Police release man detained in connection to Nancy Guthrie disappearance

February 11, 2026

Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of television news anchor Savannah Guthrie, was kidnapped from her Arizona home over a week ago by an armed, masked individual who tampered with her doorbell camera. Authorities recently recovered surveillance footage showing the suspect covering the camera lens with vegetation, and the FBI has released these images while offering a $50,000 reward for information. Police detained and searched the home of a man named Carlos in Rio Rico, but released him after several hours, with the suspect denying any knowledge of the case.

Who is affected

Nancy Guthrie (84-year-old abduction victim)
Savannah Guthrie and her siblings (Nancy's family members)
Carlos (detained individual who was later released)
Carlos's mother-in-law (whose property was searched)
The Catalina Foothills neighborhood community in Tucson, Arizona

What action is being taken

The FBI and Pima County Sheriff's Department are conducting an active investigation
Authorities are working to recover images from the home surveillance system
Federal authorities are involved following President Trump's directive
The White House is monitoring the situation
The FBI is offering a $50,000 reward for information
Authorities are investigating ransom notes that may be from the abductors
Savannah Guthrie and her siblings are releasing videos on social media pleading for their mother's release

Why it matters

This case involves the violent abduction of an elderly woman with serious health conditions who requires medication to survive, making it a time-sensitive emergency. The involvement of federal authorities, the White House, and FBI Director demonstrates the high-profile nature of the case due to the victim's connection to a prominent journalist. The release of surveillance footage showing an armed suspect tampering with security cameras highlights the premeditated and dangerous nature of the crime, while the ransom demands and health concerns create urgency for resolution.

What's next

Authorities are encouraging anyone with information to call the FBI
The FBI continues efforts to identify the masked individual shown in the surveillance footage
The family continues to make public appeals for information and their mother's safe return

Read full article from source: BBC