Pima County deputies arrested 54-year-old Alexander Zabel Jr. outside Nancy Guthrie’s home Thursday evening, charging him with resisting arrest and public nuisance. The sheriff’s office said the arrest did not appear tied to the disappearance of “Today” anchor
Thursday evening, deputies with the Pima County Sheriff’s Department arrested 54-year-old Alexander Zabel Jr. directly in front of Nancy Guthrie’s home, according to a statement shared by the sheriff’s office on X.
The department said the arrest came on June 11, 2026, just before 5 p.m., after it received several complaints about Zabel’s behavior. At the time deputies made contact, Zabel was live streaming from outside the residence. During the arrest process, a PCSD sergeant was knocked to the ground.
Zabel was taken into custody without further incident and booked into the Pima County Adult Detention Complex. He is facing charges of resisting arrest, a Class 6 felony, and public nuisance, a Class 2 misdemeanor.
The sheriff’s office also addressed how this arrest fits into the broader investigation surrounding Nancy Guthrie, who has been missing for months. The department said the arrest did not appear to be tied to the disappearance of Savannah Guthrie’s missing mother.
The update landed hours after the sheriff’s department spoke about a different lead connected to the same case: an anonymous tip that prompted a search for a grave site in Mexico.
“We are aware of reports regarding an anonymous tip related to the Nancy Guthrie investigation that was provided to a group in Mexico. ” the sheriff’s office said earlier on Thursday. “At this time. we have not been contacted by Mexican authorities.” The statement added that the investigation “remains active and ongoing” and that the department would continue to follow up on “any credible information.”.
Ramona Guadalupe Ayala Ortiz. the head of Buscando Corazones Nogales—an organization known for helping locate missing people in Mexico—previously told El Imparcial that her group received the tip on Wednesday. Ayala Ortiz said the anonymous information claimed Nancy Guthrie. described as 84 years old. was buried in an unmarked grave near the border. after she was allegedly taken from her Tucson. Ariz. home back in February.
That Mexico search came up empty.
Nancy Guthrie was last seen on the evening of Jan. 31, when family dropped her off at her Tucson home after dinner and a game night. By late-midday on Feb. 1. she was reported missing after she did not show up at a friend’s place to watch a virtual church service. Investigators later shared that they believed she was taken against her will.
The case has included disturbing footage: Guthrie’s security camera, which had been disabled, later revealed images of a man wearing a ski mask, jacket, gloves, and a backpack outside the property. FBI Phoenix later described the suspect as a male approximately 5’9”–5’10” with an average build.
Savannah Guthrie, along with her siblings, has made public pleas for Nancy Guthrie’s safe return. No one has been arrested or named a suspect in connection with Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance, despite multiple searches, analyzed DNA, alleged ransom notes, and other investigative activity.
Pima County Sheriff’s Department Nancy Guthrie Savannah Guthrie Alexander Zabel Jr. resisting arrest public nuisance Tucson missing person Mexico tip Buscando Corazones Nogales FBI Phoenix