The search for Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of Savannah Guthrie, co-host of the “TODAY” show, has entered its tenth day, with a significant development occurring on . Law enforcement officials in Arizona have detained a person for questioning in connection with her disappearance, though the individual was later released.
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department confirmed the detention during a traffic stop south of Tucson, in the area of Rio Rico, a city approximately 60 miles south of Tucson and close to the U.S.-Mexico border. Sheriff Chris Nanos stated that the department is being assisted by the FBI’s Evidence Response Team in a court-authorized search of a location in Rio Rico, a search expected to last several hours. Further details are expected to be released as the investigation progresses.
The FBI released security footage and photographs earlier on depicting an individual tampering with the doorbell camera at Ms. Guthrie’s home the morning she was reported missing. The images show a masked person wearing gloves and a backpack attempting to remove the camera. The individual is seen initially trying to block the camera with a hand, then using a branch to obscure the lens, while holding what appears to be a flashlight in their mouth. FBI Director Kash Patel described the individual as a “person of interest,” but it remains unconfirmed whether the person detained is the same individual seen in the footage.
The investigation has involved multiple law enforcement agencies. The Oro Valley Police Department confirmed its involvement, activating its regional bomb squad and SWAT team for an unspecified mission related to the case. This suggests a heightened level of concern and a preparedness for potentially complex scenarios.
Adding a layer of complexity, a woman identifying herself as the mother-in-law of the detained individual spoke to CNN, stating that her son-in-law had “nothing to do” with the case and invited investigators to search their home. She stated, “You can go and search the house, there’s nobody there,” adding that investigators indicated they targeted the property based on a tip. The detained man reportedly works as a delivery driver in the Tucson area.
The initial report of Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance came on , after she was dropped off at her home outside Tucson the night before. The FBI has stated We see “not aware of any continued communication between the Guthrie family and suspected kidnappers.”
While the detention of a person of interest offers a potential lead, authorities have been cautious in their statements. The individual detained has not been officially characterized as a “person of interest” by law enforcement, a distinction made by FBI Director Patel regarding the individual in the surveillance footage. The fact that the detained individual was released after questioning further underscores the ongoing and evolving nature of the investigation.
The focus remains on gathering evidence and following leads. The search of the property in Rio Rico, coupled with the ongoing investigation by the FBI and Pima County Sheriff’s Department, indicates a continued commitment to locating Nancy Guthrie and determining the circumstances surrounding her disappearance. The public is encouraged to come forward with any information that may assist in the investigation.
As of , the Pima County Sheriff’s Department has concluded its search of a property in Arizona related to the Nancy Guthrie investigation, but the investigation remains ongoing. A man who was detained for questioning in connection with the disappearance was released earlier that morning, according to reports.
