According to Wichita police, the mystery viral doorbell video showing a woman in distress as she is seemingly abducted has been solved, and what really happened is far more concerning than an internet hoax.
The woman seen in doorbell security footage approaching a stranger’s front door before a man suddenly grabs her from behind has been located and is safe, Wichita police said. Investigators say she came forward on Tuesday afternoon, October 14, 2025, after seeing widespread true-crime coverage of the case.
“A case of domestic violence”
Wichita PD identified her as a 35-year-old woman from the same neighborhood where the incident happened. After interviewing her, detectives determined that the incident was related to an ongoing domestic violence case involving her boyfriend, not a random crime.
“Investigators received a phone call from a female claiming to be the individual investigators were attempting to identify,” Wichita police said in a statement. “They immediately responded to her location, made contact, and transported her to City Hall for further investigation.”
The statement added, “At this stage of the investigation, we believe this incident is a case of domestic violence between the female and her boyfriend. The female does not have any significant injuries.”
An arrest made
Wichita’s Domestic Intervention and Violence Reduction Team (DIVRT) later announced the arrest of a 22-year-old man in connection with the incident. He was booked into the Sedgwick County Jail on multiple charges, including Aggravated Battery Strangulation, two counts of Domestic Simple Battery, and Criminal Restraint.
Police say the suspect’s name will be released after the Sedgwick County District Attorney reviews the case for formal charging consideration. The department reiterated that the case does not pose an ongoing threat to the community.
Authorities are urging anyone experiencing domestic violence or who suspects someone they know may be in danger to reach out for help. Local resources include the Wichita Family Crisis Center, and the National Domestic Violence Hotline is available 24/7 at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).
The Wichita Police Department says the investigation remains active and that further updates will be provided once charges are filed.
The viral footage
The unsettling doorbell footage, which circulated widely across Facebook, Reddit, and X, showed the woman approaching a stranger’s porch at around 2 a.m. before a man grabbed her from behind and dragged her off. The homeowner didn’t recognize her and contacted the police, prompting investigators to release still images asking for the public’s help in identifying her.
Within hours, the clip spread nationally, fueling speculation that the woman might have been abducted or otherwise involved in a violent encounter. Police said the intense public attention likely encouraged her to reach out.
“We want to thank the public for sharing the video and still images that generated additional attention about this incident,” officials said. “We do believe it led the female to call us saying she was the person we were looking for.”
Published: Oct 16, 2025 05:47 am