Nancy Guthrie investigation continues after day of major developments in high-profile case

PHOENIX – The investigation into the apparent abduction of Nancy Guthrie in southern Arizona continued on Wednesday, a day after a whirlwind of activity in the case.

The 84-year-old mother of “Today” anchor Savannah Guthrie hasn’t been seen since the night of Jan. 31, when she was dropped off at her home in Tucson’s Catalina Foothills area.

The Pima County Sheriff’s Department and FBI have been leading the investigation into the high-profile case. The probe includes ongoing canvasses of the areas around where Nancy Guthrie lives and the home of her daughter, Annie Guthrie, a few miles away.

The FBI, which is offering a $50,000 reward in the case, said Wednesday morning that agents are conducting extensive searches along Catalina Foothills-area roadways.

Here’s a recap of Tuesday’s developments:

Photos, video of masked person released

Authorities released photos and video of a masked person that private sector partners were able to recover from a disabled surveillance camera at Nancy Guthrie’s front door.

Later, activity was reportedly detected in a Bitcoin account associated with ransom notes sent to media outlets.

Man questioned about Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance

Another bombshell dropped when authorities said a subject was detained during a traffic stop south of Tucson and questioned in connection with the Nancy Guthrie investigation.

A man from Rio Rico who identified himself as “Carlos” later told reporters he was stopped and questioned about the case before he was released. He said he was held from 4 p.m. until after midnight and denied involvement in the kidnapping.

Authorities confirmed Wednesday that the person they detained had been released.

Authorities search property in southern Arizona

In the final development of Tuesday night, the Pima County Sheriff’s Department and FBI’s Evidence Response Team conducted a court-ordered search of a property in Rio Rico, about 60 miles south of Tucson and 14 miles north of the U.S.-Mexico border in Nogales.

Authorities announced that the search was concluded early Wednesday but didn’t provide any other information.

The Pima County Sheriff’s Department said no press briefings are scheduled for Wednesday, but that could change if there are significant developments.

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