Investigators share surveillance photos, videos of masked person connected with Nancy Guthrie case

PHOENIX — The FBI and Pima County Sheriff’s Department on Tuesday released several photos and videos connected to the search for 84‑year‑old Nancy Guthrie, mother of “Today” show co‑host Savannah Guthrie.

Sheriff Chris Nanos of the Pima County Sheriff’s Department (PCSD) said later Tuesday that a person was detained south of Tucson at a traffic stop.

There is no indication whether or not that person is the same one in the released photos and videos.

PCSD said the FBI and PCSD are carrying out a court-authorized search of a location in Rio Rico, an unincorporated area about 60 miles south of Tucson. The search is expected to last “several hours.”

The black‑and‑white images show an armed person who appears to tamper with the camera at Nancy Guthrie’s front door on the morning she disappeared, authorities said.

The individual is seen wearing a ski mask, dark jacket and gloves outside her home in Tucson’s Catalina Foothills neighborhood.

Investigators said the images were recovered from residual video data stored in backend systems after primary footage had been removed or corrupted.

This black‑and‑white clip show an armed person who appears to tamper with the camera at Nancy Guthrie’s front door on the morning she disappeared, authorities said. pic.twitter.com/fYHKkks0pn

— KTAR News 92.3 (@KTAR923) February 10, 2026

Savannah Guthrie posted a video and a photo to her Instagram account along with tip line information.

“Someone out there recognizes this person. We believe she is still out there. Bring her home,” she wrote.

Where did surveillance photos connected to Nancy Guthrie case come from?

Over the past eight days, the FBI and the Sheriff’s Department have worked with private‑sector partners to pull any remaining images or video from the home, including files that may have been affected by the removal of recording devices.

Urgency in the search for Nancy Guthrie increased after a deadline mentioned in an alleged ransom note passed at 5 p.m. Monday.

A letter — purportedly from the perpetrators — was sent to several news outlets, including Tucson TV station KGUN, which said it demanded several million dollars in Bitcoin by Thursday and threatened to kill Nancy Guthrie if payment was not received by Monday.

A few hours before Monday’s deadline, Savannah Guthrie posted a video on social media pleading for anyone with information to come forward.

“We are at an hour of desperation, and we need your help.”

“Today” show host Savannah Guthrie released a video Monday asking for everyone’s, not just those who live in Tucson, help finding her mother Nancy Guthrie. The plea comes on the same day as the second deadline provided… pic.twitter.com/BFDy00Kzox

— KTAR News 92.3 (@KTAR923) February 9, 2026

Where is the investigation into Nancy Guthrie now?

Nancy Guthrie was last seen on Jan. 31, when she was dropped off at her home in Tucson’s Catalina Foothills. Investigators believe she was taken against her will sometime between 9:45 p.m. that night and late the next morning.

Investigators returned multiple times over the weekend to the Tucson home of Nancy Guthrie, according to The Associated Press. At one point, a law enforcement official was seen using a pole to search an underground tank behind the property.

The FBI has been seeking the public’s help, displaying digital billboards across major cities in Arizona, California, Texas and New Mexico, offering a $50,000 reward for information.

Both the Pima County Sheriff’s Department and the FBI said they are treating the letters seriously.

Over the weekend, Savannah Guthrie said her family is prepared to pay for her mother’s safe return, pleading in a video for those responsible to release her so the family can be reunited.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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