Police Conduct SWAT Operation and Make Arrests in Search for Missing 84-Year-Old
Law enforcement officials in Arizona have executed a dramatic SWAT operation and detained three individuals in connection with the disappearance of Nancie Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of television host Savannah Guthrie. The operation took place just 1.9 miles from Guthrie's home in Tucson, with police acting on a tip in their search for the missing woman.
Evidence Collection from Vehicle in Restaurant Parking Lot
New images from the scene show police officers carefully removing items from a grey Range Rover in a restaurant parking lot where one of the arrests occurred. At least two officers were photographed holding up a sheet to shield the evidence collection process from public view, while other law enforcement personnel retrieved objects from the vehicle.
Separate photographs reveal police loading the Range Rover onto the back of a pickup truck, suggesting the vehicle was being transported for further forensic examination. While authorities believe they were collecting evidence during this process, the specific nature of what was recovered remains undisclosed to the public.
Multiple Arrests and Ongoing Investigation
The other two individuals detained during the operation were reportedly a mother and son pulled from a residence in Marana. Pima County Sheriff Chamonis Valdez confirmed to media outlets that the raids were directly connected to the Guthrie case, marking a significant development in the investigation.
The Pima County Police Department released a statement late Friday indicating that "law enforcement activity is underway at a residence near E Orange Grove Rd & N First Ave related to the Guthrie case." The statement further noted that, at the request of the FBI, no additional information would be released due to the joint nature of the investigation.
Extensive Police Presence and Forensic Work
The operation involved approximately two dozen officers, including FBI officials, who were seen standing near blocked-off streets in pouring rain conditions. A Pima County Sheriff's Office plane was spotted flying over the Tucson neighborhood during the activity, while marked sheriff's cars were followed by a federal evidence truck arriving at the scene.
Armored SWAT vehicles were observed leaving the area earlier in the operation, though forensic teams remained on site to continue their work. The increased law enforcement presence on Friday night saw additional vehicles arriving, including units believed to contain federal agents.
Background of the Disappearance and Investigation
Nancie Guthrie was last seen entering her Tucson home on the evening of January 31 after having dinner with her daughter, son-in-law, and grandchildren. She was reported missing the following morning when she failed to attend a virtual church service with friends.
Police believe Guthrie was taken against her will, and the FBI has released doorbell camera images showing a masked figure wearing a black jacket, backpack, and gloves near her home before she disappeared. Residents within a two-mile radius have been asked to check their security camera footage dating back to early January.
DNA Evidence and Reward Offer
In a separate development, investigators revealed on Friday that DNA found on Guthrie's property did not belong to her family or anyone "close" to her. The sheriff's department stated that "DNA other than Nancy Guthrie's and those in close contact to her have been collected from the property," though they are not disclosing where it was found.
Investigators have also recovered several gloves ranging from approximately two to ten miles away from Guthrie's home. The FBI has described the suspect as a 5-foot-9-inch to 5-foot-10-inch male with an average build and is offering a $100,000 reward for information leading to resolution of the case.
It remains unclear whether any of the three individuals detained during Thursday night's operation are considered suspects in Guthrie's disappearance. The investigation continues as authorities work to locate the missing 84-year-old and identify those responsible for her apparent abduction.
