A suspect has been taken into custody in Arizona in connection with the abduction of Nancy Guthrie, mother of U.S. television host Savannah Guthrie, nine days after she was reported missing.
Authorities are investigating the case following new video and images released by law enforcement.
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department confirmed that deputies detained a subject during a traffic stop south of Tucson on Tuesday. The individual is being questioned in connection with the Nancy Guthrie investigation, though officials have not yet confirmed whether this person is the same as the suspect identified in earlier released images.
A U.S. law enforcement official, briefed on the case, said the detention marks a significant development in the investigation, which had appeared to stall in recent days.
Video shows intruder at Guthrie home
Authorities released video and images showing a man in a ski mask tampering with Nancy Guthrie’s door camera. The suspect, also wearing gloves and carrying a backpack, appeared armed with a gun in a holster.
The footage, recovered from a Google Nest camera, was recorded in the early hours of February 1, around the time Nancy Guthrie is believed to have been abducted.
Sheriff Chris Nanos confirmed that the doorbell camera was disabled that morning, and Guthrie’s pacemaker disconnected from her phone shortly afterward. DNA tests later confirmed that blood found on her front porch belonged to her.
Circumstances of abduction
Nancy Guthrie, 84, was last seen on the night of January 31 after her family dropped her off at home following dinner. Relatives reported her missing the following day when she failed to attend Sunday church services.
Law enforcement has described her as frail, with limited mobility, and dependent on daily medication to survive. Since her disappearance, at least two purported ransom notes have surfaced, but no proof of life has been provided.
Family pleads for help
Savannah Guthrie and her siblings have actively appealed to the public via social media for assistance and urged the kidnappers to communicate. Savannah shared the newly released images on Instagram, captioning: “We believe she is still alive. Bring her home.”
The case has drawn national attention, with White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stating that she and President Donald Trump reviewed the images during Tuesday’s press briefing.
