Authorities Question and Release Man as Search for Nancy Guthrie Intensifies in Arizona

Law enforcement agencies in Arizona continue to pursue thousands of leads in the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, 84, as officials confirmed that a man detained Tuesday evening was interviewed and released without charges. Guthrie, mother of “Today” show anchor Savannah Guthrie, was reported missing on Jan. 31 and is believed to have been abducted from her Tucson-area residence in the Catalina Foothills during the early hours of Feb. 1.

The Pima County Sheriff’s Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation stated that more than 18,000 tips have arrived through various channels since the investigation began. Roughly 4,000 of those calls were logged after the FBI distributed doorbell-camera footage on Feb. 10 showing an armed, masked individual apparently tampering with a security device at Guthrie’s front door. Authorities urged the public to continue providing information and emphasized that any detail, however minor, could prove critical.

On Tuesday evening, deputies stopped a Nissan Rogue in Rio Rico, about 60 miles south of Tucson. The driver, who identified himself only as Carlos, was taken into custody for questioning while investigators executed a search warrant at a residence linked to him. According to the Santa Cruz County judge’s order, officers were authorized to inspect the property for any evidence connected to Guthrie’s disappearance. After several hours of interviews and a comprehensive search of both the vehicle and the residence, Carlos was released and faces no current legal restrictions.

Law-enforcement sources said the individual had been under surveillance before the FBI released the doorbell-camera images. Investigators reportedly used a combination of cell-phone data, traffic-camera records, and other electronic methods to monitor his movements. Officials have not disclosed the specific techniques employed, citing operational security, nor have they indicated whether Carlos remains a person of interest. The Pima County Sheriff’s Department described the interview as “fully cooperative.”

Simultaneously, FBI agents expanded their ground search in the Catalina Foothills on Wednesday. Personnel canvassed several roads near Guthrie’s home, and motorists were advised to exercise caution when passing marked vehicles and search teams. The bureau maintained its $50,000 reward for information that leads to Guthrie’s recovery. In a joint statement, the FBI and the sheriff’s department noted that “several hundred” agents and detectives are assigned to the case, and residents should expect sustained law-enforcement activity throughout the region.

Investigators are also analyzing every frame of the surveillance video released Tuesday. Specialists are examining clothing patterns, the apparent firearm, and the suspect’s physical build in an effort to isolate distinguishing characteristics. Digital-forensics teams are enhancing the footage, looking for reflections, background sounds, or environmental clues that might narrow the search. A similar approach was used during the 2018 abduction case of Jayme Closs, where video enhancement played a pivotal role in identifying the perpetrator, according to publicly available FBI case files (FBI.gov).

Imagem: Internet

Authorities have confirmed the receipt of multiple ransom notes, though none have been verified as legitimate. One letter set a payment deadline that expired on Feb. 9; officials did not disclose whether any negotiation occurred or if the demand contained actionable details. Investigators are treating each note as potential evidence, subjecting them to handwriting, DNA, and trace-material analysis.

The evolving timeline places Guthrie at her home on the evening of Jan. 31. Family members reported her missing when she failed to answer phone calls the following day. Early findings suggest an intruder may have disabled exterior lighting and manipulated the security system shortly before dawn. The released doorbell footage appears to corroborate that theory, showing a masked figure carrying what experts believe is a semiautomatic handgun.

While Tuesday’s detention did not yield an arrest, officials stressed that the investigation remains dynamic. “We appreciate the cooperation we have received from the public,” the agencies said Wednesday, adding that new leads are prioritized based on urgency and credibility before being routed to specialized teams. Anyone with information can contact the FBI tip line or the Pima County Sheriff’s Department.

Crédito da imagem: Rebecca Noble/Reuters