A suspect was apprehended for questioning on Tuesday in connection with the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, following the release of surveillance footage by the FBI showing a masked individual with a gun holster outside Guthrie’s residence on the night she went missing in Arizona.
Later, a man claimed to have been interrogated and then released by authorities, although there has been no official confirmation regarding the detainee’s status.
Law enforcement officers stopped the individual during a traffic stop south of Tucson, as reported by the Pima County Sheriff’s Department. Further details regarding the person and the specific location of the detention were not immediately disclosed by the department.
The FBI directed inquiries to the sheriff’s office.
Subsequently, a Phoenix TV station interviewed a delivery driver who alleged being detained by police on suspicion of involvement in Guthrie’s kidnapping. The man, residing in Rio Rico, maintained his innocence and stated that he was eventually released after several hours, a claim that remains unverified independently.
A court-approved search was being carried out by the department and the FBI at a Rio Rico location on Tuesday evening, expected to span multiple hours.
Guthrie vanished on February 1, sparking widespread attention across the nation. Prior to Tuesday, progress in unraveling the fate of the 84-year-old mother of ‘Today’ show host Savannah Guthrie, and identifying potential perpetrators, had been limited.
In two videos unveiled by the FBI, a masked individual, potentially armed, was observed tampering with the doorbell camera at Nancy Guthrie’s residence. The footage, disclosed by FBI director Kash Patel, was recorded on the day of her disappearance.
Authorities suspect that Nancy Guthrie was forcibly taken from her home near Tucson. Despite initial hope that surveillance cameras would yield clues, the doorbell camera went offline early on the day she went missing.
DNA analysis confirmed blood found on Nancy Guthrie’s porch matched hers, according to the sheriff. The investigation continues to raise uncertainties, including the possibility of ransom demands and the status of communication with potential abductors.
Savannah Guthrie, alongside her siblings, has issued public pleas to the abductors, expressing readiness to engage if proof of their mother’s well-being is provided. The family remains hopeful for Nancy Guthrie’s safe return and has urged the public to remain vigilant and report any relevant information.
Law enforcement officials are urging anyone with pertinent details to come forward, emphasizing the critical role of public cooperation in resolving the case and ensuring Nancy Guthrie’s safe return.