Police in Arizona have detained a person of interest in connection with the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of US television presenter Savannah Guthrie, as the search enters its second week.
Officers stopped the individual during a traffic stop and later launched a court-authorised search of a home in Rio Rico, south of Tucson, Arizona, according to officials.
Nancy Guthrie was last seen on 31 January at her home in Catalina Foothills, a wealthy suburb near Tucson, and investigators say she may have been abducted.
The case has drawn national attention in the US, with the FBI offering a $50,000 reward (around £36,000) and the White House reportedly monitoring developments.
What happened to Nancy Guthrie, and why are police now detaining someone?
Nancy Guthrie vanished after she was dropped off at her home on the evening of 31 January, and authorities believe she was taken against her will.
Now, police say they have detained a person of interest and are searching a property linked to the investigation. The Pima County Sheriff’s Department confirmed officers were carrying out a court-approved search in Rio Rico.
Authorities have not yet released the identity of the detained individual or confirmed whether charges will follow.
This matters because the detention suggests police believe they may be closing in on a suspect, especially after new surveillance footage emerged showing a masked figure outside Guthrie’s home.
What evidence have investigators found so far?
Investigators have released several key developments that have intensified concern about Nancy Guthrie’s safety.
Authorities have confirmed:
- Blood was found on her porch, and forensic analysis reportedly confirmed it was hers
- A masked individual appeared on her doorstep on the night she disappeared
- The individual appeared to tamper with the home security camera
- Nancy Guthrie’s pacemaker monitoring app disconnected from her phone on the night she went missing
- Police are investigating ransom notes with deadlines of 5 February and 9 February
In newly recovered footage shared publicly, the masked person can be seen approaching the front door, looking directly at the camera, and using vegetation to cover the lens.
In a statement posted on X, FBI Director Kash Patel said authorities recovered “previously inaccessible” images that show an armed person near the home.
New images in the search for Nancy Guthrie:
Over the last eight days, the FBI and Pima County Sheriff’s Department have been working closely with our private sector partners to continue to recover any images or video footage from Nancy Guthrie’s home that may have been lost,… pic.twitter.com/z5WLgPtZpT
— FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) February 10, 2026
“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,” FBI Director Kash Patel, statement on X
Why is the FBI involved in the Nancy Guthrie case?
The FBI typically becomes involved in cases involving suspected abduction, ransom demands, or where federal resources are needed.
Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance has triggered a large-scale response because:
- She is elderly and reportedly in poor health
- Investigators believe she was forcibly taken
- Ransom communications may be involved
- Potential evidence tampering has been reported
The FBI is offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to her recovery.
For UK readers, the scale of the response is similar to how police in Britain escalate cases involving vulnerable missing people, particularly when foul play is suspected.
What has Savannah Guthrie said about her mother’s disappearance?
Savannah Guthrie has shared repeated public appeals online, urging anyone with information to come forward.
In one of her most recent Instagram posts, she suggested someone may recognise the masked individual shown in the footage.
“Someone out there recognises this person. We believe she is still out there. Bring her home.” Savannah Guthrie, Instagram video appeal
She also warned that her mother’s health is deteriorating and that she needs medication.
“She is without any medicine. She needs it to survive. She needs it not to suffer.” Savannah Guthrie, Instagram appeal
The family has described Nancy Guthrie as being in constant pain and said her heart condition makes the situation even more urgent.
Where is the investigation happening, and what areas are being searched?
Police activity has focused on two main areas in southern Arizona:
- Catalina Foothills, where Nancy Guthrie disappeared
- Rio Rico, where police searched a home connected to the detained person of interest
Catalina Foothills lies about six miles (10km) north-east of Tucson and is known as a high-income residential area.
Rio Rico sits much closer to the Mexican border, raising further questions about whether investigators are exploring the possibility of cross-border movement, although officials have not confirmed this.
Has anyone defended the detained person of interest?
A woman speaking to US media outlets has identified herself as the detained individual’s mother-in-law and claimed he had no involvement in the disappearance.
She reportedly said police were unjustly searching her home. “They’re just invading my property,” attributed to the detained suspect’s mother-in-law, via CBS affiliate coverage
Police have not responded directly to those claims, and the investigation remains ongoing.
Is the White House really involved in the Nancy Guthrie investigation?
A senior official reportedly told US media that the White House is monitoring the situation.
US President Donald Trump has allegedly reviewed surveillance footage, and his press secretary Karoline Leavitt said his reaction was “pure disgust.”
“The President directed me to please encourage all Americans with any information to call the FBI.” Karoline Leavitt, White House press briefing
The President encourages any American across the country with any knowledge of this suspect to please call the FBI who continue to assist state and local authorities.
The prayers of the entire White House are with the Guthrie family. 🙏 https://t.co/LxxPwtW3oZ
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) February 10, 2026
While it is unusual for the White House to comment publicly on a missing persons case, the high-profile connection to Savannah Guthrie has brought intense public pressure and media coverage.
What makes the Nancy Guthrie case especially worrying?
This case has alarmed investigators because multiple factors suggest immediate danger:
- Guthrie is 84 years old
- She has a pacemaker
- Her health is described as “fragile.”
- Her medical monitoring system disconnected
- Blood evidence suggests she may have been harmed
- A masked person was filmed behaving suspiciously outside her home
Police have also warned that without her medication, she may not survive for long.
For UK readers, the circumstances resemble serious abduction investigations where police treat time as critical, especially when the victim is elderly or medically vulnerable.
What should the public do if they recognise the masked individual?
Authorities are urging anyone with information, no matter how small, to contact the FBI.
Police believe the masked person may be identifiable by:
- Their movement and posture
- Clothing and footwear
- Behaviour at the door
- The fact that they deliberately blocked the camera
Savannah Guthrie has publicly stated she believes someone will recognise them.
