Thinking in Cases

NEW — Nearly a decade after the PCSD RICO scandal, questions remain about the department’s investigation of former Chief of Staff Brad Gagnepain’s death. Sgt. Aaron Cross shares what he says responding deputies told him and what remains unverified.

Nancy Guthrie investigation update: The Pima County Sheriff’s Department says investigators traveled to Florida earlier this month to meet with lab scientists and discuss ways to advance DNA analysis in the case. The department says the task force continues to work with its partners and reminds the public that even a small piece of information could be important. Anyone with information is asked to call 88-CRIME or 1-800-CALL-FBI.

UPDATE: Toronto police are searching for three suspects after a violent home invasion in the Bridle Path neighbourhood. David Morton, CEO of The MAC Group, and his two adult daughters were shot during the early Thursday attack. His wife, Doriana Zohil-Morton, was struck with a hammer and has since been released from hospital. Police say Morton was also struck with a hammer. Police describe the three suspects as men around 20 years old who wore dark clothing and face masks. They fled in a dark-coloured SUV and are considered armed and dangerous. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Toronto Police Hold Up Squad at 416-808-7350 or 33 Division at 416-808-3300.

UPDATE — NO INDICTMENT IN THE DEATH OF 10-MONTH-OLD SCOTTIE CROWELL A Hopkins County grand jury has decided not to indict Dr. Stacey Fazenbaker in connection with the hot-car death of her granddaughter, 10-month-old Scottie Crowell. Scottie died on August 13 after police say her grandmother was supposed to take her to daycare but instead drove to work, unintentionally leaving the baby inside the vehicle for hours. The grand jury reviewed the police investigation on October 27 and returned a “no true bill,” finding insufficient probable cause to bring criminal charges. Because grand-jury proceedings are confidential, officials have not publicly explained which evidence led to the decision. Detailed autopsy findings and the results of the grandmother’s blood test have also not been publicly disclosed. A decision not to indict does not change what happened to Scottie. It means only that the grand jury concluded the available evidence did not meet the legal threshold for criminal prosecution. Kentucky also still does not appear to require childcare providers to contact parents immediately when an expected child fails to arrive. Rest peacefully, sweet Scottie. You deserved a lifetime. 💔

🚨 Weapons Call Reported in Sahuarita Deputies responded to reports of a man threatening to leave his home and shoot people near E Pecan Orchard Loop and E Empire Canyon. According to dispatch, the man reportedly had three firearms, including an AR-style rifle, and was alone inside the home with two dogs. #Sahuarita #CommunityAlert

Four family members were injured in a violent home invasion in Toronto’s Bridle Path neighbourhood early Thursday, police say. A father and his two adult daughters were shot, and the mother was struck with a hammer. The father and one daughter suffered life-threatening injuries; the other two family members’ injuries were reported as non-life-threatening. Police say three masked suspects entered through the back of the home and fled in an SUV. The investigation is ongoing. Thinking of the family and hoping for their recovery.

UPDATE: Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee expects Christa Pike’s death sentence to remain unless courts decide otherwise, TMZ reports. That is the governor’s position - not a new court ruling authorizing another execution. #ChristaPike

UPDATE: Greenville Police have officially closed their investigation into Hayden Panettiere’s death. Police said the decision was based on the medical examiner’s determination and their investigative findings. Her death remains classified as an accident caused by the toxic effects of fentanyl and other substances. No charges were announced. It remains unclear whether the DEA’s separate inquiry into the source of the drugs is still active. Source: Associated Press

🚨 Unconfirmed report: Police activity in Sam Hughes TUCscanner is reporting a significant police presence and a helicopter circling over the Sam Hughes neighborhood in Tucson. The activity and its cause have not been independently verified. We’ll share more when reliable information becomes available. #Tucson #SamHughes #TucsonPolice

UPDATE: Savannah River Site officials say the site area emergency ended at 9:45 p.m. Wednesday after a fire at Savannah River National Laboratory near Aiken, South Carolina. The fire was extinguished, protective actions were lifted, and site barricades reopened. Officials say radiological surveys showed no detectable contamination. The cause of the fire has not been announced. Official update: public.srs.gov/2026/10/savan…

An incident at the Savannah River Site in South Carolina triggered an emergency response on October 28, according to local station WRDW. A screenshot circulating online describes an FAA flight restriction for a “U.S. government nuclear incident,” but I haven’t independently confirmed that notice. The cause, severity and any public impact remain unclear.

Where is Nancy Guthrie?

Important distinction: the FBI-released images are processed Nest camera footage, not “AI reconstructions.” Night vision, HDR, compression, and infrared lighting can distort colors, details, and the apparent shape of objects but they don’t use generative AI to invent the scene. Any AI-generated “unmasked” versions circulating online are unofficial and should not be treated as evidence.

Several shootings and reports of shots fired have been reported in Tucson today. Tucson Emergency News also reported shots fired near Sparkle Cleaners at Stone and Drachman. According to the preliminary report, police were searching for a possible suspect, and no injuries had been reported at the time. Details have not been confirmed.

UPDATE: I contacted Sgt. Aaron Cross directly about The Midwest Pundit’s claimed “significant new lead” in the Nancy Guthrie investigation. His response: “No, this is all news to me.” That doesn’t independently disprove the story, but it provides no support for the claim that this is a known law-enforcement development. Until an agency confirms it or credible evidence is produced, the account remains unverified.

Two elderly Tucson residents were hospitalized with serious injuries after an alleged home invasion on Oct. 22. According to KOLD/13 News, citing police and court documents, Henry Ernest Vega, 44, is accused of attacking his neighbors and stealing their truck. He faces charges including armed robbery, first-degree burglary and aggravated assault. These are allegations, and he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty. Wishing both victims healing and recovery. Source: kold.com/2026/10/26/tucson-m…

UPDATE: Tallahassee police arrested a 15-year-old in connection with the shooting near FAMU’s Bragg Stadium. The teen faces 11 counts of attempted second-degree murder and a firearm charge. Twelve people were injured, including 11 shot. Six victims are minors. In Sunday’s hospital update, six remained hospitalized, including one in critical condition. Police say none of the victims appear to have been intended targets. The investigation continues. Source: Action News Jax, ABC News

The Midwest Pundit claims an ICE detainee in Texas gave investigators a new lead in the #NancyGuthrie case involving two men (Hermanos) allegedly connected to restaurant work. According to his unnamed source, the men had watched the Today hometown segment, surveilled Nancy’s home and planned a burglary. They allegedly saw her leave that evening and later returned, mistakenly believing she was still gone and the house was empty and unaware she had already been brought home and gone to bed. He claims the burglary escalated after they encountered Nancy, that the informant provided investigators with a remote location, and that the two men later returned to Mexico. None of this has been confirmed by PCSD, the FBI or ICE. It remains an unverified account from an unnamed source - not a confirmed development. What are your thoughts?

🚨 Reported Gunfire Near S Swan Rd & E Old Vail Connection Rd According to 520 Scanner Watch, an officer reported hearing ongoing gunfire near the intersection and advised dispatch he would hold his position until another unit arrived. This is a scanner report; details have not been independently confirmed. The screenshot does not establish whether the situation is still active. #Tucson