In a chilling development in the ongoing search for missing 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie, authorities have revealed that a masked suspect captured on her home security camera visited her Tucson, Arizona, residence the day before her alleged kidnapping. The Federal Bureau of Investigation released photos from Nancy's Nest doorbell camera showing the unidentified individual, dressed in all-black attire including a ski mask and carrying a black backpack, lurking near her doorstep on January 31, the same day family members last saw her alive.
According to ABC News, the images depict the suspect attempting to tamper with the camera, raising questions about premeditation in the case. Nancy, the mother of NBC's Savannah Guthrie and her siblings Annie and Camron, was reported missing by her family on February 1 after she failed to attend a virtual church service. She had been dropped off at her home the previous evening by relatives, following a routine visit.
The FBI has described the person of interest as a male approximately 5 feet 9 inches to 5 feet 10 inches tall, with an average build. In the surveillance footage made public on February 12, the figure is seen wearing a distinctive 25-liter 'Ozark Trail Hiker Pack' backpack, which Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos highlighted as a potential breakthrough. "That backpack, we could positively now identify as a backpack that is sold at one place only. That’s Walmart," Nanos told NBC News in an interview aired on February 17. He added that investigators were collaborating with Walmart managers statewide to review sales records from the past 20 to 60 days.
However, hopes for a quick lead dimmed when Nanos confirmed on the February 23 episode of the Today show that a backpack discovered earlier in the month by an Arizona search party was not the one authorities are seeking. This false lead underscores the challenges in the investigation, which has spanned more than three weeks without yielding Nancy's whereabouts.
Nancy's daughter, Savannah Guthrie, 54, has been vocal in her pleas for public assistance. In a video posted to Instagram earlier this month, she urged viewers to stay vigilant. “We believe our mom is still out there. We need your help. Law enforcement is working tirelessly around the clock, trying to bring her home, trying to find her,” Savannah said. “She was taken, and we don’t know where, and we need your help. So, I’m coming on just to ask you, not just for your prayers, but no matter where you are, even if you’re far from Tucson, if you see anything, you hear anything, if there’s anything at all that seems strange to you, that you report to law enforcement.”
“I think this was an individual who had a target for whatever reason, and he has made it tough, but I’ve got some pretty tough investigators too,” Nanos said on the Today show on February 18. “As long as we have the ability to chase a lead, it’s not cold. We’re not going to give up. We’re going to find Nancy, and we’re going to find out who did this.”
The sheriff's comments reflect a belief that the abduction was targeted, a stance echoed in related reports. Officials confirmed on February 20 that the case had generated over 12,000 tips from the public, a testament to the widespread attention drawn by the high-profile family connection. To encourage more leads, the reward for information leading to Nancy's rescue or recovery was doubled from $100,000 to $200,000, bolstered by a donation to the local 88-CRIME tip line.
Adding another layer of intrigue, the FBI is investigating multiple alleged ransom notes demanding payment in bitcoin. While details remain sparse, these communications suggest a possible motive tied to extortion, though authorities have not confirmed their authenticity or direct link to the disappearance.
Nancy Guthrie, who shared her three children with her late husband Charles Guthrie, lived a quiet life in Tucson before vanishing. Her family described her as a devoted mother and grandmother, whose sudden absence has left them devastated. The missed virtual church service on February 1 prompted the initial welfare check, leading to the discovery that her home showed no signs of forced entry but evident disturbance.
Additional photos released by the FBI, showing the suspect without the backpack, were reportedly from an earlier visit, further indicating reconnaissance. Us Weekly reported that these images align with the timeline of the January 31 incident, though exact timing discrepancies have not been clarified by officials. The Pima County Sheriff's Department has not immediately responded to requests for further comment on these details.
The investigation's intensity is evident in the resources deployed. Search parties have combed areas around Tucson, and federal agents have joined local efforts, poring over surveillance from nearby businesses and traffic cameras. Nanos emphasized the backpack's uniqueness as a sales point, noting in his NBC interview that its exclusive availability at Walmart could narrow down suspects through purchase records and security footage from stores.
Despite the backpack misidentification, the sheriff remains optimistic. On February 23, he told Today hosts that the probe could extend for months, depending on new evidence. "Sheriff Reveals How Much Longer Nancy Guthrie Investigation Could Continue," a related Us Weekly article noted, highlighting Nanos's determination to pursue every angle.
Public response has been robust, with tips flooding in from across the country. Savannah and her siblings' emotional appeals have amplified the story, drawing parallels to other celebrity-linked missing persons cases where community involvement proved crucial. Yet, the lack of concrete progress has frustrated the family, who continue to hold out hope for a safe resolution.
As the search enters its fourth week, questions linger about the suspect's identity and motive. Was the pre-kidnapping visit a deliberate scouting mission? Officials believe so, given the attempt to disable the camera. The bitcoin ransom notes, if verified, could point to a financially motivated crime, but the FBI has cautioned against speculation.
The broader implications of Nancy's case ripple through Tucson and beyond, reminding residents of the vulnerabilities even in quiet neighborhoods. With a doubled reward and thousands of tips, law enforcement vows to press on. For now, the masked figure in black remains at large, a shadowy presence in photos that have become central to one family's desperate quest for answers.
In related developments, a clue about the kidnapper emerged when Nanos confirmed the targeted nature of the abduction, as reported in Us Weekly. The community's resolve, coupled with federal support, suggests the investigation is far from over. Families like the Guthries wait anxiously, clinging to the belief that Nancy is still out there, waiting to be found.