BREAKING: Person detained in Nancy Guthrie abduction case, officials confirm. The identity revealed has left the nation stunned
Authorities in Arizona have detained an individual for questioning in connection with the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of Today show host Savannah Guthrie. A law enforcement official briefed on the investigation told ABC News that the detention marks a significant development in the rapidly unfolding case. The person was reportedly taken into custody at a location south of Tucson. Investigators are now preparing to search a property linked to the individual.
The detention comes as investigators continue to comb through Nancy Guthrie’s neighborhood and follow every possible lead. Officials have not yet confirmed whether the detained person is the same individual captured in newly released surveillance footage. Law enforcement sources emphasized that the investigation remains active and complex. Authorities are working urgently to determine what happened in the early hours of February 1. The public has been urged to remain vigilant and report any information.
Earlier Tuesday, FBI Director Kash Patel released images and video showing what he described as an “armed individual” approaching Guthrie’s front door around the suspected time of her abduction. The footage depicts a masked figure wearing gloves, a backpack, and a holstered handgun. Patel said the individual appeared to have tampered with the home’s doorbell camera. The images were shared publicly in hopes that someone may recognize the suspect.
According to Patel, investigators worked with private sector partners to recover video footage that had been corrupted or inaccessible. Authorities believe recording devices may have been removed, complicating the search for answers. The FBI said residual data recovered from backend systems helped uncover these new images. Law enforcement officials showed the footage to the Guthrie family before releasing it publicly. Savannah Guthrie later posted the images online with an emotional plea for her mother’s return.
Nancy Guthrie was reported missing after she disappeared from her Tucson-area home on Sunday, February 1. The exact timeline remains unclear, but officials noted several troubling events during the night. Sheriff Chris Nanos said the doorbell camera disconnected at 1:47 a.m., motion detection registered a person shortly after, and Guthrie’s pacemaker app disconnected from her phone around 2:28 a.m. Her phone was later found left behind at the residence.
Over the weekend, the Guthrie family received a ransom demand from individuals claiming to have abducted Nancy. The message demanded payment in bitcoin and set a Monday deadline. Savannah Guthrie and her siblings publicly stated they were willing to pay to bring their mother home safely. “We beg you now to return our mother to us,” Guthrie said in a heartfelt Instagram video. The ransom deadline passed without confirmation of her release.
After the deadline expired, the FBI released a statement saying agents were continuing to work around the clock. Officials said they were not aware of any further communication between the family and the suspected kidnappers. Additional personnel from FBI field offices across the country have been deployed to Arizona. A 24-hour command post has been established, including crisis management experts, investigative teams, and analytic support. Authorities stressed that public assistance remains crucial.
The case has drawn national attention, with White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirming that President Donald Trump was briefed on the latest developments. Officials said the president reviewed the surveillance footage and urged anyone with information to contact the FBI immediately. Savannah Guthrie has continued posting desperate appeals, saying she believes her mother is still alive. As the investigation intensifies, authorities hope this latest detention could lead to answers — and ultimately, Nancy Guthrie’s safe return.
