Rio Rico, Arizona — Authorities are searching a home and questioning a person of interest in connection with the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the mother of “Today” show co-host Savannah Guthrie. The unfolding situation began late Tuesday night with a traffic stop and quickly escalated, drawing in local and federal agencies.
Search Warrant Executed as Investigation Intensifies
The search focuses on a Rio Rico residence linked to a person detained earlier Tuesday.
- A person of interest is in custody following a traffic stop south of Tucson.
- Authorities are executing a court-authorized search of a home in Rio Rico.
- The FBI is assisting the Pima County Sheriff’s Department in the investigation.
- The White House is monitoring the situation, with President Trump reportedly expressing “pure disgust” upon seeing surveillance footage.
What exactly led to this escalation? Deputies from the Pima County Sheriff’s Department detained an individual during a traffic stop Tuesday evening, according to the department. The person is being questioned regarding the disappearance of 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie, who has been missing for ten days and requires daily medication.
FBI Releases Surveillance Images, Canvasses Neighborhood
Earlier Tuesday, the FBI released images and videos recovered from a home security camera showing a person wearing a ski mask, gloves, and carrying a backpack, potentially with a gun holstered on their belt. FBI Director Kash Patel shared the footage, which was reportedly obtained with the assistance of Google, examining data from a Nest camera. Following the release, search and rescue teams, alongside the FBI, began canvassing the neighborhood where Guthrie’s daughter, Annie Guthrie, resides.
Homeowner Claims Innocence, Details Search
As of 1:49 AM MST on February 11, 2026, a woman in Rio Rico told reporters that authorities were searching her home. She stated her son-in-law is the person of interest being held for questioning. “They had somebody give a tip that the lady (Guthrie) was in my house,” she said. “I told them you can go in and search my house; there is nobody there. I have nothing to hide.”
The woman expressed frustration with the search, stating, “They’re just invading my property…we’re not hiding anything. I gave him permission. You can go and search and there’s nothing in my house.” She also indicated that the silver vehicle used during the detention was her daughter’s. Investigators reportedly showed her the surveillance videos to see if she recognized the individual, but she confirmed her son-in-law does not own the clothing seen in the footage.
White House Briefed on Developing Situation
The situation has reached the attention of the White House. A senior Trump administration official stated late Tuesday night that the White House is closely monitoring developments in Tucson. Earlier in the day, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt informed reporters that President Trump and she had reviewed the latest surveillance video and photos, with the President’s initial reaction described as “pure disgust.”
FBI Assistance and SWAT Team Activation
The FBI’s Evidence Response Team is assisting the Pima County Sheriff’s Department with the court-authorized search in Rio Rico, a community located approximately 12 miles north of the U.S.-Mexico border. Members of a regional SWAT team were also activated Tuesday night to support the sheriff’s department, according to Oro Valley Police.
The search is expected to continue for several hours, authorities said.
