F.B.I. agents widened their search across the foothills north of Tucson on Wednesday after releasing a man detained near the Mexican border in connection with the disappearance of 84‑year‑old Nancy Guthrie. The development came hours after authorities published chilling surveillance footage of a masked figure on her porch, a release that has fueled national attention and a surge of tips but has not yet produced a breakthrough.
What to Know:
- Guthrie was last seen late January 31 after being driven home by her son‑in‑law; the front‑door camera disconnected at 1:47 a.m. on February 1.
- A man detained during a traffic stop near the border was questioned and released; he identified himself only as Carlos and said he had no knowledge of the case.
- F.B.I. agents and Pima County deputies continued searching roadways and desert areas near Guthrie’s home.
- Authorities released 44 seconds of surveillance footage showing a masked, armed figure approaching Guthrie’s porch around the time she vanished.
- Investigators say the camera was disabled shortly after the figure blocked the lens; the footage was later recovered from backups.
- Guthrie’s family has issued multiple video pleas and said they are prepared to hear ransom demands.
- A “court‑authorized search” was conducted overnight in Rio Rico; the man detained had been delivering food, according to relatives.
- Investigators are reviewing a message sent to a Tucson TV station, though they have not confirmed whether it is tied to an earlier Bitcoin ransom demand.
Stay with Newsweek as we track new developments in the search for Nancy Guthrie.
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