Nancy Guthrie disappearance takes turn as armed suspect images emerge

The investigation into the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie has intensified after a person was detained for questioning, hours after US authorities released newly recovered images of an armed individual outside her home.

Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of Today co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, was last seen at her residence in the Catalina Foothills area of Arizona on the evening of January 31. Investigators believe she was taken against her will from the property during the night.

A law enforcement official told ABC News that detectives from the Pima County Sheriff’s Department, working with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, detained an individual during a traffic stop south of Tucson on Tuesday. The person has not been identified and no arrest has been made.

Authorities are now searching a location south of Tucson believed to be associated with the individual, according to the source.

The detention came shortly after FBI Director Kash Patel released images and video recovered from Nancy Guthrie’s doorbell camera system. The footage shows a masked individual wearing gloves, carrying a backpack and what appears to be a holstered firearm, approaching the front door and tampering with the camera on the morning of her disappearance.

Patel said the images were retrieved from residual data stored in backend systems after investigators worked with private sector partners to recover footage that had initially been inaccessible due to removed recording devices.

“Law enforcement has uncovered these previously inaccessible new images,” Patel said, urging anyone with information to contact authorities.

Savannah Guthrie later shared the images on Instagram, writing: “We believe she is still alive. Bring her home.”

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A post shared by Savannah Guthrie (@savannahguthrie)

Nancy Guthrie was reported missing after she failed to arrive at a friend’s home the following day, where she was expected to watch an online church service. Authorities have said she does not suffer from cognitive impairment but has limited mobility and relies on medication for a heart condition.

Investigators have confirmed the case remains active, with no arrests announced as the search continues.