Kidnapping of a journalist’s mother

(Tucson) A person has been taken into custody for questioning in connection with the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, according to two sources familiar with the case.

These sources indicated that this person was taken into custody Tuesday in an area south of Tucson. They did not immediately provide additional details, and it was not clear whether the person interviewed was the one who appeared in surveillance video taken outside Ms.’s home.^me Guthrie and aired earlier Tuesday.

The people were not authorized to discuss details of an ongoing investigation and spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity.

Authorities investigating the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie released the first video surveillance images Tuesday showing a masked person on the porch of her home the night she disappeared, more than a week ago.

The video released by the FBI shows this person, dressed in a backpack, long sleeves and pants, approach the door of the home of the mother of Savannah Guthrie, anchor of the “Today” show.

This person is then seen attempting to obscure the video doorbell located near the front door with their gloved hand, before placing plants to block the view.

The images show “an armed individual who appears to have tampered with Nancy Guthrie’s front door surveillance camera on the morning of her disappearance,” FBI Director Kash Patel told X. In the videos, the individual is seen wearing a gun holster on his belt.

Another video shows him deliberately lowering his head as he approaches the entrance. According to Mr. Patel, these videos come from “residual data stored in computer systems” after several days of unsuccessful searches for lost, corrupted or inaccessible images.

It’s a major breakthrough in an investigation that raises more questions than answers, including whether 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie is still alive. This advance comes as law enforcement and his family intensify their calls for witnesses.

DNA testing confirmed that blood found on Nancy Guthrie’s front porch matched hers, authorities said. She takes daily medication, has high blood pressure, has mobility issues and has a pacemaker. Authorities were initially unable to extract the footage from the cameras.

So far, they have released few details, making it unclear whether the ransom demands, for which deadlines had passed, were genuine or whether the Guthrie family had any contact with the kidnappers.

Savannah Guthrie posted the new surveillance footage on social media on Tuesday with the caption: “We believe she is still alive. Take her home,” along with the phone numbers of the FBI and the county sheriff. In just a few minutes, the post attracted thousands of comments.

Investigators hoped the home’s surveillance cameras would provide evidence in the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, who lived in an upscale residential neighborhood in suburban Tucson.

Unfortunately, the video doorbell was disconnected early Sunday morning. Although movements were recorded by the software minutes later, she did not have an active subscription, so no video could be recovered, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said.

Savannah Guthrie expresses her despair

The poignant messages from Savannah Guthrie and her family, at first full of hope, gave way to despair as they pleaded with the suspected kidnappers. In a video released just before Monday’s ransom deadline, Savannah Guthrie appeared alone and spoke directly to the public, not her captor.

“We are on the verge of despair,” she said Monday. We need your help. »

Authorities believe Nancy Guthrie was taken against her will from her home near Tucson. She was last seen there on January 31 and was reported missing the following day, after missing from church.

Connor Hagan, spokesperson for the FBI, assured Monday that the agency was not aware of any communications between the Guthrie family and the alleged kidnappers. Authorities have not identified any suspects or persons of interest, he said.

Three days after the search began, Savannah Guthrie and her two siblings made a first public appeal to the kidnappers, telling them: “We want to hear from you and we are ready to listen to you. »

In the recorded video, M^me Guthrie says her family was aware of news reports about a ransom demand, but first wanted proof that their mother was alive. “Please contact us,” they implored.

Last weekend, the family released a more cryptic video, which fueled speculation about Nancy Guthrie’s fate.

“We received your message and we understand. We are begging you to return our mother to us so that we can celebrate her life with her, said Savannah Guthrie, surrounded by her brothers and sisters. This is the only way we can find peace. She is precious to us and we will pay. »