Police have detained an individual in connection with the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of US television anchor Savannah Guthrie.
The person was taken into custody during a traffic stop, according to sources familiar with the investigation who spoke to CBS News. Authorities are also conducting a court-approved search of a property in Rio Rico, south of Tucson, Arizona, the Pima County Sheriff’s Department confirmed.
No details have been released about the identity of the detained individual or the nature of their suspected involvement. A woman identifying herself as the detainee’s mother-in-law told CBS that he had no connection to the case and accused authorities of unjustly searching her property.
Nancy Guthrie was reported missing more than a week ago after being abducted from her home in the Catalina Foothills area near Tucson. The case has prompted a large-scale search effort and repeated public appeals from her family.
Earlier in the day, the FBI released newly recovered surveillance images and video footage showing a masked individual at Guthrie’s front door on the night she disappeared. Authorities said the individual appeared to be armed.
According to FBI Director Kash Patel, investigators were able to retrieve previously inaccessible footage from the home’s surveillance system. He said the images may have been lost or corrupted, possibly due to the removal of recording devices.
Two short video clips show a masked figure approaching the front door, inspecting the camera, and then covering the lens with vegetation picked up from the ground.
Savannah Guthrie shared the footage on social media, urging the public to help identify the individual. “Someone out there recognises this person,” she wrote, adding that her family believes her mother is still alive.
A senior official told CBS that the White House is closely monitoring developments. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said President Donald Trump had reviewed the footage and described his reaction as “pure disgust.” She added that the president encouraged anyone with relevant information to contact the FBI.
Trump previously described the case as “very unusual” and directed federal authorities to assist in the investigation.
Nancy Guthrie was last seen on the evening of 31 January, when family members dropped her off at her residence. Authorities later reported finding blood on her porch, which forensic analysis confirmed belonged to her. Investigators also noted that the monitoring app connected to her pacemaker disconnected from her phone the same night.
Officials are examining a series of ransom notes believed to be linked to the abduction. Two of the messages reportedly included deadlines of 5 February and 9 February.
Savannah Guthrie and her siblings have repeatedly appealed for information through social media. In a recent video, posted on the day of one of the alleged ransom deadlines, she described the ongoing situation as a “nightmare” and urged the public to assist in locating her mother.
Family members have expressed concern about Nancy Guthrie’s fragile health, stating that she suffers from heart problems and chronic pain and requires daily medication. Authorities have echoed those concerns, warning that her condition could worsen without proper treatment.
The FBI is offering a reward of $50,000 (£36,000) for information that leads to progress in the case.