60 miles south of Tucson. A homeowner spoke briefly to reporters outside the property as deputies combed the premises, though details on what prompted the search remain under wraps.[3]
Timeline of Nancy Guthrie’s Abduction
Nancy Guthrie, 84, was last seen at her home in the upscale Catalina Foothills neighborhood outside Tucson on the evening of January 31, 2026. She was dropped off around 9:50 p.m. by her son-in-law, Tommaso Cioni, husband of her daughter Annie Guthrie – the last known person to see her alive.[2]
Reported missing the next day, evidence at the scene quickly indicated foul play. Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos declared that Guthrie had been taken against her will, possibly in the middle of the night, as she was physically unable to leave on her own. “She couldn’t walk 50 yards by herself,” Nanos told reporters, shifting the case from search to criminal investigation involving homicide detectives.[2]
FBI Releases Chilling Surveillance Footage
The investigation gained momentum Tuesday when the FBI publicized images and video from Guthrie’s Nest camera system, recovered via residual data in backend systems with Google’s assistance. The footage depicts a person wearing a ski mask and gloves approaching Guthrie’s door on the night of her disappearance.[1]
Following the release, FBI agents and Pima County search-and-rescue teams, including K-9 units, canvassed the neighborhood around Annie Guthrie’s nearby home, conducting door-to-door inquiries.[1][3] It’s unclear if this effort directly led to the Rio Rico detainment and search.
Ransom Note Deadline Passes Without Resolution
Complicating the case, an apparent ransom demand surfaced, requiring payment in bitcoin with a deadline that expired Monday. An FBI spokesperson confirmed to CBS News that no further communications have been received from the purported kidnappers.[1]
Guthrie’s children – Savannah, Annie, and their siblings – have made emotional public pleas. Savannah Guthrie, a prominent NBC journalist, released videos begging for her mother’s safe return and urging tips to authorities.[1]
Expansive Multi-Agency Search Yields No Trace
The response has been massive: Pima County deployed drones, aerial units, and K-9 teams, aided by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Despite exhaustive efforts, no sign of Guthrie has emerged, and the case is now firmly a criminal probe.[2]
“At this point, investigators believe she was taken from her home against her will, possibly in the middle of the night. Taken against her will includes possible kidnapping or abduction.”
– Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos[2]
Family’s Anguish Amid National Spotlight
The disappearance has drawn intense media scrutiny due to Savannah Guthrie’s fame. The family has maintained a visible presence, posting heartfelt messages online and cooperating fully with investigators. As the 10th day of the ordeal unfolds, hope clings to this latest break.[3]
Authorities continue interviewing the detained individual and processing evidence from the Rio Rico home. Sheriff Nanos has pledged transparency, promising updates as new information surfaces.
What Happens Next?
Investigators have not confirmed if the detained person matches the ski-masked figure in the FBI footage or revealed the basis for targeting the Rio Rico property.[1] The multi-agency task force, including FBI, local sheriff’s deputies, and SWAT, remains on high alert.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the Pima County Sheriff’s Department tip line or the FBI. The family echoes this call, pleading for public assistance in bringing Nancy Guthrie home.