SWAT Raid Near Nancy Guthrie’s Home Leads to Three Detentions

Three individuals were detained late Friday night after a coordinated SWAT operation unfolded in a Tucson neighborhood just miles from the home of missing 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie, marking one of the most significant developments in the investigation since her disappearance nearly two weeks ago.

The operation, which involved Pima County deputies and federal agents, targeted a residence approximately two miles from Guthrie’s home. Authorities detained a man and a woman at the house without incident. At nearly the same time, a third individual was taken into custody during a traffic stop at a nearby Culver’s restaurant.

Law enforcement sources indicated the timing of the traffic stop and the raid were connected, suggesting investigators were coordinating efforts to detain multiple individuals believed to be linked in some way to the ongoing investigation. It remains unclear whether those detained are suspects, persons of interest, or potential witnesses.

Shortly after the detentions, FBI agents and members of an evidence response team arrived at the scene to execute a search warrant at the residence. Officials were expected to remain at the property overnight collecting potential evidence.

The SWAT deployment followed a day of heightened law enforcement activity, including aerial surveillance conducted by a search plane over Tucson. Authorities had reportedly staged tactical units earlier in the evening before ultimately moving in on the home.

Unlike some previous operations connected to the case, Friday night’s raid ended without the use of force. According to observations at the scene, the two individuals inside the residence exited voluntarily and surrendered to authorities.

The developments come as investigators confirmed a major forensic breakthrough earlier in the day: the discovery of unidentified DNA inside Nancy Guthrie’s home.

According to the sheriff’s office, the DNA does not belong to Guthrie, her family members, or individuals known to have had legitimate access to the property, such as service workers. Investigators believe the genetic evidence could potentially belong to the person responsible for her disappearance.

The DNA finding provides authorities with a critical investigative tool. Law enforcement can compare the genetic material to samples collected from detained individuals, run it through criminal databases, and potentially use genetic genealogy techniques to identify relatives of the unknown individual.

Such methods have played key roles in solving high-profile cases in recent years, allowing investigators to identify suspects even when direct matches are not initially available.

Nancy Guthrie was last seen on the night of January 31 after being dropped off at her Tucson home following dinner with family members. Surveillance footage later released by authorities showed a masked individual approaching her front door that same evening. Guthrie has not been seen since.

Investigators have pursued multiple leads over the past two weeks, including executing search warrants, detaining individuals for questioning, and collecting forensic evidence from several locations across southern Arizona.

The neighborhood where Guthrie lived presents unique investigative challenges. The homes are spaced far apart, surrounded by dense desert vegetation, and located on dark, winding roads with limited surveillance coverage. Investigators have said the terrain could have allowed someone familiar with the area to approach or leave undetected.

Authorities have also requested video footage from homes and businesses within a two-mile radius of Guthrie’s residence, including recordings dating back to early January, suggesting investigators believe the suspect may have conducted prior surveillance.

Despite the recent developments, law enforcement officials have not confirmed whether Friday night’s detentions will lead directly to charges.

Officials have emphasized that the investigation remains active and ongoing.

Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance has drawn national attention due to her connection to her daughter, television journalist Savannah Guthrie, and has prompted an outpouring of support from the Tucson community.

As forensic analysis continues and investigators examine evidence collected during the SWAT raid, authorities hope the latest developments will bring them closer to determining what happened—and potentially locating Guthrie.

For now, the case remains unresolved, but investigators appear to be narrowing their focus as new evidence emerges.