Newly released security images are shedding light on the mysterious disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of NBC “Today” host Savannah Guthrie, as federal investigators continue to search for answers in the high-profile case.
According to sources close to the investigation, a masked individual believed to be connected to the suspected abduction was captured on Guthrie’s doorbell camera days before she vanished. Images released by the FBI show the suspect on the property on two separate occasions, raising new questions about whether the individual may have scoped out the residence before her disappearance.
The FBI has confirmed that security images of a suspect carrying a backpack were taken on the morning of Sunday, February 1 — the same day Guthrie failed to appear at her church service. Authorities say that footage from that morning shows what they described as an armed individual appearing to tamper with the camera and place branches in front of the lens, seemingly attempting to obstruct its view.
Separate images, obtained from Guthrie’s Nest camera prior to February 1, show a man at her front door without a backpack, sources told ABC News. That earlier footage predates the day authorities say she disappeared from her Tucson, Arizona, home.
One working theory among investigators, according to sources, is that the suspect may have initially approached the property, noticed the presence of the security camera, and retreated — only to return later with the apparent intention of disabling it. The release of the images suggests a potentially deliberate effort to avoid detection.
The timeline may also explain why investigators have expanded their request to neighbors, asking them to review home surveillance footage dating back to January 1 — a full month before the alleged abduction. Authorities appear to be examining whether suspicious activity occurred in the area well before Guthrie was reported missing.
Despite the seriousness of the case and reports that several individuals have been detained, no suspect has been publicly identified. Law enforcement officials have remained tight-lipped as the investigation continues, fueling both concern and speculation within the community.
In a statement to Fox News, the Pima County Sheriff’s Department cautioned against drawing firm conclusions from the images alone. “There is no date or time stamp associated with these images. Therefore any suggestion that the photographs were taken on different days is purely speculative,” the department said.
The case has drawn national attention, in part because of Savannah Guthrie’s public pleas. The NBC host has released several emotional video appeals directed at anyone who may have abducted her mother, urging them to come forward and safely return the elderly woman.
As investigators continue to piece together the timeline and analyze surveillance footage, the disturbing images of a masked figure lurking around the property underscore the seriousness of the situation. For now, authorities are urging anyone with information or relevant video evidence to contact law enforcement as the search for Nancy Guthrie continues.
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