The FBI released the first surveillance footage and images Tuesday in the ongoing investigation into the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of NBC’s TODAY co-anchor Savannah Guthrie. The material, recovered from residual data in backend systems of her Google Nest doorbell camera, shows a masked individual appearing to tamper with the device at her front door in the early morning hours of February 1, 2026—the day she was reported missing from her home in the Catalina Foothills neighborhood outside Tucson, Arizona.
The short video clips and accompanying black-and-white stills depict a person dressed head-to-toe in dark clothing: a full-face ski mask, gloves, long sleeves, pants, sneakers, and a backpack. The individual approaches the porch carrying what appears to be a flashlight held in their mouth, with a holstered handgun visible at the waist. They tilt their head to avoid direct view of the camera, reach up with a gloved hand to cover or manipulate the lens, then turn away briefly to grab nearby vegetation—possibly plants or flowers from the yard—and place it in front of the device to obscure recording. The footage, lasting less than a minute combined, captures the deliberate act of disabling the camera before any further activity is shown.
FBI Director Kash Patel announced the release on X, stating: “Working with our partners—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.” The agency credited technical assistance from Google for recovering the data, which had initially seemed lost due to the camera being disconnected at approximately 1:47 a.m. and Nancy Guthrie lacking an active subscription for full cloud storage. Motion detection still logged activity shortly after, but visual recovery required advanced forensic efforts.
Nancy Guthrie was last seen at her residence on the evening of January 31, 2026. She failed to attend church the following day, prompting family concern and a missing person report. Authorities quickly determined she had been taken against her will after discovering her blood on the front porch—confirmed by DNA testing—and the tampered camera. The Pima County Sheriff’s Department, leading the investigation with FBI support, has classified the case as a suspected abduction. Guthrie requires daily medication for high blood pressure, heart issues, and a pacemaker, raising urgent concerns about her well-being without access to treatment.
The release marks the most significant public development since the search began over ten days ago. No suspects or persons of interest have been named, and investigators emphasize that the individual in the footage is a “potential subject” whose identity remains unknown. The images, though the person is heavily concealed, reveal details that could generate tips: body build, gait, clothing specifics including the backpack and holster type, and partial visibility of eyes through mask openings. Former FBI profilers noted the deliberate coverage suggests planning and familiarity with surveillance countermeasures, potentially indicating burglary or kidnapping experience.
The Guthrie family has issued multiple emotional public appeals. Early videos addressed presumed kidnappers directly, pleading for contact and offering to listen. Messages evolved from hopeful (“We are ready to listen”) to cryptic acknowledgments of received communications (“We received your message, and we understand”), culminating in desperate pleas to the public. Savannah Guthrie, appearing alone in her latest statement, declared: “We are at an hour of desperation. We need your help.” She urged nationwide vigilance, noting: “No matter where you are, even if you’re far from Tucson, if you see anything, if you hear anything.” The family maintains belief that Nancy Guthrie is alive, despite passing purported ransom deadlines and no confirmed proof of life.
Ransom notes sent to media outlets demanded payment with time-sensitive deadlines that expired without resolution. Authorities have not authenticated these letters or confirmed direct contact with abductors, treating all tips seriously. The FBI launched digital billboards in cities across Texas to California and expanded neighborhood canvassing, including areas near daughter Annie Guthrie’s home.
The case has gripped national attention due to Savannah Guthrie’s prominence as a longtime TODAY anchor. Public response surged after the video release, with increased calls to the FBI tip line (1-800-CALL-FBI) and website (tips.fbi.gov). Experts suggest the footage could crowdsource identifications based on non-facial traits like posture, accessories, or vehicle sightings nearby.
As the investigation intensifies, questions linger: Who is the masked figure? Was this a targeted abduction, random crime, or something else? With no arrests and time critical for an elderly woman with medical needs, every lead matters. The footage, chilling in its calculated precision, serves as both evidence and a stark reminder of vulnerability—even in quiet neighborhoods. The nation watches, hoping this breakthrough brings Nancy Guthrie home safely.