SUMMARY
- A man stopped during a traffic stop in Rio Rico was released after questioning in the Nancy Guthrie case.
- The FBI is reviewing doorbell camera footage showing a masked person outside Nancy Guthrie’s home.
- A $50,000 reward remains in place as investigators pursue persons of interest.
RIO RICO, Arizona — Authorities have released a man detained for questioning in southern Arizona as the search for Nancy Guthrie continues, even as federal investigators review surveillance video showing a masked, armed individual outside her home the night she disappeared.
The search for Nancy Guthrie, mother of “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie, has entered a critical phase as investigators narrow leads in Arizona and analyze newly recovered surveillance footage.
Authorities say her whereabouts remain unknown, underscoring the urgency of a case that has drawn national attention.
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department confirmed it executed a search warrant at a property in Rio Rico, about 60 miles south of Tucson near the Mexico border.
Investigators also searched a vehicle connected to the individual who was briefly detained.
Lillian Donahue, a reporter for CNN affiliate KNXV, said the man was stopped during a traffic stop and told authorities he did not know Nancy Guthrie and worked as a delivery driver. He was released after questioning.
Earlier Tuesday, FBI Director Kash Patel said the agency is examining “persons of interest” and proceeding through a process of elimination. He did not identify any suspects.
The FBI also released doorbell camera footage from outside Nancy Guthrie’s home recorded the night she disappeared.
The video appears to show a masked person wearing gloves and a backpack. At one point, the individual seems to tamper with the camera and cover it with plants taken from the front yard.
Google engineers assisted law enforcement in recovering the data from the Nest doorbell system after several days, according to officials familiar with the effort.
Kristian Hammond, a professor at Northwestern University and an artificial intelligence expert, told CNN that advances in image enhancement and behavioral pattern analysis can help investigators refine suspect identification.
“AI tools can reconstruct degraded footage and compare movement patterns against large datasets,” Hammond said.
“That does not replace traditional investigative work, but it can narrow the field significantly.”
A former police captain familiar with firearm practices, who reviewed still images released by the FBI, noted that the visible “universal nylon style holster” is not typically used by experienced gun owners.
Such details, law enforcement officials say, may assist in profiling. Cross border geography also adds complexity.
Rio Rico’s proximity to Mexico increases the logistical scope of the search, requiring coordination among federal and local agencies.
Pima County Sheriff’s Department spokesperson Sgt. Aaron Cross said investigators are following multiple leads.
“We have completed the search authorized by warrant and continue to work closely with our federal partners,” Cross said.
Savannah Guthrie reposted the surveillance images on Instagram shortly after their release, writing, “We believe she is still alive. Bring her home.”
Law enforcement officials emphasized that the release of images and the reward are intended to generate public tips rather than signal a confirmed suspect.
Authorities said forensic analysis of the surveillance footage remains ongoing. Investigators are also reviewing digital records and conducting interviews connected to persons of interest.
The FBI continues to offer a $50,000 reward for credible information leading to Nancy Guthrie or the identification of the individual seen in the video. Officials urged anyone with information to contact federal authorities.
As the search for Nancy Guthrie continues, investigators are combining traditional police work with emerging technology in an effort to identify the masked figure captured on camera.
With no arrests announced and no confirmed suspect publicly named, the case remains active, driven by coordinated federal and local efforts to determine what happened the night she vanished.
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