Fact Check: Was a deputy linked to the Nancy Guthrie probe arrested in her kidnapping case?

TUCSON, ARIZONA: Amid the intense police search for TV journalist Savannah Guthrie’s 84-year-old mother, Nancy Guthrie, who has been missing since January 31, several updates and rumors have been circulating online. One recent rumor claimed that a deputy connected to the investigation had been arrested in relation to her kidnapping. However, Nancy remains missing, and this unverified claim has spread rapidly across the internet, with many people believing it. Let’s fact-check the claim.

Claim: A deputy was arrested in Nancy Guthrie’s kidnapping case

A viral rumor circulating on X, shared by user @letstalkliveytc, started with the question, "Could this be Nancy Guthrie's kidnapper?" The post then claimed, "@KVOA reports: Travis Reynolds, 22, a deputy with the Pima County Sheriff’s Department, has been arrested and charged with kidnapping." It added, "The department confirmed he was fired after being notified of the arrest by the Tucson Police Department."

The statement further alleged that "Reynolds is currently being held on a $200,000 bond." It also said, "According to prosecutors, the case raises additional concern because of Reynolds’ position in law enforcement and the alleged power imbalance between him and the victim."

The post continued, "The state also indicated there is evidence suggesting this may not have been an isolated incident." It also mentioned a court date, stating, "A preliminary hearing is scheduled for April 6."

The post concluded by saying, "Details remain limited at this time. News 4 Tucson said it will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available." The post included a collage featuring an alleged image of Deputy Reynolds from prison, alongside another image that the FBI reportedly recovered from Nancy’s doorbell camera in the days following the start of the investigation.

Fact Check: Deputy Travis Reynolds was arrested in a separate case involving a female detainee

Yes, 22-year-old Pima County Sheriff’s Deputy Travis Reynolds was arrested and fired on March 27, 2026, for allegedly kidnapping a female detainee in his patrol car. However, this incident is not connected to the Nancy Guthrie kidnapping case.

Although Reynolds worked in the same department handling the Guthrie investigation, his arrest is related to a separate case involving someone in his custody. Claims about his $200,000 bond are also true, but they are linked to this separate case, not Nancy’s.

The Pima County Sheriff’s Department confirmed that Reynolds was dismissed after the Tucson Police Department arrested him. He appeared in court on Friday, where a judge set his bond at $200,000. His next court appearance, a preliminary hearing, is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on April 6.

While the two cases are unrelated, Reynolds’ arrest has increased scrutiny on how the department is handling the high-profile Guthrie investigation. Meanwhile, in Nancy’s case, more than a month has passed with no suspects identified, and she is still missing. The FBI has joined the Pima County Sheriff’s Department to assist with the investigation.

Despite there being no confirmed link, the arrest has generated significant online attention. A photo of Reynolds has been released, and some people are comparing his appearance to the masked person seen in footage from Nancy Guthrie’s doorbell camera.