Nancy Guthrie Kidnapping: Person Detained and Released After FBI Releases Masked Suspect Footage
In a significant development in the Nancy Guthrie kidnapping case, a person was detained for questioning on Tuesday, hours after the FBI released surveillance videos showing a masked individual outside Guthrie's home in Tucson, Arizona. The Pima County Sheriff's Department reported that officers detained the person during a traffic stop south of Tucson, but did not provide immediate details about the individual or the location.
Detainee's Account and Authorities' Response
News outlets later interviewed a man who claimed he was the one detained and released. He identified himself only by his first name, stating he lives in Rio Rico and works as a delivery driver in Tucson. According to his account, he and his wife pulled over when they noticed police following them, and he was innocent, with police releasing him after several hours of questioning. However, local and federal authorities have not confirmed that the person they picked up was released, and his story could not be independently verified.
The FBI referred questions to the sheriff's office, which, along with the FBI, conducted a court-authorized search Tuesday night at a location in Rio Rico, about an hour's drive south of Tucson. The search was expected to take several hours, intensifying efforts in the case that has gripped the nation since Guthrie, 84, disappeared on February 1.
Surveillance Footage Details
The surveillance videos released by the FBI show a person wearing a ski mask and a backpack, with a handgun holster visible. The individual is seen tilting their head down and away from a doorbell camera while approaching Guthrie's front door, holding a flashlight in their mouth, and attempting to cover the camera with a gloved hand and part of a plant ripped from the yard. The footage, less than a combined minute in length, provides the first glimpse of who was outside Guthrie's home but does not reveal what happened to her or whether she is still alive.
FBI Director Kash Patel stated that the "armed individual" appeared to "have tampered with the camera," though it was not entirely clear if there was a gun in the holster. The videos were recovered from "back-end systems" after investigators spent days trying to find lost, corrupted, or inaccessible images. Former FBI agent Katherine Schweit commented that such footage can generate leads, as even covered individuals reveal details like girth and facial shape.
Intensified Search and Family Pleas
Authorities have intensified search activities, with vehicles blocking Guthrie's driveway and law enforcement officers going door-to-door in the area where her daughter Annie Guthrie lives, including searching drainage areas and culverts. Investigators believe Nancy Guthrie was taken against her will, with DNA tests confirming blood on her porch was hers. The doorbell camera was disconnected early on February 1, and initially, no footage could be recovered due to lack of an active subscription, but officials continued working to retrieve data.
The Guthrie family, including Savannah Guthrie and her siblings, have released urgent video statements pleading for their mother's return and indicating willingness to pay a ransom. Savannah Guthrie posted the surveillance images on social media, asserting the family believes their mother is still alive and providing contact numbers for authorities. In a recent video, she expressed desperation, saying, "We are at an hour of desperation. We need your help."
National Attention and Federal Involvement
The case has attracted widespread national attention, with White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt noting that President Donald Trump watched the footage with "pure disgust" and encouraged information sharing. The FBI has posted digital billboards about the case in major cities from Texas to California. However, FBI spokesperson Connor Hagan said Monday that the agency is not aware of ongoing communication between the family and suspected kidnappers and has not identified any suspects.
For now, the newly released footage offers a visual clue but leaves unanswered the central questions of Nancy Guthrie's whereabouts and condition. The investigation continues as authorities pursue leads and the family maintains hope for her safe return.
