George Anjay
Police have released a man hours after they detained him in connection to the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the mother of US news anchor Savannah Guthrie, CBS News, the BBC’s US partner, has reported. After taking the man into custody at a traffic stop, police searched his home in Rio Rico, south of Tucson, Arizona, sources familiar with the investigation told CBS News. After his release, the man, identified only as Carlos, told reporters outside his home that he did not know who Nancy Guthrie was. "I don’t follow the news," he said.
Guthrie, 84, was abducted from her home near Tucson more than a week ago, sparking a widespread search and desperate appeals from her family. "I hope they get the suspect, because I’m not it," Carlos said, according to a video posted on X by CBS reporter Andres Gutierrez. Carlos, reportedly a deliveryman, said he had been driving around and noticed authorities were following him. He added that the officers did not ask him any questions and made him wait for hours in a car park. A woman who identified herself as his mother-in-law earlier said that he had nothing to do with the case. "They’re just invading my property," she was quoted as saying by CBS. The Pima County Sheriff’s Department had confirmed police were conducting a court-authorised search at a location in Rio Rico, south of Tucson, Arizona.
The news of the detention came hours after the FBI released images and videos of a masked person at Nancy Guthrie’s doorstep on the night of her disappearance. Authorities said the individual was armed. "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," FBI Director Kash Patel said in a statement on X. He said authorities had been working to recover images from the home surveillance system that "may have been lost, corrupted, or inaccessible due to a variety of factors – including the removal of recording devices". The two short videos show the person approach the front door of Nancy Guthrie’s home, then check the camera before moving away, picking up some vegetation from the ground and using it to cover the camera lens. Savannah Guthrie shared the new video on Instagram. "Someone out there recognises this person," she said on Tuesday. "We believe she is still out there. Bring her home."
A senior official told CBS that the White House was monitoring the situation in Tucson closely. Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said that US President Donald Trump had reviewed the surveillance footage. Trump’s initial reaction to the footage was "pure disgust", Leavitt said in response to a question at the press briefing. "The President directed me to please encourage all Americans with any information to call the FBI," she added. US President Donald Trump, who ordered federal authorities to help in the investigation, previously called the case "very unusual".
Guthrie was last seen at her home in Catalina Foothills, an affluent neighbourhood roughly 6 miles (10km) north-east of Tucson, on the evening of January 31, when family members dropped her off after dinner. Authorities are investigating a series of ransom notes that could have been from her abductors, including one that contained two deadlines: February 5 and February 9. Savannah Guthrie and her siblings have released several videos on social media pleading for their mother’s release. The latest video was posted on Monday, the reported ransom deadline. In it, Savannah Guthrie pleads for the public to help locate her missing mother. "I just want to share a few thoughts as we enter another week of this nightmare," she said in a video posted on Instagram. "She was taken, and we don’t know where. And we need your help."
The family has warned about their mother’s ill health, saying that her health and heart were "fragile" and she "lives in constant pain". "She is without any medicine. She needs it to survive. She needs it not to suffer," the news anchor said in a video posted on Instagram. Officials have also warned that Nancy Guthrie may be in dire health without her medication. Authorities said that on the night of her disappearance, the app on her pacemaker—an implanted cardiac device—disconnected from her phone. Police also said they found blood on Guthrie’s porch, and analysis confirmed it was hers. The FBI is offering a $50,000 reward for information on the case.
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department, in collaboration with the FBI and other law enforcement agencies, has been engaged in an intensive search for Nancy Guthrie since her disappearance was reported on February 1st. The initial report came from her family, who were unable to reach her after dropping her off at her residence the previous evening. Investigators quickly established that Nancy Guthrie had been forcibly taken from her home. The scene at her residence indicated a struggle, with evidence of blood found on the porch, later confirmed to be hers through forensic analysis. This discovery heightened concerns for her safety and well-being, especially given her reported fragile health.
The investigation took a significant turn with the release of surveillance footage from Guthrie’s home. The grainy images captured a masked individual tampering with the front door camera in the early hours of the morning of her disappearance. This act suggested a deliberate attempt to obscure evidence and evade detection. The FBI, working to recover potentially compromised data from the home’s surveillance system, managed to retrieve these crucial visual records. The footage depicts the suspect approaching the door, inspecting the camera, and then using vegetation to cover its lens. This detail underscores the premeditated nature of the abduction.
The public appeal for information has been amplified by Savannah Guthrie and her siblings, who have shared heartfelt videos on social media platforms. These pleas, often accompanied by images of their mother, have aimed to galvanize public support and encourage anyone with even the smallest piece of information to come forward. Savannah Guthrie, in particular, has spoken candidly about the emotional toll the ordeal has taken on the family, emphasizing her mother’s vulnerability and the urgent need for her safe return. The family has stressed that Nancy Guthrie requires specific medication for a heart condition, and her prolonged absence without it poses a serious threat to her life.
The ransom notes discovered by investigators added another layer of urgency to the case. The presence of deadlines indicated a potential timeline for the abductors, though their exact motives and demands remain unclear. Law enforcement officials have been meticulously analyzing these notes for any clues that could lead to Guthrie’s whereabouts. The information gleaned from these notes, combined with the surveillance footage and other forensic evidence, has guided the ongoing investigative efforts.
The detention and subsequent search of the Rio Rico home were part of a broader investigative strategy aimed at pursuing leads generated from the available evidence. While the man detained, identified as Carlos, denied any knowledge of Nancy Guthrie or the case, law enforcement officials deemed it necessary to investigate his residence. The search of his property was conducted under a court-authorized warrant. The release of Carlos without charges suggests that the initial information connecting him to the case was insufficient or that his alibi and statements were deemed credible by investigators. However, the fact that his home was searched underscores the exhaustive nature of the investigation, which leaves no stone unturned in the pursuit of Nancy Guthrie.
The involvement of the White House highlights the national attention this case has garnered. President Donald Trump’s directive for federal authorities to assist in the investigation and his public expressions of concern demonstrate the seriousness with which the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie is being treated. The President’s reaction of "pure disgust" to the surveillance footage reflects the outrage felt by many Americans at the apparent brazenness of the abduction. The offer of a $50,000 reward by the FBI serves as a significant incentive for the public to provide actionable intelligence.
The details surrounding Nancy Guthrie’s health are a critical element in the ongoing search. Her pacemaker’s disconnection from her phone on the night of her disappearance is a disturbing indicator of the circumstances she may be facing. This technological anomaly, coupled with her known medical needs, paints a grim picture of her potential condition. Law enforcement and the family are acutely aware that time is of the essence, and every hour that passes increases the risk to her life.
The investigation continues to focus on identifying the masked individual seen in the surveillance footage and exploring all possible leads related to the ransom notes and the circumstances of the abduction. The collaborative efforts between local, state, and federal agencies, along with the unwavering determination of the Guthrie family, form the bedrock of the ongoing search. The public remains hopeful that the extensive media coverage and the substantial reward will ultimately lead to Nancy Guthrie’s safe return. The community, deeply affected by this distressing event, continues to rally around the Guthrie family, offering support and prayers during this incredibly difficult time. The authorities are urging anyone who recognizes the individual in the video or has any information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, to contact the FBI or local law enforcement immediately. The hope is that the comprehensive investigation, fueled by public cooperation and dedicated law enforcement efforts, will bring a resolution to this deeply concerning case and reunite Nancy Guthrie with her worried family.
Ramos Leo
Nakalama John
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