Expert Says New Images, Videos Bring Hope in Search for Nancy Guthrie: ‘So Much Here’

Law enforcement experts say newly released surveillance images in the disappearance of Savannah Guthrie’s mother could prove pivotal, expressing optimism that the footage may help identify the person seen at Nancy Guthrie’s door the night she vanished.

The video, released by authorities on Tuesday, Feb. 10, shows a person wearing a ski mask and gloves walking up to the front door of the home. The person appears to have tampered with the front door camera, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said in a post on X.

Chip Massey, a former FBI hostage negotiator, said the footage represents a major step in the investigation.

“Before, we were working from almost nothing,” he said. “But here now we have the image of the captor, of the person breaking into this house. So there is so much here. We’re gonna know his height, his weight. And I guarantee you, more importantly, there is somebody out there that knows exactly who this is.”

Massey added that someone who recognizes the individual may be able to identify them—if they come forward.

Former FBI assistant director Kieran Ramsey said the goal of releasing images and video is to jog the memory of anyone who might recognize something helpful.

Ramsey said it appears the unidentified person took steps to avoid being easily identified, but that the public release is intended to draw attention to other observable details.

According to Ramsey, the decision to release the footage can also increase pressure on anyone involved. “This public exposure is going to raise the stress on anyone involved in this, especially if there is anybody that’s maybe just a helper or a facilitator who didn’t really sign up for how high profile this went,” he said.

Nanos said the video was recovered from residual data in backend systems. He added that, working with partners, law enforcement uncovered previously inaccessible images showing an armed individual appearing to have tampered with the camera at Nancy Guthrie’s front door the morning of her disappearance.

After the footage was released, Savannah Guthrie reposted the images on her Instagram, writing, “We believe she is alive. Bring her home.”

Nancy vanished from her home in Tucson, Ariz., after being dropped off by her family at 9:48 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 31. Her family reported her missing at 12:15 p.m. on Feb. 1, after she missed church.

Law enforcement launched a wide-ranging investigation, saying she was taken against her will. A trail of blood later confirmed to be hers was found on the front steps of her home.

In the days leading up to the video release, alleged kidnappers sent ransom notes to several media outlets.

Guthrie, 54, and her two siblings also made emotional pleas to the alleged kidnapper or kidnappers in videos posted on Instagram.

The alleged kidnappers set an initial deadline for 5 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 5, and a second deadline for 5 p.m. Monday, Feb. 9. On Feb. 9, federal authorities said they were “not aware” of any contact between the family and unidentified suspects.