In the last 24 hours, significant updates have emerged in the investigation into the disappearance of 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie, mother of “Today” co-host Savannah Guthrie.
Although one individual was detained and later released, newly recovered surveillance footage from Guthrie’s Tucson home has drawn widespread attention. A former FBI agent now believes the suspected kidnapper may have made a critical mistake.
The FBI released images and video captured by a Nest security camera outside Guthrie’s home. The footage shows a masked person dressed in light-colored clothing approaching the residence at night. In one image, the individual appears to be carrying a firearm in a manner that stood out to former FBI agent Mark Harrigan.
Harrigan, who once led the FBI’s Firearms Training Program, described the way the weapon was carried as highly unusual. He noted that criminals typically conceal firearms to avoid attracting attention, suggesting the suspect’s exposed positioning of the weapon could indicate inexperience.
According to Harrigan, someone accustomed to carrying a firearm would likely wear it properly holstered at the hip. He speculated that the suspect may have initially hidden the weapon in a backpack before placing it at the waist when nearing the door. Private investigator Andy Kay agreed, describing the suspect as a “rookie” based on how awkwardly the firearm appeared to be positioned.
Another detail from the footage also raised questions. The masked figure appears to attempt to block the security camera by grabbing nearby vegetation. Harrigan said a more experienced criminal would likely have arrived prepared with tools—such as spray paint or equipment to remove the camera—rather than improvising.
The footage was released 10 days after Nancy’s disappearance. Authorities explained that the delay occurred because the home’s physical camera had been removed and there was no paid cloud storage subscription to automatically save the video. FBI Director Kash Patel stated that the video was recovered from residual backend data, indicating it had to be reconstructed from damaged or deleted files.
Additional recovered footage, from the same camera – at the same timeline the morning of Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance. This footage is just before the original video shared, with the individual approaching Nancy Guthrie’s front door.
1-800-CALL-FBI or https://t.co/h2BxNqSxkh pic.twitter.com/IgMHXWkL5X
— FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) February 10, 2026
The FBI is offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to Nancy Guthrie or her alleged abductor. Savannah Guthrie shared the images on Instagram, urging the public to help identify the suspect and expressing hope that her mother is still alive.
Patel recently confirmed that investigators are examining multiple persons of interest. He emphasized that progress has been made but cautioned that no one has been officially named as a suspect.
Earlier this week, authorities detained and questioned a man in connection with the case before releasing him without charges. The individual, Carlos Palazuelos, later told Fox News that he was stopped while making deliveries in Tucson and denied any involvement. He said investigators showed a relative a photo of a masked person and suggested the eyes resembled his.
The investigation remains ongoing.