Suspect Detained in Nancy Guthrie Disappearance Case as FBI Shares New Evidence
In a significant development in the search for Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of "Today" co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, authorities have detained a person for questioning. This comes as the Pima County Sheriff's Department and the FBI released new surveillance footage and photos depicting a masked and "armed" individual outside her Arizona residence.
New Surveillance Footage Reveals Masked Intruder
The footage, made public on Tuesday, shows an armed person who appears to have tampered with the camera at Nancy Guthrie's front door. Sheriff Chris Nanos confirmed that a suspect was detained during a traffic stop in Rio Rico, south of Tucson, near the US-Mexico border. However, it has not been confirmed whether this individual is the same person seen in the video.
Nancy Guthrie was last seen at her home on January 31, with authorities believing she was abducted in the early hours of February 1. The investigation has now entered its tenth day, with law enforcement intensifying efforts to locate her.
FBI Investigates Ransom Note and Launches Webpage
The FBI is actively investigating reports of a ransom note sent to media outlets, demanding $6 million. Two deadlines mentioned in the note have since passed, and the agency stated it is "not aware of any continued communication" between the Guthrie family and the suspected kidnappers. To aid the investigation, the FBI has launched a dedicated webpage detailing the case, which includes the missing person poster and the newly-released surveillance footage.
A $50,000 reward is being offered for information leading to Nancy Guthrie's recovery or the arrest and conviction of those involved in her disappearance.
Family's Emotional Appeals and Public Response
Savannah Guthrie and her siblings have been vocal in their pleas for their mother's safe return. They have shared multiple videos on social media, urging the abductors to make contact. Savannah posted the new footage on Instagram, writing, "We believe she is still alive. Bring her home."
The Pima County Sheriff's Department reported an uptick in calls following the release of the footage, prompting them to ask the public to keep 911 lines open for emergencies and submit tips through designated channels.
Expert Analysis and Ongoing Searches
Former FBI deputy director Andrew McCabe suggested that the release of the surveillance footage could mark a turning point in the investigation, emphasizing the need for crowdsourcing to identify the masked individual. Meanwhile, police canvassed the neighborhood of Annie Guthrie, one of Nancy's daughters, as part of their ongoing search efforts.
In a related development, former FBI deputy director Dan Bongino returned to Fox News to discuss the case, highlighting its national attention. The investigation continues with authorities urging anyone with information to contact the Pima County Sheriff's Department or the FBI immediately.
