SUMMARY
- FBI describes person of interest and releases backpack photo in search for Nancy Guthrie after her Feb. 1 disappearance near Tucson Arizona
- Law enforcement urges residents within two mile radius to review surveillance and report sightings of a gray truck
- Reward increased to $100,000 as investigation continues with limited public detail on suspect connection
TUCSON, Arizona — Federal authorities searching for Nancy Guthrie, the 84 year old mother of “Today” host Savannah Guthrie, have released a description of a man of interest and a black backpack and are asking residents near her home to check surveillance video for a gray truck.
According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation and local law enforcement. The FBI on Feb. 12 labeled Guthrie’s disappearance a “kidnapping” and described the person of interest as a male about 5‑foot‑9 to 5‑foot‑10, with an average build, based on footage recovered from a doorbell camera, the agency said.
Authorities also doubled the reward to $100,000 for information leading to Guthrie’s location or to the arrest and conviction of those involved.
Guthrie was last seen in the early morning hours of Feb. 1 outside her Tucson area residence, Pima County Sheriff’s Department officials said.
The rare public appeal for vehicle sightings and surveillance footage reflects investigators’ efforts to widen the search perimeter and identify movement patterns related to the case.
The FBI and Pima County Sheriff’s Department did not immediately respond to follow‑up questions about whether the gray truck is tied to the person captured on video or if traces of physical evidence have been found related to the vehicle.
Local law enforcement initially described Guthrie’s disappearance as suspicious. In the days following, the FBI assumed a lead role, publicly classifying the case as a kidnapping and releasing limited images connected to the investigation.
The person in the footage was not initially labeled a suspect but was described as someone authorities want to identify.
Neighbor reports of a gray truck seen around the time Guthrie vanished have joined the inquiry, although no make, model or license plate information has been provided publicly.
Police have emphasized that all leads are being investigated and that the public’s assistance is critical.
On Feb. 10, the Pima County Sheriff’s Department confirmed that a person with possible connections to the case was briefly detained and later released without charges, highlighting the complexity and caution in the investigation.
Criminal justice expert James Alan Fox, a professor emeritus of criminology, law, and public policy at Northeastern University, said releasing vehicle descriptions and backpack images can help generate public tips.
“Public appeals for specific items like a gray truck often are based on surveillance that shows repeated presence or unusual timing relative to the disappearance,” Fox said.
FBI Special Agent in Charge Michael McPherson said in a statement that law enforcement continues to pursue all leads and appreciates community cooperation but did not provide further details on the suspect’s identity or connection to the vehicle.
Local resident Maria Sanchez said she and neighbors have reviewed surveillance footage multiple times. “People want to help, we just need specific details,” Sanchez said.
Another neighbor, Thomas Lee, said community groups are organizing to distribute flyers and coordinate local searches.
Investigators are continuing to canvass neighborhoods and follow tips related to vehicle sightings and surveillance footage. Authorities will likely update the public as new verifiable information becomes available.
The search for Nancy Guthrie remains active as authorities piece together video evidence, vehicle reports and public tips in an effort to resolve her disappearance and ensure her safe return.
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