The moon hung low over the shadowy streets of Tucson like a silent witness to unspeakable secrets, as the city grappled with the 14th day of a nightmare that has gripped the nation. Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of beloved “Today” show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, vanished without a trace from her $1 million home in the upscale Catalina Foothills neighborhood. But in a development that has sent shockwaves through the investigation and left the public on edge, new surveillance footage has surfaced showing an unidentified bald man—wearing a backpack eerily similar to the one donned by Nancy’s masked abductor—attempting to scale a stone wall just hours after her disappearance. This haunting video, obtained exclusively by Daily Mail, raises terrifying questions: Was this the kidnapper making a desperate escape? Or is there more than one player in this sinister game?

The footage, captured around 1:53 a.m. on February 1—the very night Nancy was taken—depicts the man in a gray zip-down jacket and blue jeans struggling to hoist himself over the wall. He removes one backpack while another remains strapped to his back, mirroring the black bookbag seen in the initial doorbell camera video of the masked intruder at Nancy’s front door. The struggle is brief but telling; he falters, then walks away into the darkness, leaving investigators to ponder if this is the same individual or a chilling coincidence in a case already riddled with mysteries.

the-sun.com

FBI increases reward and reveals more details about Nancy Guthrie suspect as forensics tent appears outside

Nancy’s ordeal began on the evening of January 31, when she returned home from a seemingly ordinary family dinner and game night with her daughter Annie Guthrie and Annie’s husband, Tommaso Cioni. Dropped off around 8 p.m., Nancy appeared in high spirits, waving goodbye as she entered her well-appointed residence—a place filled with memories of her late husband Charles and her three devoted children: Camron, Annie, and Savannah. Little did anyone know that within hours, her life would become the stuff of true-crime horror. At approximately 1:47 a.m. on February 1, her Google Nest doorbell camera abruptly disconnected, its final frames capturing a masked figure fumbling with the device. Just 41 minutes later, at 2:28 a.m., Nancy’s pacemaker—an implanted medical device crucial for regulating her heart rate—ceased pairing with her phone and Apple Watch, a disconnection that has fueled fears for her fragile health.

By morning, alarm bells rang. Nancy’s church friends, expecting her at services, grew concerned when she didn’t appear. Reported missing that afternoon, the case swiftly escalated from a welfare check to a full-blown kidnapping investigation. Pima County Sheriff’s deputies arrived to a scene straight out of a thriller: signs of forced entry, including a tampered window latch and scuff marks on the doorframe, along with traces of blood on the front porch that DNA tests later confirmed matched Nancy’s. Her essential heart medications were left untouched on the kitchen counter, suggesting she was snatched suddenly and without warning. “This isn’t a case of an elderly woman wandering off,” Sheriff Chris Nanos declared in an early press briefing. “We believe Nancy was abducted, and every second counts.”

The FBI, under Director Kash Patel, joined forces within hours, classifying the incident as a potential ransom kidnapping. Their involvement brought advanced resources, including teams dedicated to recovering lost or corrupted digital images from surveillance systems across the area. Hundreds of detectives and agents have been assigned, combing through leads in what has become one of the most high-profile missing persons cases in recent memory. The initial breakthrough came from Nancy’s own doorbell footage: a masked man, clad in thick black latex gloves and a black face mask, approaching the door with deliberate intent. He carries a black bookbag on his back—now a key piece of evidence—and appears to tamper with the camera before it goes dark.

wmbdradio.com

Investigators release video of masked man in Nancy Guthrie abduction | 1470 & 100.3 WMBD

But the plot thickened on February 12, the eleventh day of the search. Investigators discovered a lone black glove nestled in a small shrub near Nancy’s home, strikingly similar to the ones worn by the masked intruder in the video. Bagged and removed for forensic analysis, the glove has yet to be definitively linked, but its proximity to the crime scene has intensified scrutiny. That same day, a large white forensic tent was erected outside the property, shielding the entrance and front porch from prying eyes. Four officers arrived in an unmarked black vehicle around 8 a.m., equipped with gear including the tent itself. For about an hour, the site—where Nancy’s blood was previously found—became a hub of activity. Forensic tents are typically deployed to conceal sensitive evidence like bodies, weapons, or biological samples from weather and onlookers, sparking wild speculation among neighbors and media alike.

The tent’s appearance coincided with the release of the wall-climbing footage, adding another layer of intrigue. Captured around 1:53 a.m. on February 1, the video shows the bald man in his gray jacket and jeans, backpack slung over one shoulder, attempting to scale a stone wall in a nearby area. He removes one pack, struggles with the height, and abandons the effort, walking off into the night. Authorities have not confirmed if this is the same individual, but the backpack’s resemblance—described as a black Ozark Trail Hiker Pack, a 25-liter model commonly sold at Walmart—has fueled theories of a botched getaway or reconnaissance gone wrong.

nbcnews.com

FBI offers new details about the man seen on Nancy Guthrie’s porch

Ransom demands have further complicated the narrative, turning the case into a high-stakes cat-and-mouse game. The first note arrived via anonymous email to a family contact on February 3, demanding millions in Bitcoin for Nancy’s return. But the demands escalated when TMZ received a series of cryptic letters. On February 12, before 5 a.m. Pacific Time, one note demanded 1 Bitcoin (approximately $65,000) for information on the suspect seen at Nancy’s home. The sender claimed unsuccessful attempts to contact Camron Guthrie and Annie, stating, “Time is more than relevant.” A follow-up email that afternoon lamented, “I am not being taken seriously,” referencing potential incriminating details like Carlos Palazeulos, a delivery driver briefly detained but released. The sender demanded another Bitcoin to “lay low” amid fears of retaliation, insisting they knew the kidnapper’s identity. These notes, forwarded to law enforcement, use different Bitcoin addresses from previous demands, which included a staggering $6 million.

Law enforcement’s response has been aggressive. On February 12, a large SWAT raid targeted a property just two miles from Nancy’s home, involving an armored truck and a convoy of unmarked vehicles. Three individuals were detained, though details remain scarce. This operation, part of a broader sweep, underscores the urgency: with Nancy’s pacemaker offline and her medications abandoned, her survival hangs by a thread. The FBI has doubled the reward to $100,000 for tips leading to her recovery, urging residents within two miles to review their cameras. Outfit clues, like the backpack and gloves traced to Walmart, have prompted public appeals for anyone recognizing the items.

Nancy Guthrie’s life, now at the center of this storm, is one of quiet resilience and family love. Born in Kentucky in 1941, she married Charles Guthrie, a successful businessman, and raised her family in Tucson after Charles’s career brought them west. Charles’s sudden death from a heart attack when Savannah was 16 left Nancy to navigate widowhood with grace, instilling in her children values of strength and faith. As a retired teacher, Nancy lived independently in her million-dollar home, surrounded by desert beauty and close to Annie and Tommaso. Savannah has often spoken of her mother’s influence, posting a heartfelt tribute on Nancy’s 80th birthday: “Mom has met unthinkable challenges with grit, without self-pity, with determination, and always with unshakeable faith.”

abc7amarillo.com

FBI releases description of suspect in Nancy Guthrie case, shares photos of backpack

The family has been thrust into the spotlight, their pain broadcast nationwide. Savannah, 54, has stepped away from her “Today” duties, with Hoda Kotb filling in, to focus on the search. In a poignant Instagram video, she shared, “Our lovely mom. We will never give up on her. Thank you for your prayers and hope.” Camron Guthrie, Nancy’s son and a retired F-16 pilot, has become the family’s voice, dismissing the sheriff via text after perceived inaction. Annie, living nearby, has remained more private, but friends who were set to meet Nancy that fateful morning have broken their silence, speaking of her in the present tense with hope. Savannah’s husband, Michael Feldman, was spotted at a Florida airport for the first time since the abduction, his expression etched with worry.

Public reaction has been a tidal wave of support and speculation. Social media platforms buzz with #BringNancyHome, as vigils in Tucson and New York draw crowds praying for her return. True crime enthusiasts dissect the footage on Reddit and X, with one user noting, “That wall climb looks like someone fleeing the scene—could be the key.” Celebrities like Oprah Winfrey have tweeted solidarity, amplifying the call for tips. Podcasts and news outlets speculate on motives: Was it a random burglary gone wrong? A targeted hit tied to Savannah’s fame? Or something more personal, given the family’s prominence?

Kidnapping experts highlight the rarity of such cases involving elderly victims. “Abductions like this are uncommon and often involve acquaintances,” says former FBI profiler Brad Garrett. “The professional tampering suggests planning, but the ransom notes feel opportunistic.” The reference to Carlos Palazeulos in one note—a delivery driver detained but cleared—adds intrigue, perhaps indicating the sender’s insider knowledge or a red herring.

As Valentine’s Day dawns, the Guthries cling to hope amid despair. Nancy’s church community remembers her as a pillar of kindness, while her family vows unrelenting pursuit. “We’re a close-knit family, and this has shattered us,” Camron said earlier. With SWAT raids yielding no breakthroughs yet, the investigation presses on, fueled by the new footage and glove discovery.

This case etches itself into America’s collective consciousness, a reminder of vulnerability in even the safest enclaves. As the sun sets on another day without Nancy, one question haunts: Will the backpack man lead to her rescue, or deepen the enigma? The nation watches, prays, and waits—for Nancy Guthrie, the matriarch whose strength inspires, must come home.