New Surveillance Footage and FBI Search Intensify Hunt for Missing Mother of NBC Host
Fresh surveillance images from Nancy Guthrie's porch on the night she vanished, combined with intense police activity across Arizona and the brief detention of a man, had initially raised hopes that authorities were nearing a major breakthrough in the case. However, by Wednesday, the man was released after questioning, leaving the investigation into the disappearance of the 84-year-old mother of "Today" show host Savannah Guthrie in a state of uncertainty.
Massive FBI Search Operation Underway
FBI agents fanned out across a neighborhood approximately one mile from Guthrie's home in Tucson on Wednesday morning, methodically knocking on doors and conducting thorough searches through the dense desert terrain filled with cactus, bushes, and boulders. The Pima County Sheriff's Department confirmed that several hundred detectives and agents are now assigned to the investigation, which is actively expanding throughout the Tucson area.
Barb Dutrow, who was jogging through one of the neighborhoods where search teams were deployed, reported that an FBI agent informed her they were looking for any items that might have been discarded from a vehicle. Dutrow, visiting from Louisiana for a convention, expressed deep sympathy, stating she "can't imagine the feeling of the family of having their mother taken."
Detained Man Released as Investigation Takes a Twist
A day earlier, authorities had stopped a man near the U.S.-Mexico border, just hours after the FBI released videos depicting a person wearing a gun holster, ski mask, and backpack approaching Nancy Guthrie's residence. The man told media outlets early Wednesday that he was released after several hours of questioning and asserted he had no involvement in Guthrie's disappearance last week.
Authorities have not disclosed what specifically led them to detain the man on Tuesday but confirmed his release. The sheriff's department also revealed that its deputies and FBI agents conducted searches at a location in Rio Rico, a city south of Tucson where the man resides.
Surveillance Images Mark First Significant Break in Case
This development represents the latest twist in an investigation that has captivated the nation since Nancy Guthrie disappeared on February 1. Until Tuesday, it appeared authorities were making minimal progress in determining her fate or identifying those responsible.
The black and white images released by the FBI, showing a masked individual attempting to cover a doorbell camera on Guthrie's porch, marked the first significant break in the case. However, these images did not reveal what ultimately happened to her or provide clarity on whether she remains alive.
FBI Director Kash Patel explained that investigators spent days meticulously trying to recover lost, corrupted, or otherwise inaccessible footage. Despite the images not showing the person's face, investigators remain hopeful that someone will recognize the individual on the porch. The Pima County sheriff's tip line received over 4,000 calls within the past 24 hours, the department reported Wednesday afternoon.
Family Holds Out Hope and Faces Ransom Demands
Authorities have maintained for more than a week that they believe Nancy Guthrie was taken against her will. She was last seen at home on January 31 and reported missing the following day. DNA tests confirmed that blood found on her porch belonged to her.
Savannah Guthrie posted the new surveillance images on social media, expressing the family's belief that their mother is still alive. The longtime NBC host and her two siblings have indicated a willingness to pay a ransom if necessary.
It remains unclear whether ransom notes demanding money with deadlines that have already passed are authentic, and whether the family has had any contact with the individuals responsible for Guthrie's abduction. TMZ reported receiving a message Wednesday from someone claiming to know the kidnapper's identity, who unsuccessfully attempted to reach Savannah Guthrie's brother and sister. This individual requested bitcoin in exchange for the information, according to TMZ. The FBI did not immediately respond to a request for comment on this matter.
Health Concerns Add Urgency to Search
Authorities have emphasized that Nancy Guthrie requires several medications, raising concerns from the outset that she could face life-threatening consequences without them. This medical necessity adds a critical layer of urgency to the ongoing search efforts as investigators race against time to locate her and bring her home safely.
