A person has been taken into custody for questioning in connection with the disappearance of an 84-year-old woman from her Arizona home. The individual was detained during a traffic stop in Rio Rico, Arizona, an area near the U.S.-Mexico border, following a multi-agency investigation involving local authorities and the FBI.
The woman was last seen at her residence on a Saturday in late January. Investigators believe she was taken from her home in the early morning hours the following day. The case drew significant public attention after a ransom note was delivered to several media outlets, which included instructions involving a cryptocurrency payment.
In a recent development, activity was detected in the digital currency account specified in that ransom demand. While the exact sum transferred was not officially confirmed by investigators, reports indicate a payment was made.
Prior to this detention, federal authorities had released surveillance footage showing a masked individual outside the victim’s home around the time of the alleged abduction. The family has publicly expressed their belief that she is alive and pleaded for her safe return.
It remains unclear if the detained individual is the person seen in that footage. Officials have stated the person is not a member of the victim’s family. As of now, no formal charges have been filed, and the individual is being held for questioning. Authorities are also preparing to search a location linked to the person in custody.
The investigation continues as law enforcement works to locate the missing woman.