Police in Arizona have detained an individual for questioning as part of the investigation into the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the mother of Today show co-host Savannah Guthrie. The Pima County Sheriff’s Department confirmed the development on Tuesday, Feb. 10.
According to officials, the individual was detained during a traffic stop south of Tucson. Authorities also indicated they are preparing to search a location associated with the person, as first reported by ABC News.
Earlier on Feb. 10, investigators released new images and video footage showing an armed, masked individual who appeared to interfere with the camera at Nancy Guthrie’s front door. Authorities have not confirmed whether the detained person is the same individual seen in the footage.
Law enforcement activity intensified throughout the region, with specialized units mobilized. The Oro Valley Police Department confirmed that regional SWAT teams and bomb squads were activated for a mission involving the Pima County Sheriff’s Department. Officials, however, declined to specify whether the operation was directly connected to the Guthrie investigation.
The detention follows reports of investigators, including agents from the FBI, canvassing the neighborhood of Annie Guthrie — Nancy’s daughter and Savannah Guthrie’s sister — where officers were seen conducting interviews.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(749x0:751x2):format(webp)/nancy-guthrie-020326-1-449e1ac9dbba4f9882025f5063aaa490.jpg)
Annie Guthrie’s property is located roughly four miles from Nancy Guthrie’s longtime residence in Tucson. Authorities have stated that Nancy was taken from her home during the early hours of Jan. 31.
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos previously told The New York Times that Nancy was last seen on the evening of Jan. 31. Her son-in-law, Tommaso Cioni, had driven her home after dinner with him and Annie.
Nancy Guthrie was reported missing on Feb. 1 after she failed to appear at a friend’s home to livestream a church service as scheduled. Law enforcement quickly launched a large-scale investigation, stating they believe she was taken against her will.
Investigators later confirmed that blood discovered on the exterior porch of Nancy Guthrie’s home matched her DNA. Authorities also noted that components of a Ring camera system had been removed from the front door area.
In the days following her disappearance, several media outlets, including KOLD News 13 and TMZ, reported receiving alleged ransom notes related to the case.
On Feb. 7, Savannah Guthrie and her siblings shared an emotional video message on Instagram addressed to those believed responsible for their mother’s disappearance, stating, “We will pay.”
