KEY POINT
- Law enforcement released surveillance stills of a masked individual interfering with the front door camera at Guthrie’s residence.
- The person appeared armed and carried a backpack, according to FBI and Pima County Sheriff’s Department officials.
- Authorities have not identified any suspects and are urging the public to provide tips.
TUCSON, Arizona — Authorities released images Tuesday showing a masked, armed individual at the home of 84‑year‑old Nancy Guthrie, who has been missing since Feb. 1. The images, captured by a doorbell camera, show the person appearing to tamper with the device shortly before Guthrie disappeared, officials said.
The release of the images comes nearly ten days after Nancy Guthrie was last seen in her Tucson home. Her disappearance has attracted widespread attention due to her age and health.
Federal and local law enforcement agencies are treating the case as a potential abduction and have appealed to the public for information regarding the individual seen on surveillance footage.
Nancy Guthrie was last seen on Jan. 31 when family members dropped her at her home in the Catalina Foothills area. The next morning, relatives reported her missing after she did not attend a scheduled engagement. Investigators later discovered traces of her blood near the front porch, prompting officials to consider foul play.
The doorbell camera at her home was found disabled in the early hours of Feb. 1, shortly before she vanished. Officials said the recently released images were recovered from the camera’s cloud storage.
Experts say the images could provide critical leads in identifying potential suspects.Dr. Emily Sanchez, a criminologist at the University of Arizona, said, “Tampering with surveillance equipment is often a deliberate attempt to avoid detection. Investigators will look for distinguishing features such as posture, gait, and clothing to cross check with other evidence.
Michael Rowe, a former FBI agent, added, “Even partial visual information can be useful. Publicly releasing these images increases the chances that someone with knowledge of the individual will come forward.”
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said during a briefing, “We are asking anyone who recognizes the person in these images to contact law enforcement immediately. Every lead counts.”
FBI Director Kash Patel said, “These images are a key piece of evidence. We encourage the public to review them and provide any information that could assist in locating Nancy Guthrie.”
Savannah Guthrie, Nancy’s daughter and co-host of NBC’s “Today” show, also issued a public statement asking for help. “We are hopeful that someone recognizes this individual,” she said. “Please share any information with law enforcement.”
Investigators plan to cross-reference the images with local traffic and security cameras. Authorities are also reviewing tips from the public and analyzing forensic evidence collected from the home. At this stage, law enforcement has not confirmed any suspects and continues to urge public participation.
The release of the surveillance images represents a significant development in the ongoing search for Nancy Guthrie. While authorities have not identified a suspect, the case remains an active investigation with multiple agencies coordinating efforts to locate her and ensure public safety.
