The search for Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of U.S. journalist Savannah Guthrie, has attracted online personalities and led to citations for public nuisance and obstructing public thoroughfares, according to court documents. The Pima County Sheriff's Department has cautioned against unauthorized citizen search parties near the Catalina Foothills residence where Guthrie was last seen.
FBI records indicate Guthrie was last seen at her home on the evening of January 31, 2026. Her disappearance is being investigated as a potential kidnapping for ransom.
True-crime YouTubers and online sleuths began converging on the area, broadcasting from near the search scene. Among those cited was Alexander Zabel Jr., also known online as "CriminalNetwork." Deputies responded to a traffic hazard on May 26 and encountered Zabel, who allegedly had placed traffic cones on the road next to his belongings, including a tripod used for livestreaming. His YouTube stream reportedly showed him on the roadway. A subsequent citation on June 6 alleged Zabel set up a "pee tent" on the road, creating an offensive environment and obstructing the free use of property. Zabel pleaded not guilty to charges of obstructing a public thoroughfare and public nuisance, with a show-cause hearing scheduled.
Another streamer, Troy Lewis Bradshaw, known as "DAA JUICE," was cited on June 4 for allegedly obstructing a public thoroughfare. Court records for Bradshaw did not detail the specific actions that led to the obstruction charge. He pleaded not guilty to the charge, and a case management conference was held on June 16.
Damian Todd Enderle, "857 Tucson," was cited on June 8 for public nuisance. However, this charge was dismissed after the state moved to drop it, and Enderle has no further court hearings scheduled.
The Pima County Sheriff's Department and the FBI's Phoenix field office are continuing their investigation and have requested the public submit any digital information, such as photographs or doorbell camera footage, that could assist in locating Guthrie.
Information can be reported to the Pima County Sheriff’s Department at 520-351-4900 or 88-CRIME. Digital evidence can be submitted through the FBI at fbi.gov/findguthrie.