A person who was briefly detained for questioning Tuesday evening in Rio Rico, Arizona, in connection with the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie has been released, authorities said.
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department said deputies detained an individual during a traffic stop south of Tucson, near the U.S.-Mexico border, hours after the FBI released surveillance images of a masked person wearing a handgun holster outside Guthrie’s front door the night she vanished.
Law enforcement officials later conducted a court-authorized search at a home in Rio Rico, about an hour’s drive south of Tucson. By Wednesday morning, investigators had left the residence, the scene was cleared and police tape was removed.
A man at the home identified himself to Fox News’ Matt Finn as “Carlos.” He said he was the person pulled over during the traffic stop and detained for questioning but has since been released and is back at the house.
He told Fox News he works in Tucson delivering packages and said he had nothing to do with Guthrie’s disappearance. He said investigators questioned him about his whereabouts and took his phone before ultimately letting him go.
The FBI on Tuesday released short surveillance clips showing a masked person wearing a backpack and what appeared to be a handgun holster outside Guthrie’s home the night she disappeared.
Click here to follow the latest updates in the search for Nancy Guthrie.
Pima County law enforcement was seen by Fox News leaving a home in Rio Rico, Arizona, early Wednesday after a "court-authorized search" in connection with the search for Nancy Guthrie.
The FBI and the Pima County Sheriff’s Department were involved in carrying out a “court-authorized search” at the location as part of the investigation into 84-year-old missing woman.
"Investigators have completed their search of a property in Rio Rico," the Pima County Sheriff's Department said in a statement, adding that the Nancy Guthrie investigation is "ongoing."
An individual was detained for questioning during a traffic stop on Tuesday in connection with the Guthrie case, the Pima County Sheriff’s Department said.
It's unclear if the home belonged to the person detained earlier in the evening.
{{#rendered}}New video from Tuesday evening shows the scene where a person was allegedly detained for questioning in connection with the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie.
Footage obtained by Fox News Digital from resident Krystal Bacica shows an expansive law enforcement response along a roadside in Rio Rico, Arizona.
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department said the individual was detained Tuesday following a traffic stop.
A large police presence was spotted in Rio Rico, Arizona, after a person was detained by law enforcement for questioning in connection with Nancy Guthrie's disappearance.
Rio Rico is less than 15 miles to the Port of Nogales – a premier U.S.-Mexico border gateway.
Fox News Digital's cameras captured multiple police units in an area of Rio Rico late Tuesday evening.
The FBI and the Pima County Sheriff’s Department are carrying out a "court-authorized search" at the location as part of the investigation into Guthrie’s disappearance.
A spokeswoman for the sheriff’s department said the operation is expected to last several hours.
Two sources tell Fox News Digital that a person is detained for questioning in connection to the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie.
The subject was detained after a traffic stop south of Tucson, according to the Pima County Sheriff's Department.
{{#rendered}}The FBI’s elite Hostage Rescue Team (HRT) is in Tucson, Arizona, according to a source.
A source confirmed to Fox News Digital that the team is currently on location in the area as the search continues for missing Nancy Guthrie. Authorities have not released additional details about the scope of the operation or the specific role the specialized unit will play in the ongoing search efforts.
The HRT is the FBI’s premier tactical unit deployed in high-risk and complex operations.
Retired FBI Supervisory Special Agent Jason Pack told Fox News Digital that the deployment of HRT is standard operating procedure in a high-profile kidnapping situation.
He explain that the bureau "always forward deploys in a situation like this."
Fox News Digital's Sarah Rumpf-Whitten contributed to this report.
Activity has been reported in the bitcoin account connected to the search for Nancy Guthrie, according to TMZ.
Harvey Levin claimed that within the last 15 minutes, TMZ has seen activity in the account mentioned in the original alleged ransom note for Guthrie.
When asked by CNN what kind of activity was spotted in the accout, Levin said "that's what I can't talk about."
Meanwhile, Oro Valley Police officials confirmed that members of the regional SWAT team and bomb squads have been activated for a mission with the Pima County Sheriff’s Department as point of contact, according to KGUN 9.
Ring founder Jamie Siminoff told Fox News Business' “The Bottom Line” the surveillance footage obtained in Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance was likely backed up online, allowing investigators to pinpoint a subject of interest in the case.
“I do know with Ring specifically, if you delete a recording or if you don't want a recording, you don't have a subscription, we do not have it stored. I know that because I built the systems with my team,” Siminoff said.
Siminoff said he was encouraged that footage was ultimately recovered.
"I do think this evidence is hopefully going to lead to a solution in this really tragic case.”
When asked how federal authorities may have recovered doorbell footage in this case, which involves a Nest camera, Siminoff said that many smart camera systems use cloud backups.
"Part of the importance of how we’ve built the cameras at Ring, and cameras like what you’re seeing here, is that they broadcast to a cloud backup. So even with the destruction of the camera, they were able to recover footage," he said.
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FBI Director Kash Patel publicly thanked members of his team Tuesday following a surge of activity in the investigation into the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie.
In a post shared on X, Patel expressed appreciation for agents working around the clock on the case.“Thanks to our @FBIPhoenix and Tucson team for working 24/7,” Patel wrote, sharing a photo of personnel inside a command center as they monitored developments.
Earlier in the day, Patel released images and video of what he described as an “armed individual” who appears to have tampered with a security camera at Guthrie’s front door on the morning she disappeared.
The footage quickly drew widespread attention online, with tips to investigators increasing dramatically after the release, according to NBC News.
Law enforcement officers were seen searching Tuesday near Annie Guthrie's home as the investigation into the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie continued.
Four agents were seen on foot conducting what appeared to be a systematic sweep of the area, according to Fox News correspondent Matt Finn.
The agents spent time combing through low-lying desert brush before moving to the edge of a large residential lot.
A man on one property greeted the agents and allowed them access to his backyard as the search continued.
Investigators previously carried out searches in other areas as they work to determine what happened.
SWAT armored vehicles departed the Pima County Sheriff’s parking lot Tuesday evening.
The sheriff's department also appeared to deploy Bomb Squad and Command Center vehicles.
Two sources tell Fox News Digital the SWAT roll out is related to the Nancy Guthrie case. It is unclear at this time where the SWAT vehicles went.
Fox News also observed deputies loading shields and other tactical gear before leaving. It was the first time the vehicles have moved since the search for Nancy began nine days ago.
At the same time, around 10 FBI agents were spotted outside of Annie Guthrie's home. They did not have tactical equipment.
Retired FBI Supervisory Special Agent Jason Pack tells Fox News Digital the deployment of a Bomb Squad and Command Center vehicle is standard operating procedure and they are likely taking everything they need to follow up on a lead.
Fox News Digital's Mike Ruiz contributed to this report.
{{#rendered}}Google cooperated with the FBI to retrieve video from a doorbell camera outside the home of Nancy Guthrie, a federal source confirmed to Fox News Digital.
The source also said the FBI had been working with Google for a week on the video.
Authorities had first reported the camera had been removed or disconnected, but investigators recovered the video from residual data stored in back-end systems.
Guthrie also did not have an active subscription, so none of the video could initially be recovered, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said.
On Tuesday, the FBI released photos of a potential subject in Guthrie’s disappearance.
“Over the last eight days, the FBI and the Pima County Sheriff’s Department have been working closely with our private-sector partners to continue to recover any images or video footage from Nancy Guthrie’s home that may have been lost, corrupted or inaccessible due to a variety of factors, including the removal of recording devices,” Kash Patel wrote on X.
Patel also said the video was recovered from residual data located in back-end systems.
“Working with our partners, as of this morning, law enforcement has uncovered these previously inaccessible new images showing an armed individual appearing to have tampered with the camera at Nancy Guthrie’s front door the morning of her disappearance,” the FBI director added.
The Guthrie family does not recognize the individual seen in the newly released surveillance video, according to NBC News.
NBC reported that the FBI decided to release the photos and videos publicly after neither the family nor law enforcement was able to identify the person shown in the footage.
"TODAY" show co-host Savannah Guthrie earlier shared images from the video on Instagram, writing in the caption that she believes her mother is "still alive."
Newly released FBI video in the search for Nancy Guthrie is offering a "wealth of information" that could help identify the subject seen in the footage, according to a body language expert.
Susan Constantine, who reviewed the newly recovered images, told Fox News Digital the footage shows details that stand out immediately from a behavioral standpoint.
According to Constantine, the subject’s jawline appears puffy, which she said could indicate beard hair beneath the mask. She also said the subject’s head shape and lack of visible hair suggest the individual may be bald.
"Even with the mask on, we can still see his eyes, his body structure, his proportions and his gait," Constantine said. "All of those things are identifiable."
This is an excerpt from a report by Fox News Digital’s Stepheny Price. Click here to read the full report.
{{#rendered}}Blood droplets were discovered on the porch of Nancy Guthrie’s home during the early stages of the investigation into her disappearance, according to law enforcement.
Photos obtained by Fox News Digital showed the blood on the ground near the front entrance to Nancy's home. The blood trail went from the front entrance of the home to the edge of the driveway, Fox News Digital learned.
Authorities have confirmed the blood belongs to Guthrie. Law enforcement has not released details about the extent of any injuries or whether the blood evidence is connected to the masked individual seen in surveillance footage entering Guthrie’s home.
Authorities were seen going door-to-door in Annie Guthrie's neighborhood on Tuesday afternoon.
Fox News cameras captured investigators speaking to neighbors and even entering a home a few doors down from Annie's house.
One witness also said a group of investigators walked into a nearby business and asked an employee for a copy of surveillance video from an outdoor camera.
President Donald Trump has reviewed newly released FBI surveillance video in the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, and his reaction was one of “pure disgust,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said.
Leavitt said she and the president reviewed the footage together and that the president is urging anyone with information to come forward as the investigation continues.
“He and I were both reviewing the newly released surveillance footage from FBI in the Savannah Guthrie case on just this heartbreaking situation with respect to her mother,” Leavitt said. “The president encourages any American across the country with any knowledge of the suspect to please call the FBI, who continue to assist state and local authorities who are leading this investigation on the ground.”
She added that the White House is keeping Guthrie’s family in its prayers.
“Once again, I will reiterate that the prayers of this entire White House are with Savannah and her family at this time, and we hope this person is found soon and that her mother is brought home safely,” Leavitt said.
When asked by a reporter whether Trump believes the suspect acted alone, Leavitt declined to speculate.
“I haven’t talked to him specifically about the second point on whether the suspect acted alone or not, so I don’t want to weigh in on the president’s thinking on that,” she said.
Leavitt said Trump’s immediate response to the footage mirrored the reaction of many Americans.
“His initial reaction, of course, as all Americans, is just pure disgust,” she said. “It’s heartbreaking to see now this footage really bring to life a story we’ve all been reading about.”
She again encouraged anyone with information related to the case to contact the FBI.
“The president directed me to please encourage all Americans with any information to call the FBI,” Leavitt said. “We hope that this case will come to a positive resolution as soon as possible.”
{{#rendered}}The FBI confirmed Tuesday that newly released photos and video show an armed individual who appears to have tampered with the camera at Nancy Guthrie’s front door on the morning of her disappearance.
In a press release, the FBI said it is seeking information that could lead to the identification of the individual shown in the images, which are available on the agency’s website.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the FBI at 800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov, the release said.
The FBI is offering a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to the recovery of Guthrie or the arrest and conviction of anyone involved in her disappearance, according to the release.
The FBI’s Phoenix Field Office and the Pima County Sheriff’s Department are continuing to investigate the disappearance of Guthrie on the evening of Jan. 31.
Authorities also said in the release that Guthrie is considered a vulnerable adult. She has difficulty walking, has a pacemaker, and requires daily medication for a heart condition.
A former Pima County Sheriff’s Department detective told Fox News Digital he does not believe that the masked individual was at Nancy Guthrie's home for a burglary.
“I don’t think it was a burglary. Nothing was stolen,” the former detective said. “And whoever that dude was, he was extremely comfortable because he grabbed some weeds to try to cover the camera when a true burglar or armed home invasion they wouldn’t even worried about that cause they would’ve been in and out so quick and or they would’ve just ripped the camera down, not tried to walk around the videoed filming something to cover it. He didn’t even have his gun out when he approached the door so I don’t think it was a burglary or a home invasion that individual was there for a purpose.”
Fox News Digital's Adam Sabes contributed to this report.
FBI Director Kash Patel was at the Nancy Guthrie command post on Monday, a source told Fox News Digital, as the search continued.
On Tuesday, Patel personally released the bombshell surveillance videos and pictures on his X account.
Earlier this month, Patel had also pledged federal support for the search.
On Feb. 3, he said the FBI would provide assistance to local authorities working to locate Guthrie, underscoring the bureau’s involvement in the ongoing investigation.
{{#rendered}}The FBI on Tuesday confirmed a $50,000 reward in a new wanted poster alongside updated images showing a potential person of interest in the investigation into the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie.
In a post shared on X, the FBI said it is offering a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to the recovery of Nancy Guthrie and/or the arrest and conviction of anyone involved in her disappearance.
“New images released today show an armed individual appearing to have tampered with the camera at Nancy Guthrie’s front door the morning of her disappearance,” the FBI said. “The FBI seeks information that will lead to the identification of this individual.”
Guthrie, 84, was reported missing around noon on Feb. 1. She was last seen the previous evening after having dinner at the Tucson, Arizona, home of her daughter, Annie Guthrie, according to the Pima County Sheriff’s Office.
1-800-CALL-FBI or http:/tips.fbi.gov
"TODAY" show co-host Savannah Guthrie shared the FBI-released surveillance footage on social media, urging the public to help identify the individual seen approaching her mother’s home.
“Someone out there recognizes this person. We believe she is still out there. Bring her home,” Guthrie wrote in the caption accompanying the footage.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or the Pima County Sheriff’s Department at 520-351-4900.
Savannah Guthrie also shared photos of the masked subject in her Instagram Story.
A masked and armed individual carrying a backpack is seen approaching Nancy Guthrie’s home in surveillance video released by the FBI.
In the footage, the man - who appears to have facial hair - approaches Guthrie’s Tucson, Arizona, home during the early morning hours.
{{#rendered}}More surveillance footage was released of a possible subject arriving at Nancy Guthrie's home in Tuscon, Arizona on Sunday, Feb. 1.
The individual is seen with his head down as he approaches Guthrie's home.
Savannah Guthrie released a statement moments after the FBI released surveillance video of a possible subject in Nancy Guthrie's disappearance.
"We believe she is still alive," Savannah wrote in an Instagram post with photos from the released video. "Bring her home."
Surveillance video released by federal authorities shows a masked individual investigators say is a subject of interest entering Nancy Guthrie’s home early Sunday, Feb. 1.
{{#rendered}}Federal authorities released a surveillance photo showing a masked individual investigators say is a subject of interest in the Nancy Guthrie case entering her home early Sunday, Feb. 1.
"Over the last eight days, the FBI and Pima County Sheriff’s Department have been working closely with our private sector partners to continue to recover any images or video footage from Nancy Guthrie’s home that may have been lost, corrupted, or inaccessible due to a variety of factors - including the removal of recording devices. The video was recovered from residual data located in backend systems," FBI Director Kash Patel said in a Tuesday X post.
"Working with our partners - as of this morning, law enforcement has uncovered these previously inaccessible new images showing an armed individual appearing to have tampered with the camera at Nancy Guthrie's front door the morning of her disappearance."
A security and intelligence expert says the FBI — not private investigators — is best equipped to handle the case involving Nancy Guthrie, citing the rarity and complexity of kidnapping-for-ransom crimes in the United States.
Herman Weisberg of SAGE Intelligence said once the FBI is involved, outside investigators add little value.
“Now that the FBI is involved, I think they’re the most qualified agency maybe in the world to deal with a situation like this,” Weisberg said.
Weisberg said planned ransom kidnappings are extremely rare because modern technology makes them difficult to execute.
“A planned kidnapping for ransom is extremely rare,” he said. “This isn’t 1930s Lindbergh. There are high-def cameras and license plate readers and cell phone identifiers.”
He said communication and financial trails expose perpetrators.
“Everything is traceable,” Weisberg said, adding that criminals understand “the more they communicate, the more they’re opening themselves up to reveal themselves.”
Weisberg said investigators are likely withholding information by design.
“The FBI’s main concern here is not to satiate the news cycles,” he said.
He said the focus remains on recovery.
“The main objective here is to get Mrs. Guthrie back alive and in good health,” Weisberg said.
Fox News Digital's Michael Ruiz contributed to this report.
A federal source has confirmed to Fox News Digital that authorities are expected to share a surveillance image of a potential subject tied to the investigation into the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie.
{{#rendered}}Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos responded Monday to criticism of the Nancy Guthrie investigation, arguing that they lack insight into the full scope of the work involved.
“They can question (the quality of the investigation), that's their right," Nanos told Green Valley News Monday. "But I would tell them this, they haven't a clue what this investigation has entailed. They don't know all the efforts we put into it."
Nanos said that investigators have processed more than 3,000 tips as the investigation for Guthrie, the mother of "TODAY" show host Savannah Guthrie. He also pointed to what he described as his 100% homicide clearance rate as evidence of his leadership and investigative record.
Addressing personal attacks, Nanos dismissed criticism of his demeanor.
“Now, you want to get picky that the sheriff speaks funny or talks off the cuff, or you can call him a buffoon or Barney Fife or whatever you want to call him,” Nanos said. “The haters are going to hate, but my local media, you included, know me. You know what I'm about, and you know I've always been a pretty much open book. You ask me a question, I'm going to answer."
As the search for Nancy Guthrie stretches into a second week, her alleged captors are reportedly seeking a $6 million Bitcoin ransom, illustrating how cryptocurrency has reshaped the business of extortion.
"Criminals increasingly request cryptocurrency in ransom and extortion cases because it is fast, global and does not rely on traditional banking rails that can delay or block payments," explained Ari Redbord, global head of policy at TRM Labs, a blockchain intelligence and crypto-forensics firm.
"Cases like the alleged crypto ransom demand in the Nancy Guthrie case highlight how this dynamic is playing out in the real world," added Redbord, a former federal prosecutor and senior U.S. Treasury official.
It remains unclear whether payment of the $6 million would secure the 84-year-old’s release. What's more, despite repeated public pleas from the Guthrie family, neither proof of life nor direct contact with her has been provided.
Still, Redbord cautions that the same technology that makes cryptocurrency attractive to criminals can also expose them.
"The moment a wallet address appears, investigators have something actionable. Funds can be tracked in real time, associations identified and networks mapped in ways that are impossible with bulk cash or informal value transfer systems," Redbord said.
Reporting by Fox News Digital’s Amanda Macias.
Nancy Guthrie's landscaper, pool cleaner and other hired help are submitting buccal swabs more than a week after her suspected abduction from a home in Tucson, Arizona, according to a law enforcement source.
The move likely means DNA results have finally come back from inside her house, experts say.
Last week, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said at a news briefing that DNA testing on evidence outside the home — including blood drops outside the front door — came back to Guthrie.
“Ifs significant because it reveals that they did get some DNA from inside the home or from the collection of evidence at the scene,” Randy Sutton, a retired Las Vegas police lieutenant and founder of the Wounded Blue, told Fox News Digital. “So now they're going to be comparing that DNA to either eliminate individuals or obtain information about them.”
Guthrie is the mother of “TODAY” show host Savannah Guthrie, who released a video last night imploring members of the public to reach out to investigators if they have any information on the case.
The FBI’s tip line is 1-800-CALL-FBI.
{{#rendered}}The 12-hour window that alleged kidnappers said they would return Nancy Guthrie after receiving a ransom payment has closed after the final alleged deadline passed Monday night.
The 12-hour timeframe was mentioned in an alleged ransom note that TMZ earlier received, according to TMZ’s Harvey Levin. He said it noted the kidnappers would bring Guthrie back to Tucson within 12 hours of receiving the ransom money.
As of Tuesday morning, it remains unclear whether the ransom was paid at the Monday 5 p.m. local time deadline.
Authorities said they are continuing to investigate and pursue leads after the deadline passed.
The FBI told Fox News Digital it has not identified a suspect or person of interest in the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, urging the public to come forward with information.
“Someone has that one piece of information that can help us bring Nancy home,” the spokesperson said.
Anyone with information is asked to call 1-800-CALL-FBI.
The final deadline outlined in an alleged ransom note connected to the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie passed Monday night without any proof of life or resolution.
At the same time, the Pima County Sheriff's Department said it was pursuing "new leads" in the case, but said they had not identified suspects, persons of interest or vehicles in the case.
“The investigation into Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance remains active and ongoing,” a spokesperson for the Pima County Sheriff’s Department confirmed Monday evening.
“We understand the significant public interest in this case; however, investigators need time and space to do their work. If and when relevant information becomes available, it will be shared,” they added.
The department confirmed there are no press briefings scheduled at this time, but said that if a significant development occurs, a press conference will be called.
The sheriff’s office also confirmed an “active law enforcement presence” at the Guthrie residences will continue tonight and into tomorrow as part of the ongoing investigative process, including the expansion of the search and follow-up on new leads.
As the search for Nancy Guthrie expands and new leads come in, investigators said that in order “to preserve the integrity of this criminal investigation, details of that process are not being released at this time.”
Authorities emphasized the scale of the public response so far.
“Thousands of calls have been received across multiple tip lines, and investigators continue to review them,” the spokesperson said.
“Anyone who believes they have information that may assist investigators is asked to contact 1-800-CALL-FBI, the PCSD non-emergency line at 520-351-4900 or 88-CRIME.”
Earlier, Savannah Guthrie pleaded publicly for help, calling it an “hour of desperation.
Coverage for this event has ended.