Person of Interest Detained in Connection With Nancy Guthrie Disappearance
A person of interest has been detained for questioning in connection with the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of Today co-anchor Savannah Guthrie. The Pima County Sheriff’s Department confirmed that the individual was taken into custody south of Tucson, Arizona, in coordination with the FBI.
Authorities told ABC News that investigators are preparing to search a specific location linked to the detainee. Officials have not released the person’s name, age, or possible connection to Nancy Guthrie. It also remains unclear whether the individual detained is the same masked man seen in surveillance images released earlier this week.
Nancy Guthrie has been missing since Jan. 31 and is believed to have been taken from her home against her will. Law enforcement officials have characterized the case as a suspected kidnapping. Family members have emphasized that she requires daily medication and has been without it since her disappearance.
On Tuesday morning, the Pima County Sheriff’s Department released still images from surveillance footage showing what they described as an armed individual wearing a ski mask outside Nancy Guthrie’s residence on the morning she vanished. The individual appears to be tampering with a doorbell camera. Authorities said the images were obtained after several days of forensic work conducted with private-sector technology partners.
According to the department, the footage had initially been inaccessible due to the removal of recording devices and possible data corruption. Investigators ultimately recovered the video from residual backend system data. Officials have not stated whether the camera was disabled before or after the suspected abduction occurred.
In a video posted to social media on Feb. 8, Savannah Guthrie and her siblings appeared to address a possible ransom demand. “We received your message, and we understand,” Guthrie said in the recording, without providing further detail about the communication. She pleaded for her mother’s safe return, stating, “We beg you now to return our mother to us so that we can celebrate with her.” She added, “This is the only way we will have peace. This is very valuable to us. And we will pay.”
Authorities have not publicly confirmed the existence of a ransom note, and law enforcement officials have declined to discuss the specifics of any communications received by the family.
On Feb. 9, Savannah Guthrie posted a separate video urging the public to assist in locating her mother. She said law enforcement was “working tirelessly around the clock” but described the situation as urgent. “We are at an hour of desperation, and we need your help,” she said.
Investigators have continued to canvass the area surrounding Nancy Guthrie’s home and have asked anyone with information about suspicious activity in the neighborhood around Jan. 31 to come forward. Law enforcement officials have not disclosed whether there are additional suspects.
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department said the investigation remains active and ongoing. Further details will be released as they are confirmed.
