Nancy Guthrie search scene drew YouTubers, arrests and bizarre roadside claims, docs say

A true-crime YouTuber was accused of turning the street near the Nancy Guthrie search scene into a roadside livestream setup complete with traffic cones, a tripod and an alleged "pee tent."The records, obtained by Fox News Digital, show misdemeanor cases involving three men who were cited or charged after law enforcement encountered livestreamers near the Catalina Foothills area connected to Guthrie’s disappearance.The FBI has said Guthrie was last seen at her residence in the Catalina Foothills neighborhood of Tucson on the evening of Jan. 31, 2026.FBI SAYS NANCY GUTHRIE ABDUCTION DEMANDS MAY BE ‘LEGITIMATE’ AS CASE STILL PROBED AS KIDNAPPING FOR RANSOMBut the missing-person investigation also drew another crowd: online sleuths, streamers and true-crime personalities who showed up in the neighborhood and broadcast from near the search scene.The most detailed allegations appear in the case against Alexander Zabel Jr., also known as CriminalNetwork, who was charged with obstructing a public thoroughfare and public nuisance, according to a Pima County Sheriff’s Department citation and misdemeanor probable-cause statement.Deputies said they responded around 4:30 p.m.
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A true-crime YouTuber was accused of turning the street near the Nancy Guthrie search scene into a roadside livestream setup complete with traffic cones, a tripod and an alleged "pee tent."The records, obtained by Fox News Digital, show misdemeanor cases involving three men who were cited or charged after law enforcement encountered livestreamers near the Catalina Foothills area connected to Guthrie’s disappearance.The FBI has said Guthrie was last seen at her residence in the Catalina Foothills neighborhood of Tucson on the evening of Jan. 31, 2026.FBI SAYS NANCY GUTHRIE ABDUCTION DEMANDS MAY BE ‘LEGITIMATE’ AS CASE STILL PROBED AS KIDNAPPING FOR RANSOMBut the missing-person investigation also drew another crowd: online sleuths, streamers and true-crime personalities who showed up in the neighborhood and broadcast from near the search scene.The most detailed allegations appear in the case against Alexander Zabel Jr., also known as CriminalNetwork, who was charged with obstructing a public thoroughfare and public nuisance, according to a Pima County Sheriff’s Department citation and misdemeanor probable-cause statement.Deputies said they responded around 4:30 p.m. on May 26 to a traffic hazard and contacted Zabel, who was allegedly sitting in a lawn chair.NANCY GUTHRIE MYSTERY COULD BE SOLVED WITH 'CROWDSOURCING' HELP, PRIVATE EYE SAYSThe probable-cause statement says Zabel intentionally placed traffic cones in the road next to his personal belongings, including a tripod he was using to livestream. Deputies wrote that Zabel’s YouTube livestream also showed him on the roadway.The same probable-cause statement says that on June 6, Zabel set up a "pee tent" on the road "insinuating that he was urinating" and creating an unpleasant environment for surrounding neighbors.Deputies wrote that, because of the "sensitivity & proximity to the high-profile address," Zabel created an offensive setting in the middle of the neighborhood and obstructed the free use of property.SAVANNAH GUTHRIE PLEADS FOR TIPS AS RANSOM NOTE CLAIMS MOM IS DEAD: 'SOMEBODY KNOWS SOMETHING'SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST TRUE CRIME NEWSZabel was cited for two misdemeanor counts including obstructing a public thoroughfare and public nuisance, both marked as criminal offenses.Zabel pleaded not guilty to both counts.
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- A true-crime YouTuber was accused of turning the street near the Nancy Guthrie search scene into a roadside livestream setup complete with traffic cones, a tripod and an alleged "pee tent."The records, obtained by Fox News Digital, show misdemeanor cases involving three men who were cited or charged after law enforcement encountered livestreamers near the Catalina Foothills area connected to Guthrie’s disappearance.The FBI has said Guthrie was last seen at her residence in the Catalina Foothills neighborhood of Tucson on the evening of Jan. 31, 2026.FBI SAYS NANCY GUTHRIE ABDUCTION DEMANDS MAY BE ‘LEGITIMATE’ AS CASE STILL PROBED AS KIDNAPPING FOR RANSOMBut the missing-person investigation also drew another crowd: online sleuths, streamers and true-crime personalities who showed up in the neighborhood and broadcast from near the search scene.The most detailed allegations appear in the case against Alexander Zabel Jr., also known as CriminalNetwork, who was charged with obstructing a public thoroughfare and public nuisance, according to a Pima County Sheriff’s Department citation and misdemeanor probable-cause statement.Deputies said they responded around 4:30 p.m.
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- 9m ago.
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Nancy Guthrie search scene drew YouTubers, arrests and bizarre roadside claims, docs say
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