SUMMARY
- Police expanded searches around Annie Guthrie’s residence after releasing images of a possibly armed suspect.
- Investigators believe Nancy Guthrie was taken against her will from her Tucson home Jan. 31.
- Authorities say the case shows signs of premeditation, including tampering with a doorbell camera.
Authorities intensified their search of Annie Guthrie’s neighborhood in Tucson, Arizona, after releasing newly uncovered images of an armed, masked individual possibly linked to the disappearance of her mother, Nancy Guthrie, officials said Tuesday.
The development came as investigators from the Pima County Sheriff’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation canvassed homes, reviewed surveillance footage and questioned residents following what authorities describe as a suspected abduction.
The release of images showing a masked individual handling a firearm has added urgency and gravity to the investigation into Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance, one of the most closely watched missing person cases in southern Arizona in recent years.
Law enforcement officials say the search of Annie Guthrie’s neighborhood is part of a broader effort to reconstruct movements surrounding the night her mother vanished and to identify any witnesses who may have overlooked critical details.
Nancy Guthrie, a Tucson resident, was last seen the evening of Jan. 31 after having dinner with her daughter Annie Guthrie and son-in-law, Tommaso Cioni.
According to Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos, Cioni dropped her off at her home later that night. When Nancy failed to attend church the next morning, family members reported her missing Feb. 1.
Investigators later confirmed that blood found on the exterior porch of Nancy Guthrie’s home matched her DNA.
Authorities also said remnants of a Ring doorbell camera appeared to have been forcibly removed from the front door area, raising early concerns about foul play.
On Tuesday, officials released images obtained through what Sheriff Nanos described as “previously inaccessible” sources.
The photos show a masked individual wearing gloves and appearing to tamper with the victim’s front door camera in the early hours of the morning Nancy Guthrie disappeared.
The decision to release suspect images often signals a shift in investigative strategy, according to Tracy Walder, a former CIA and FBI special agent.
Walder told PEOPLE that searches of family adjacent properties, such as Annie Guthrie’s neighborhood, may involve either voluntary consent, a court approved search warrant or both, depending on the scope of evidence sought.
“This type of search suggests investigators are narrowing timelines and potential escape routes,” Walder said. “When a camera is disabled, it often points to advance planning rather than a spontaneous crime.”
Chris Nanos, sheriff of Pima County, said in a statement posted on X that the armed individual “appears to have tampered with the camera at Nancy Guthrie’s front door.”
He added that law enforcement agencies are working jointly to authenticate the images and determine whether the individual can be identified through clothing, posture or equipment.
A spokesperson for the FBI’s Phoenix field office declined to confirm whether the armed figure is a suspect, saying only, “We’re not confirming anything at this time.”
Residents in Annie Guthrie’s neighborhood said deputies visited multiple homes asking about surveillance footage. Tony Zaccagnini, a 74 year old neighbor, said he spoke with three sheriff’s deputies regarding the case.
“They didn’t ask for my phone number or nothing, but I have cameras set up in the front and back,” Zaccagnini told PEOPLE. “They were there last week asking to look at my cameras. We didn’t see anything on it.”
Law enforcement officials were also seen late Feb. 7 at the residence of Annie Guthrie and her husband, Tommaso Cioni, just hours after Annie and her siblings, Savannah and Camron Guthrie, released a video message appealing for their mother’s safe return.
Authorities say the investigation remains active and fluid. The release of the images is expected to generate new tips, particularly from residents who may recognize clothing or movements depicted in the photos.
Officials emphasized that the search of Annie Guthrie’s neighborhood does not imply wrongdoing by family members but reflects standard investigative procedure when narrowing geographic focus.
Sheriff Nanos said law enforcement will continue coordinating with federal partners and reviewing digital evidence, including surveillance systems beyond the immediate area of Nancy Guthrie’s home.
As the search continues, the case surrounding Nancy Guthrie underscores the growing role of residential surveillance technology in modern investigations and the challenges posed when such devices are deliberately disabled.
For Annie Guthrie and her family, the expanded police activity brings renewed attention to a disappearance that authorities say bears the hallmarks of a targeted and carefully executed crime.
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