Month: February 2026

Authorities in Pima County, working alongside the FBI, briefly took an individual into custody and later released them after questioning related to the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of “TODAY” co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, according to a law enforcement official familiar with the case who spoke with ABC News.

The person was stopped and detained during an encounter south of Tucson, and investigators conducted a search tied to that individual as part of the ongoing inquiry. In a post shared on social media, the Pima County Sheriff’s Department confirmed that deputies had “detained a subject during a traffic stop.”  Officials said the sheriff’s department, with support from the FBI’s Evidence Response Team, executed a court-approved search at a property in Rio Rico, Arizona, roughly 60 miles south of Tucson. The Pima County Sheriff’s Department said hours later it had completed the search of the property, adding that the investigation was ongoing.

Earlier on Tuesday, federal authorities released newly recovered surveillance images and videos tied to the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie as investigators intensify efforts to locate her more than a week after she vanished from her Arizona home.

The FBI and the Pima County Sheriff’s Department shared four black-and-white images and several short video clips showing a masked individual outside Guthrie’s residence near Tucson in the early hours of Feb. 1, the morning she was reported missing. The person is seen wearing gloves, a face covering, khaki pants, sneakers and a backpack, and appears to deliberately interfere with the home’s doorbell camera. In one clip, the individual approaches the front door with their head lowered; in another, they face the camera with a flashlight held in their mouth before obscuring the lens with what authorities believe to be prairie brush.

FBI Director Kash Patel said the footage depicts an “armed individual,” noting that a possible firearm can be seen holstered at the front of the person’s belt. According to investigators, the subject’s actions suggest prior knowledge of the camera’s location. No nearby vehicle is visible in the footage, though law enforcement believes one could have been parked elsewhere on the street. Patel explained that the video had initially been unavailable due to technical issues, including the removal or disruption of recording devices. The material was ultimately recovered from residual backend data with help from private-sector partners.

Authorities believe Nancy Guthrie was taken against her will. She had been dropped off at her house the night of Jan. 31 and was reported missing around noon the following day.  Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said the doorbell camera stopped functioning around 1:47 a.m. on Feb. 1. Additional data showed motion detection shortly afterward, and Nancy Guthrie’s pacemaker app disconnected from her phone at 2:28 a.m. Her phone and critical medication were later found inside the home.

Despite the release of the images, officials stressed that no suspects or persons of interest have been identified. The individual seen in the footage is currently described only as a subject investigators are trying to identify. Savannah Guthrie has repeatedly appealed to the public for assistance, sharing the FBI’s images and videos across social media. In one post, she wrote, “Someone out there recognizes this person. We believe she is still out there. Bring her home.” In another emotional video message, she urged people nationwide to report anything unusual, saying, “We are at an hour of desperation, and we need your help.”

According to reports, a note sent to a local television station demanded $6 million and included a threat against Nancy Guthrie’s life. The FBI, however, has said it is “not aware of any continued communication between the Guthrie family and suspected kidnappers,” and confirmed that the latest deadline tied to a bitcoin ransom has passed. Savannah Guthrie and her siblings have publicly stated they are willing to pay for their mother’s safe return. In a video alongside her brother and sister over the weekend, Savannah Guthrie addressed those responsible directly, pleading, “We beg you now to return our mother to us so that we can celebrate with her. This is the only way we will have peace. This is very valuable to us, and we will pay.”

The FBI is also offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to Nancy Guthrie’s recovery or a conviction related to her disappearance. Agents from across the country have been deployed to support the search, and a 24-hour command post remains active in Tucson. Anyone with information is urged to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or the Pima County Sheriff’s Department at 520-351-4900.

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Republican gubernatorial hopeful Jeff Johnson has suspended his Minnesota governor campaign after his 22-year-old daughter, Hallie Marie Tobler, was found fatally stabbed in her St. Cloud apartment over the weekend.

St. Cloud police say officers responded to a medical emergency call Saturday night and discovered Hallie dead from multiple stab wounds inside a locked apartment. Her husband, 23-year-old Dylan Tobler, was also found at the scene with serious injuries that investigators believe were self-inflicted. Authorities have said he is believed to be “the person responsible for Hallie’s injuries and death.” He remains hospitalized in stable condition under police custody and is expected to be transferred to jail once released. On Tuesday, Dylan Tobler was charged with one count of second-degree murder in connection with his wife’s killing. It is not immediately clear if Dylan Tobler was released from the hospital as of Tuesday morning; and his attorney did not immediately return a request for comment. Hallie Tobler and her husband had been together for several years before marrying in late 2021, according to family.

Johnson, a former St. Cloud city council member, launched his bid for the Republican nomination for governor last year and was part of a crowded GOP field. Following the killing, the Minnesota Republican Party confirmed he was stepping away from the race. The party said in a statement: “There are no words that can adequately express the sorrow we feel for Jeff and his family. The loss of a child is unimaginable, and our thoughts and prayers are with them as they grieve this devastating tragedy.” The party added, “We ask all Minnesotans to join us in lifting up the Johnson family during this incredibly painful time.”

The tragedy also prompted an outpouring of condolences from across Minnesota’s political spectrum. Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar shared, “My condolences to Jeff Johnson and his entire family for the loss of their daughter on Saturday night. John and I are praying for all those who loved her during this unimaginably difficult time.”

Police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the stabbing and have asked anyone with information to contact local authorities or submit tips through Crime Stoppers.

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Ghislaine Maxwell declined to answer any questions during a closed-door, virtual deposition with the House Oversight Committee on Monday, repeatedly invoking her Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination as lawmakers pressed her about Jeffrey Epstein and possible accomplices. Maxwell was convicted in 2021 of helping Epstein recruit, groom, and abuse underage girls over a period of years. Epstein died by suicide in a New York jail in 2019 while awaiting trial.

Maxwell, who is serving a 20-year federal prison sentence for sex trafficking offenses connected to Epstein, appeared remotely from a minimum-security prison in Texas. Her refusal to testify had been widely anticipated, given that she has a legal petition pending in federal court seeking to overturn her conviction or reduce her sentence. House Oversight Chairman James Comer confirmed Maxwell’s stance afterward, telling reporters, “As expected, Ghislaine Maxwell took the Fifth and refused to answer any questions. This obviously is very disappointing.” He added that she had an opportunity to address questions central to the committee’s probe but chose not to cooperate.

Maxwell’s attorney, David Markus, delivered a prepared statement to the panel explaining that his client could not speak while her court challenge remains active. However, he said Maxwell would be willing to testify if granted clemency by President Trump. Markus claimed that, under those circumstances, she would provide full testimony and asserted, “For example, both President Trump and President Clinton are innocent of any wrongdoing.”

Comer rejected the idea of immunity or clemency, saying, “[I] don’t think she should be granted any type of immunity or clemency.” Ranking Democrat Rep. Robert Garcia was equally critical, stating, “After months of defying our subpoena, Ghislaine Maxwell finally appeared before the Oversight Committee and said nothing.” Garcia accused Maxwell of shielding others and described her appearance as unremorseful.

The deposition capped a months-long effort by the committee, which first subpoenaed Maxwell in July 2025. The session came the same day members of Congress were granted access to unredacted versions of Epstein-related files recently released by the Justice Department under the Epstein Files Transparency Act. Maxwell’s silence before Congress contrasted with her two-day interview last summer with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, during which she answered questions under limited immunity. According to sources familiar with that interview, she denied witnessing or participating in criminal conduct by prominent political figures.

The Oversight Committee’s investigation is continuing, with several more depositions scheduled, including testimony from individuals described as part of Epstein’s inner circle. Former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton are also expected to appear for closed-door depositions later this month after initially challenging the subpoenas.

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British police are reviewing allegations that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly Prince Andrew, passed sensitive government trade information to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein while serving as the U.K.’s special representative for international trade.

Thames Valley Police, which covers Windsor and its surrounding areas, confirmed Monday that it is examining claims stemming from newly released U.S. Justice Department documents tied to Epstein. The force said: “We can confirm receipt of this report and are assessing the information in line with our established procedures.”

The allegations center on emails from 2010 and 2011 that appear to show Mountbatten-Windsor forwarding confidential reports and briefings to Epstein shortly after receiving them from his staff. The material includes summaries of official trade visits to Vietnam, Singapore, Hong Kong and Shenzhen, as well as a Christmas Eve briefing on investment opportunities linked to the reconstruction of Helmand Province in Afghanistan. In one instance, documents sent by his special adviser were reportedly forwarded to Epstein within minutes.

Under the terms governing the role of trade envoy, officials are bound by strict confidentiality rules that extend beyond their time in office and may fall under the Official Secrets Acts. Mountbatten-Windsor held the post from 2001 to 2011.

The matter was reported to police by Graham Smith, chief executive of the anti-monarchy group Republic, which has also said it has asked lawyers to consider a private prosecution related to alleged misconduct in public office. Smith argued the claims mirror similar allegations involving other public figures named in the Epstein files.

The renewed scrutiny follows the release of millions of pages of Epstein-related documents by U.S. authorities, intensifying focus on Mountbatten-Windsor’s long-standing relationship with the financier, which continued even after Epstein’s 2008 conviction. Mountbatten-Windsor has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing connected to Epstein. Additionally, the fallout has further strained ties with the royal family. King Charles III stripped his younger brother of royal titles last year and recently required him to vacate Royal Lodge near Windsor Castle. He is now living temporarily on the king’s privately owned Sandringham estate.

Buckingham Palace said King Charles remains deeply troubled by the allegations. A palace spokesperson said “The King has made clear, in words and through unprecedented actions, his profound concern at allegations which continue to come to light in respect of Mr Mountbatten-Windsor’s conduct. While the specific claims in question are for Mr Mountbatten-Windsor to address, if we are approached by Thames Valley Police we stand ready to support them as you would expect. As was previously stated, Their Majesties’ thoughts and sympathies have been, and remain with, the victims of any and all forms of abuse.’

Prince William and Princess Catherine also issued their first response to the latest disclosures, with a spokesperson saying: “I can confirm that the Prince and Princess of Wales have been deeply concerned by the continued revelations. Their thoughts remain focused on the victims.”

A representative for Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

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