Nancy Guthrie disappearance update: person detained near Tucson, FBI releases armed suspect CCTV footage, investigators plan property search as case intensifies.
Authorities have not confirmed the identity of the person seen in the video, but the release of the images has triggered widespread discussion and speculation across social media. (Photo: X/FBIDirectorKash)
Investigators have released the first surveillance footage linked to the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the mother of Today show host Savannah Guthrie. Authorities say the newly recovered video provides the clearest look yet at a mysterious individual who approached her Arizona home on January 31, the night she vanished.
The case has drawn nationwide attention as officials continue searching for answers while also questioning a detained individual connected to the investigation.
Images and videos released by the FBI show a masked person standing on the porch of Guthrie’s home. The individual appears to wear a ski mask, carry a backpack, and have what looks like a gun holster. Video clips show the person approaching the front door and attempting to cover the doorbell camera with a hand and nearby vegetation.
FBI Director Kash Patel described the complex process used to recover the footage, "Over the last eight days, the FBI and Pima County Sheriff’s Department have been working closely with our private sector partners to continue to recover any images or video footage from Nancy Guthrie’s home that may have been lost, corrupted, or inaccessible due to a variety of factors - including the removal of recording devices. The video was recovered from residual data located in backend systems."
Authorities have not confirmed the identity of the person seen in the video, but the release of the images has triggered widespread discussion and speculation across social media.
Law enforcement officers took the individual into custody for questioning following new investigative findings. According to early reports, investigators plan to search a property connected to the person as part of their ongoing probe. Officials emphasize that detention does not equal an arrest and say they will continue gathering evidence before taking further legal steps.
Law enforcement officials recently detained a person of interest south of Tucson for questioning. Officers have not made an arrest yet but plan to search a property associated with the individual. Investigators hope that physical evidence or digital data from the property could provide crucial clues about Guthrie’s disappearance.
Officials stress that the detention represents a step forward but does not mean the case is solved. Nancy Guthrie remains missing, and authorities continue to follow multiple leads simultaneously.
Investigators continue reviewing surveillance data, witness statements, and digital evidence from the scene. They aim to identify the masked individual, reconstruct movements on the night of January 31, and determine whether more people were involved. Officials encourage anyone with relevant information or additional video recordings from nearby areas to come forward.
The disturbing footage has sparked reactions across the country, including comments from former US President Donald Trump. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt described his response after viewing the surveillance video:
“His initial reaction, of course, as all Americans, is pure disgust,” Leavitt said.
Authorities confirm that Nancy Guthrie has not been located, and the investigation remains active. The newly released footage and the detention of a person of interest mark important developments, but officials say they will continue searching until they uncover definitive answers about her disappearance.
