Lead: The FBI on Feb. 13 released a description of a person of interest in the disappearance of 84‑year‑old Nancy Guthrie, who vanished from her Tucson home on Feb. 1. Investigators say surveillance shows a masked male about 5’9″–5’10” wearing a black 25‑liter Ozark Trail backpack on Guthrie’s front steps; authorities have asked neighbors to check video from Jan. 1–Feb. 2. Pima County deputies and federal agents report DNA and several gloves recovered during expanded searches, while the county sheriff denies claims that local officials blocked FBI access to evidence. The probe remains active and collaborative, and officials continue to urge the public to submit tips and footage.
Key Takeaways
- The suspect is described as a male roughly 5’9″–5’10” of average build; surveillance shows a black 25‑liter Ozark Trail (Walmart) backpack on Feb. 1.
- Investigators recovered DNA at or near the scene that does not belong to Nancy Guthrie; forensic testing is being run at an out‑of‑state lab used by the sheriff’s office.
- Search teams found multiple gloves during operations; the closest glove was located about two miles from Guthrie’s home, and officials say no glove was found inside the residence.
- Authorities requested video from neighbors covering Jan. 1–Feb. 2 and specifically asked residents within a two‑mile radius to review footage for suspicious vehicles or pedestrians.
- Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos says his office has worked with the FBI and sent evidence to a contracted Florida lab; a federal source earlier alleged restrictions that the sheriff has publicly denied.
- The reward for information has been increased and the FBI is publicly seeking tips; at least one person has been detained briefly during the inquiry but no charges were announced at the time of reporting.
- Local weather forecasts called for precipitation on Feb. 13–14, but FBI Phoenix said investigators would continue work regardless of conditions.
Background
Nancy Guthrie, age 84 and the mother of NBC host Savannah Guthrie, was reported missing from her Catalina Foothills home in Tucson, Arizona, on Feb. 1. The case drew immediate local and national attention because of Guthrie’s age, documented medical needs—she reportedly uses a pacemaker and takes daily medication—and because surveillance footage showed an unknown masked person on the front steps the night she disappeared. Those factors raised concerns about a potential abduction rather than a voluntary absence.
Pima County and Tucson law enforcement have conducted extensive neighborhood canvasses and search operations, coordinating with federal partners. Historically, complex missing‑person inquiries in the U.S. often involve multiple agencies and labs; local agencies sometimes use long‑standing private lab contracts for continuity, while the FBI can process evidence at the national crime laboratory in Quantico when requested.
Main Event
On Feb. 13 the FBI released a still and a short description from surveillance showing a masked male wearing a black 25‑liter Ozark Trail backpack at Guthrie’s residence the night she disappeared. The posting was accompanied by an appeal for anyone with video from Jan. 1 through Feb. 2 to share footage showing vehicles, pedestrians or other activity near the home. Investigators emphasized that even brief clips or parking‑lot cameras could contain crucial leads.
During expanded field searches, teams recovered several gloves and biological material that investigators say do not match Guthrie or people known to be in her household; those samples are being processed to develop investigative leads. Authorities describe the search as both investigative and rescue‑oriented, reflecting ongoing hope that additional evidence will lead to Guthrie or clarify circumstances of her disappearance.
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos has publicly defended his office’s handling of the scene, saying evidence collection and evidence‑sharing decisions followed long‑standing procedures and that staff contacted the FBI early in the investigation. A federal law enforcement source previously alleged that the sheriff limited FBI access to certain items, an assertion Nanos called inaccurate; discussions with federal partners about where and how to test items have continued.
Analysis & Implications
The FBI’s public release of a suspect description and the backpack detail signals an investigative step intended both to generate new tips and to narrow potential matches. Experts often time such releases to leverage fresh public attention after preliminary leads have been developed; the specificity of the pack brand and size can help investigators query retail sales, local surveillance and vehicle records to create a focused list of persons of interest.
The presence of unidentified DNA at or near the scene materially shifts the inquiry toward forensic leads that can be matched against criminal databases or familial DNA searches, depending on what authorities authorize. While DNA alone rarely yields an immediate arrest, it can validate connections between locations, vehicles and individuals and is routinely pivotal as cases progress to charging decisions.
Local‑federal friction allegations—whether rooted in lab choice, evidence control or investigative authority—are common in high‑profile cases and can complicate public understanding even when agencies are collaborating operationally. Transparency about where evidence is being tested and why, coupled with clear public requests for community footage, helps preserve confidence in the inquiry and encourages tip flow.
Comparison & Data
| When | Event or finding |
|---|---|
| Feb. 1 | Guthrie disappears from Catalina Foothills home; surveillance captures masked male on front steps |
| Jan. 1–Feb. 2 (requested) | Authorities request neighborhood video covering this period |
| Mid‑search (around day 13) | Several gloves located; closest approx. two miles from home; DNA recovered that is not Guthrie’s |
| Feb. 13 | FBI releases suspect description and backpack detail; reward increased |
The simplified timeline helps place forensic developments (gloves, DNA) alongside public appeals. Comparing the location of evidence recovery to the residence suggests search activity extended well beyond the immediate property, influencing both search tactics and the scope of canvassing for video.
Reactions & Quotes
“We found DNA that was not Nancy Guthrie’s, and that is a key focus of the investigation,”
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos (interview)
Context: Sheriff Nanos emphasized ongoing cooperation with federal partners and defended his office’s evidence‑handling choices while urging continued public assistance.
“The FBI has been on the ground and is offering full resources to bring Nancy Guthrie home,”
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt (statement)
Context: The White House reiterated federal support and noted FBI leadership presence in Arizona; officials said coordination continues with local law enforcement.
“Increasing the reward now makes tactical sense to reach insiders or people close to the person responsible,”
Retired FBI supervisory agent Scott Duffey (analysis)
Context: Former investigators framed the reward escalation as a common tactic to surface tips from acquaintances or associates with direct knowledge.
Unconfirmed
- Allegations that the Pima County sheriff deliberately blocked FBI access to evidence remain disputed and lack public documentation beyond conflicting statements from sources.
- Reports that a glove was found inside Guthrie’s home are inconsistent with the sheriff’s public statements; officials say the closest glove recovered was about two miles away.
- Tiny details in circulating emails and social‑media claims—such as the person demanding bitcoin in exchange for a name—have not been verified by investigators and should be treated cautiously.
- Local mentions of a gray truck seen near the property have not been confirmed publicly as linked to the case or to any specific suspect.
Bottom Line
The FBI’s description of a masked male wearing a distinctive Ozark Trail backpack and the recovery of DNA not belonging to Nancy Guthrie mark substantive developments in a case still early in its forensic and investigative phases. Those findings expand the range of actionable leads—from retail purchase records to vehicle sightings and DNA comparisons—while underscoring the need for community cooperation in submitting video and tips.
Coordination between local and federal investigators will be central to converting those leads into definitive results. Readers with relevant footage or information should contact law enforcement through official tip lines; authorities caution against amplifying unverified claims that could hamper the investigation.