RIO RICO, Ariz. – Authorities are aggressively pursuing leads in the kidnapping of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie. A person was briefly detained for questioning Tuesday near Tucson, though it remains unconfirmed whether they were later released. Simultaneously, law enforcement conducted a court-authorized search at a location in Rio Rico, approximately an hour south of Tucson, as the case enters its second week.
The Investigation Gains Momentum
The FBI released surveillance footage showing a masked individual outside Guthrie’s home on the night of her disappearance, January 31st. The footage depicts a person wearing a ski mask and backpack, seemingly tampering with a doorbell camera before approaching the door. The images, though grainy, are the first concrete visual evidence in the case.
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department confirmed that a traffic stop was made south of Tucson, resulting in questioning of an individual. The suspect, who has not been identified, was reportedly interviewed and released; however, law enforcement has not confirmed this detail.
Family Desperation and Public Appeal
Savannah Guthrie and her siblings have made a series of increasingly desperate video appeals, indicating a willingness to pay a ransom for their mother’s safe return. Authorities have described Nancy Guthrie as mentally sound but with limited mobility, relying on multiple medications. Concerns over her health are acute, given the potential for medical complications without access to her prescribed drugs.
The family’s public pleas have garnered national attention, with Savannah Guthrie posting the surveillance images on social media alongside contact numbers for the FBI and local authorities.
Technical Hurdles Overcome
Initial efforts to recover surveillance footage were hampered by technical issues, as Guthrie did not have an active subscription to her doorbell camera system. Despite this, investigators were able to retrieve images from “back-end systems” after days of troubleshooting. The recovered footage confirmed the presence of an armed individual who appeared to deliberately obscure the camera’s view.
Location and Context
The search is focused on Rio Rico, a town of 20,000 located roughly 15 miles north of the U.S.-Mexico border. This proximity raises questions about potential cross-border involvement, though investigators have not yet commented on this possibility.
Conclusion
The intensified search and questioning of a potential suspect signal a significant shift in the investigation. While the case remains far from resolved, the release of surveillance footage and the family’s public pleas demonstrate that authorities and loved ones are determined to uncover the truth behind Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance.
