RIO RICO, Ariz. (AP) — A significant development arose Tuesday in the kidnapping case of Nancy Guthrie when authorities detained an individual for questioning after the FBI released surveillance footage showing a masked presence with a handgun holster near her home the night she disappeared. The Pima County Sheriff’s Department confirmed the detention occurred during a traffic stop south of Tucson.
In tandem with the investigation, the FBI has referred inquiries back to the sheriff’s department, which has yet to disclose the identity of the detained individual or details regarding their involvement. Meanwhile, a delivery person came forward claiming he was questioned but ultimately released by the police, a status not yet confirmed by local or federal authorities.
By Tuesday evening, investigators were on the ground in Rio Rico executing a court-authorized search to uncover more leads as the investigation seemed to draw out over the past week.
Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of NBC's Today show host Savannah Guthrie, went missing on February 1. Although the search initially yielded minimal progress, recent FBI surveillance footage has reignited public interest and concern, showcasing a suspicious figure who approached her front door wearing a ski mask — crucial evidence in order to shed light on her disappearance.
As the community rallies, many remain anxiously hopeful for her safe return. Savannah Guthrie and her siblings have publicly expressed desperation in their video appeals, indicating a willingness to pay a ransom for their mother’s return. Authorities have reported her to be mentally sound but in need of medications, intensifying the urgency of finding her before it's too late.
As investigations continue, Nancy Guthrie's family, supported by the public and notables across the nation, remain determined to bring her home safely amidst ongoing uncertainty.
