BREAKING: FBI Director Releases Chilling Footage of Armed Suspect in Nancy Guthrie Disappearance
Washington, D.C. — In a significant development surrounding the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, FBI Director Kash Patel has released disturbing new surveillance footage that may hold the key to locating the missing 84-year-old. The footage, released Tuesday morning on the social media platform X, reveals a masked, armed individual tampering with the security camera at Guthrie’s Tucson, Arizona home on the morning she vanished.
Deep Search: Forensic Recovery of “Lost” Evidence
The newly released images were not immediately available to local law enforcement during the initial investigation. According to Director Patel, the footage was retrieved by FBI cyber forensic teams from “residual data located in backend systems.” The video captures a suspect clad in dark clothing and a full-face balaclava standing on Guthrie’s deserted doorstep in the early hours of February 1, 2026.
The individual, who appears to be holding a firearm, is seen reaching toward the front-door camera just moments before the device was disconnected. This technical recovery contradicts earlier assessments that the data had been irretrievably lost or overwritten, highlighting a breakthrough in the bureau’s digital forensic capabilities.
Background: A High-Profile Disappearance
Nancy Guthrie, the mother of NBC Today show co-host Savannah Guthrie, has been missing for ten days. She was last seen on the evening of January 31 after a family game night. Concerns escalated when she failed to appear for church the following day.
The investigation has gripped the nation, with Pima County Sheriff’s deputies initially discovering blood droplets on the front porch of her home—evidence that DNA testing confirmed belongs to Nancy Guthrie. Authorities have also acknowledged the existence of a ransom note with expired deadlines, adding a grim urgency to the search. The FBI has established a 24-hour command post and is offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to her recovery.
Objections and Critical Context
While the release of the footage is a major lead, it has raised questions regarding the timeline of the investigation. Critics and local observers have asked why it took ten days for federal authorities to uncover evidence from a doorbell camera, a standard piece of technology in modern investigations.
Furthermore, the high-profile nature of the case has drawn intense scrutiny toward Director Patel, who was confirmed to his post just days before the disappearance. His direct involvement and public release of evidence via social media break from traditional bureau protocols, sparking debate over whether the move is a transparent effort to solicit public help or a strategic attempt to demonstrate the efficacy of the new FBI leadership under the current administration.
Call to Action
Authorities are urging anyone with information about the suspect or the vehicle seen in the vicinity to contact the FBI immediately at 1-800-CALL-FBI or visit tips.fbi.gov.
“The President encourages any American across the country with any knowledge of the suspect to please call the FBI,” said White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt. “Pray she is found alive.”
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