Authorities Release Detainee as Hunt for Armed Suspect in Nancy Guthrie Abduction Intensifies

The Pima County Sheriff’s Department has released an individual who was detained for questioning in connection with the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of television journalist Savannah Guthrie. The person was stopped south of Tucson, Arizona, on Tuesday, 10 February 2026, interviewed by investigators, and subsequently released without charge, officials confirmed. A court-authorized search was later executed at a property in Rio Rico, roughly 60 miles south of Tucson, but no arrests followed the operation.

Law enforcement agencies escalated activity in the case earlier in the day when the Federal Bureau of Investigation disseminated surveillance images of a masked, armed individual seen approaching Nancy Guthrie’s front door around the time she was allegedly abducted on 1 February. Investigators believe the person in the footage manipulated the home’s camera system shortly before it went offline. Authorities emphasized that the detainee released Tuesday has not been identified as the person depicted in the new images, and no formal suspect or person of interest has been named.

Key timeline of the disappearance

According to the Pima County Sheriff’s Office, Nancy Guthrie’s doorbell camera lost connection at 1:47 a.m. on 1 February. Motion-detection software recorded the presence of an individual at 2:12 a.m., and at 2:28 a.m. data from Guthrie’s pacemaker monitoring application disconnected from her mobile phone, which was left inside the residence. Investigators believe these events mark the critical window during which the 84-year-old was removed from her home.

Search efforts intensified after the Guthrie family reported a $6 million bitcoin ransom demand delivered over the weekend. The deadline set by the alleged kidnappers expired at 5:00 p.m. on Monday, 9 February, without confirmation that the payment was made or that the abductors attempted further contact. Federal agents stated they are unaware of any additional communication between the family and the individuals claiming responsibility.

FBI recovers previously inaccessible video

The FBI indicated that the newly released footage was restored from residual data on backend systems after the original recording devices were either removed or disabled. Agency technicians collaborated with private-sector partners to reconstruct the damaged files, revealing a person wearing a full mask, gloves, a backpack, and a holstered handgun. The subject is seen standing at the front entrance, appearing to interfere with the camera shortly before it ceased transmitting.

Specialists note that the images provide critical details—such as body shape, mannerisms, and equipment carried—that can inform behavioral profiles and support forensic comparisons. Former federal investigators interviewed by national media outlets said the visual data may also assist in assessing the suspect’s familiarity with surveillance technology and the property layout.

Expanded federal presence in Arizona

The FBI has deployed additional personnel from field offices across the country to a 24-hour command post in Tucson. The expanded team includes crisis-management experts, analysts, and evidence-response technicians. Officials are urging the public to share any information that could advance the investigation, directing tips to 1-800-CALL-FBI, local 911 lines, or the Pima County Sheriff’s Department at 520-351-4900.

At the federal level, senior administration staff briefed President Donald Trump on the investigation’s status. The White House stated that the president reviewed the surveillance footage and instructed aides to amplify public awareness. The FBI’s national website, which outlines procedures for reporting missing persons and kidnapping cases, has also highlighted the Guthrie investigation. Additional background on federal kidnapping statutes is available through the FBI Violent Crime Program, a long-standing resource on abduction response protocols.

Imagem: Internet

Family appeals for public assistance

Savannah Guthrie and her siblings have used social media platforms to distribute the surveillance images and to appeal directly to anyone who might recognize the masked individual. The family maintains that Nancy Guthrie is alive and continues to plead for her safe return. Their online messages, posted before and after the ransom deadline, reaffirm their willingness to comply with demands should credible proof of life be provided.

In four separate videos released since the disappearance, family members described the situation as an emergency and appealed for immediate cooperation from anyone holding information. The posts have been widely shared, expanding public visibility of the case far beyond southern Arizona.

Ongoing neighborhood canvass

Deputies and federal agents remain stationed around the Guthrie residence and nearby streets, conducting door-to-door interviews, reviewing home-security footage from neighbors, and searching surrounding desert terrain. Mobile command units and evidence-collection vehicles have maintained a continuous presence since the weekend, while media outlets continue to monitor developments from established perimeters.

Despite the heightened activity, investigators have not disclosed any definitive leads regarding motive, potential accomplices, or the current location of Nancy Guthrie. Analysts say the lack of further communication after the elapsed ransom deadline adds complexity to the case, leaving open questions about the credibility of the initial demand and the abductors’ objectives.

Authorities reiterate that the recovery of Nancy Guthrie remains the top priority. The investigation continues under joint command of the Pima County Sheriff’s Department and the FBI. Additional updates will be provided as new information is verified.

Crédito da imagem: Brandon Bell/Getty Images