Investigators Plead for Surveillance Footage in Nancy Guthrie Case
Investigators are making a desperate plea to the public to share home surveillance camera footage from specific dates leading up to the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie. This request comes as authorities sift through thousands of tips in a determined effort to crack the case involving the missing mother of "Today" show host Savannah Guthrie. The current status of the investigation remains unclear as of Thursday.
Fresh Leads and Setbacks in the Investigation
Recent developments had initially raised hopes for a breakthrough. New surveillance images emerged showing a masked individual on Nancy Guthrie's porch on the night she vanished, accompanied by intense police activity across Arizona and the detention of a suspect. However, those hopes were dashed when the man was released after questioning, leaving the investigation at a critical juncture.
On Wednesday, FBI agents were observed conducting searches in the Tucson area, braving the 80-degree Fahrenheit (27-degree Celsius) heat with water bottles in hand. They meticulously combed through rocks and desert vegetation at Guthrie's home and expanded their efforts to a neighborhood approximately one mile (1.6 kilometers) away. There, they knocked on doors and searched through cactuses, brush, and boulders.
Specific Requests for Video Evidence
Ann Adams, a neighbor of Nancy Guthrie's other daughter, Annie Guthrie, provided insight into the investigators' inquiries. She reported that authorities asked general questions about any information related to the case and requested permission to inspect properties, including checking cameras. Specifically, they sought footage from January 31 and the morning of February 1, as well as any suspicious activity captured on cameras since then. Annie Guthrie resides several miles away from her mother.
Authorities have confirmed that Nancy Guthrie, aged 84, was taken against her will and has been missing since February 1. DNA tests have identified blood on her porch as hers, and there is grave concern for her health as she requires several medications, with the risk of death if she goes without them.
Expanded Search and Digital Appeals
In a digital outreach effort, news stations in Tucson reported that Ring doorbell camera users in the area received alerts requesting footage from January 11 between 9 p.m. and midnight—nearly three weeks before Guthrie's disappearance. Ring's platform allows local public safety agencies to submit such requests to users via the "Neighbors" feed, notifying those in designated areas.
Additionally, during the search, agents recovered a pair of black gloves, which have been submitted for DNA analysis. The Pima County Sheriff's Department announced that several hundred detectives and agents are now assigned to the investigation, which is expanding across the region.
Family Involvement and Ransom Concerns
Longtime NBC host Savannah Guthrie and her siblings have expressed a willingness to pay a ransom for their mother's safe return. However, it remains uncertain whether ransom notes with expired deadlines are authentic or if the family has had any contact with the abductors.
The investigation saw a significant development when the FBI released black-and-white images and videos depicting an armed individual tampering with the camera at Nancy Guthrie's front door on the morning of her disappearance. FBI Director Kash Patel noted that investigators spent days recovering lost or corrupted images, and while the person's face is not visible, they hope someone will recognize the individual. Over 4,000 calls flooded the Pima County sheriff's tip line within a 24-hour period, underscoring the public's engagement in the case.
