FBI Shares New Images of Armed Figure in Nancy Guthrie Case

Federal Bureau of Investigation agents released new surveillance images Tuesday showing an armed person at the front door of Nancy Guthrie's home in Tucson, Arizona. The 84-year-old woman, mother of NBC's TODAY show co-host Savannah Guthrie, has been missing since February 1, 2026, after failing to attend church services. Authorities believe the figure tampered with her door camera that morning, and they are asking the public for help identifying the individual.

Background

Nancy Guthrie lives alone in a quiet Tucson neighborhood. On January 31, she had dinner with her daughter Annie at Annie's nearby home. Family members saw her return to her own house around 9:45 p.m. that night. The next morning, she did not answer calls or show up for her regular Sunday church service. Concerned relatives went to her house and found it empty, with no signs of a struggle inside.

Word spread fast because of her connection to Savannah Guthrie, who has a big following on morning TV. Savannah and other family members soon posted videos online, asking people to share information about her mother's whereabouts. They described Nancy as a loving grandmother who enjoyed her daily routines and church community.

Local police from Pima County Sheriff's Department started the search right away. They checked her home, nearby areas, and talked to neighbors. Within days, the case grew bigger when federal agents stepped in, treating it as a possible kidnapping. The FBI set up a command center and brought in extra staff to work around the clock.

Reports emerged about notes that might be ransom demands. Three news organizations said they got these notes, which mentioned Guthrie but lacked proof she was being held. Agents confirmed they received similar messages and are looking into them closely. No demands for money have been made public, and no group has claimed responsibility.

The neighborhood where Guthrie lives saw some activity during the search. Police towed a car from her property one night, though the houses nearby were empty at the time. Investigators have collected data from phones, computers, and security systems in the area to build a timeline.

Key Details

FBI Director Kash Patel announced the new images in a post on X on Tuesday afternoon. The photos and video came from Guthrie's front door camera, which records visitors. Agents said the person appears to have tampered with the device, possibly trying to disable it or remove parts.

Recovery of the Footage

For over a week, FBI teams worked with tech experts to pull data from the camera system. They found residual information in back-end servers that had been lost, corrupted, or made inaccessible. This included footage from the morning of February 1, showing the armed figure at the door. Patel noted close work with private companies that handle these systems.

The individual in the images wore a mask and carried what looks like a weapon. Agents described them as a potential subject of interest but have not named a suspect or made arrests. They urged anyone with tips to call 1-800-CALL-FBI or submit online.

Savannah Guthrie posted a new video on Instagram Monday, thanking people for their prayers and support. She repeated pleas for her mother's safe return. Her tone showed worry but also hope as the investigation moves forward.

Additional FBI personnel arrived in Tucson to support the effort. They set up a 24/7 operation, reviewing every piece of evidence. Local reporters noted a shift in how agents talk about the case, with more details on the ransom notes and their content.

"Over the last eight days, the FBI and Pima County Sheriff’s Department have been working closely with our private sector partners to continue to recover any images or video footage from Nancy Guthrie’s home that may have been lost, corrupted, or inaccessible." – FBI Director Kash Patel

Family members have stayed active in the search. They handed out flyers, spoke to media, and met with investigators. Savannah's co-workers on TODAY have shared updates during broadcasts, keeping the story in the spotlight.

What This Means

These images mark the first clear look at someone linked to the scene on the day Guthrie vanished. They could help narrow down who was there and why the camera was touched. If the person tampered with it to hide evidence, that points to planning ahead of time.

The ransom notes add another layer. Without proof of life, agents treat them as possible hoaxes or real leads. Past kidnapping cases in the area show how these notes can sometimes come from people close to the victim or outsiders seeking attention.

Public tips have poured in since the case went national. Neighbors recall seeing unusual cars or people around Guthrie's street in recent weeks. One report mentioned a delivery that did not match her habits, though details remain unconfirmed.

The FBI's push to recover data shows how much rides on home tech in modern cases. Door cameras often catch key moments, but they can fail or get wiped. This recovery might encourage other families to check their systems for hidden footage.

For the Guthrie family, each day without word brings more strain. Savannah has taken time off work to focus on the search. Church friends and community members hold prayer vigils, hanging signs with Nancy's photo around Tucson.

Law enforcement now has a face—or at least a masked image—to chase. Matching it to known people could break the case open. Meanwhile, agents watch for patterns in similar disappearances of elderly residents in the Southwest.

The investigation covers ground from Guthrie's home to possible hideouts in the desert areas nearby. Helicopters and search teams have combed trails and empty lots. No trace of her car or personal items has turned up outside her property.

This release aims to jog memories. Someone out there may have seen this person before February 1. With a full-scale federal effort, pressure builds on anyone holding information to come forward.

Tucson police keep daily contact with the family, sharing what they can. The mix of local and federal work has sped up leads, but the core question remains: where is Nancy Guthrie?