Man Detained and Released in Connection to Nancy Guthrie Disappearance
Police have released a man several hours after detaining him in relation to the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, mother of US news anchor Savannah Guthrie, according to CBS News, the BBC's US partner.
The man was taken into custody during a traffic stop, and authorities subsequently conducted a search of his residence in Rio Rico, located south of Tucson, Arizona, sources familiar with the investigation told CBS News.
Following his release, the man, identified only as Carlos, spoke to reporters outside his home, stating that he did not know who Nancy Guthrie was.
"I don't follow the news,"he said.
Nancy Guthrie, aged 84, was abducted from her home near Tucson more than a week ago, prompting an extensive search and urgent appeals from her family.
"I hope they get the suspect, because I'm not it,"Carlos said, according to a video posted on X by CBS reporter Andres Gutierrez.
Carlos, reportedly employed as a deliveryman, stated that he had been driving around when he noticed law enforcement officials following him. He added that the officers did not question him and made him wait for several hours in a parking lot.
A woman who identified herself as his mother-in-law earlier asserted that he was not involved in the case.
"They're just invading my property,"she was quoted as saying by CBS.
The Pima County Sheriff's Department confirmed that police were executing a court-authorized search at a location in Rio Rico, south of Tucson, Arizona.
FBI Releases New Surveillance Footage
The detention news emerged hours after the FBI released images and videos depicting a masked individual at Nancy Guthrie's doorstep on the night she disappeared. Authorities indicated the person was armed.
"As of this morning, law enforcement has uncovered these previously inaccessible new images showing an armed individual appearing to have tampered with the camera at Nancy Guthrie's front door the morning of her disappearance,"FBI Director Kash Patel stated on X.
He explained that authorities had been working to recover footage from the home surveillance system that may have been lost, corrupted, or inaccessible due to various factors, including the removal of recording devices.
The two brief videos show the individual approaching Nancy Guthrie's front door, inspecting the camera, then moving away to pick up some vegetation from the ground and using it to cover the camera lens.
Savannah Guthrie shared the new footage on Instagram, urging the public:
"Someone out there recognises this person. We believe she is still out there. Bring her home."
White House and Presidential Response
A senior official informed CBS that the White House was closely monitoring developments in Tucson.
During a press briefing on Tuesday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that US President Donald Trump had reviewed the surveillance footage.
"The President's initial reaction to the footage was 'pure disgust',"Leavitt said in response to a question.
"The President directed me to please encourage all Americans with any information to call the FBI,"she added.
President Trump, who ordered federal authorities to assist in the investigation, previously described the case as
"very unusual."
Details of Nancy Guthrie's Disappearance and Investigation
Nancy Guthrie was last seen at her home in Catalina Foothills, an affluent neighborhood approximately 6 miles (10 km) northeast of Tucson, on the evening of 31 January, when family members dropped her off after dinner.
Authorities are investigating a series of ransom notes that may have been sent by her abductors, including one containing two deadlines: 5 February and 9 February.
Savannah Guthrie and her siblings have released multiple videos on social media appealing for their mother's safe return.
The latest video was posted on Monday, the reported ransom deadline. In it, Savannah Guthrie implored the public to assist in locating her mother.
"I just want to share a few thoughts as we enter another week of this nightmare,"she said in the Instagram video.
"She was taken, and we don't know where. And we need your help."
The family has expressed concern regarding Nancy Guthrie's health, stating that her condition and heart are
"fragile"and that she
"lives in constant pain."
"She is without any medicine. She needs it to survive. She needs it not to suffer,"the news anchor stated in a video posted on Instagram.
Officials have also warned that Nancy Guthrie may be in critical condition without her medication.
Authorities reported that on the night of her disappearance, the app connected to her pacemaker—an implanted cardiac device—disconnected from her phone.
Police also discovered blood on Guthrie's porch, and analysis confirmed it belonged to her.
Reward and Ongoing Investigation
The FBI is offering a $50,000 (£36,000) reward for information related to the case.
