KEY POINT
- Investigators recovered previously inaccessible footage from Google Nest backend systems, showing a masked person at Guthrie’s front door.
- The camera was disconnected and lacked an active cloud subscription, making recovery a technical challenge.
- A person has been detained for questioning in connection with the case, though no charges have been filed.
TUCSON, Ariz. — Investigators said Tuesday they successfully recovered video from Nancy Guthrie’s Google Nest doorbell camera, revealing a masked individual near her home shortly before she went missing.
The footage, obtained through backend system recovery rather than directly from the device, marks a significant step in the ongoing investigation into the disappearance of the 84 year old mother of television host Savannah Guthrie.
The recovered footage, released by the FBI and the Pima County Sheriff’s Department, shows a masked individual approaching and interacting with Guthrie’s doorbell camera on the night she disappeared.
Authorities said the video provides the first clear visual evidence of activity near her home before the disappearance, offering critical information for investigators.
Nancy Guthrie was last seen on the evening of January 31 in her home near Tucson’s Catalina Foothills neighborhood. When she did not attend planned engagements the next day, family members reported her missing. Investigators later confirmed that blood found at the scene matched her DNA, prompting an active investigation.
Initially, authorities believed no video existed from the Google Nest device because Guthrie did not have an active cloud subscription, and the camera had been disconnected. Law enforcement then collaborated with technology partners to attempt forensic recovery of the data.
Digital forensics experts explained that even disconnected or unsubscribed devices can leave residual data in company servers for a limited time.
Dr. Laura Sims, a digital forensics director at the International Institute of Technology, said, “Cloud systems sometimes retain video fragments temporarily, even if users cannot access them. These can be crucial in investigations.”
Privacy expert Prof. Aisha Rahman of Georgetown University noted the legal implications: “Recovering data from backend systems raises questions about consumer privacy expectations and law enforcement access. Cases like this illustrate the balance between safety and privacy.”
Savannah Guthrie posted the recovered footage on social media, appealing for public help. “We are still hoping our mother is alive,” she said.
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos confirmed a person was detained for questioning during a traffic stop near Tucson. The individual’s identity and legal status have not been disclosed.
FBI Director Kash Patel said the bureau worked with private sector partners to retrieve the footage, emphasizing that collaboration between law enforcement and technology companies was essential.
Investigators will continue to analyze all available evidence, including the Google Nest footage, as part of their search. Forensic analysts hope the recovered video may provide identifying details about the masked individual’s movements and characteristics.
Authorities have also encouraged the public to submit any tips or related surveillance footage that might assist the investigation.
The retrieval of Nancy Guthrie’s Google Nest camera footage is a key development in a high-profile disappearance case. The video provides law enforcement with crucial visual evidence, illustrates the potential of cloud based digital forensics, and underscores the role technology can play in modern criminal investigations.
