In a dramatic twist to one of the nation’s most high-profile missing persons cases, retired Houston forensic artist Lois Gibson has stepped out of retirement to release a striking, unofficial sketch of the masked individual captured on doorbell camera footage outside Nancy Guthrie’s home. The 84-year-old mother of NBC’s “Today” show co-host Savannah Guthrie vanished from her Tucson, Arizona residence on February 1, 2026, in what authorities describe as a targeted abduction.

Gibson, a Guinness World Record holder renowned for her work with the Houston Police Department over 43 years—where she contributed to solving more than 1,300 cases—posted the drawing on social media, candidly explaining her process. “I GUESSED at the parts of face covered with ski mask,” she wrote, basing the rendering on publicly released FBI surveillance images. She focused on verifiable details: the spacing of the eyes, the visible portion of the lips and mustache, and subtle facial structure cues like the philtrum (the groove between nose and upper lip). From there, she inferred the rest, including nose shape, overall bone structure, and eye characteristics, to create a fuller portrait of the suspect.

The original footage shows a figure in a ski mask, gloves, and backpack approaching the door, flashlight in mouth, handgun holstered, deliberately obscuring the camera lens before the disappearance. Official descriptions from law enforcement note the person as a male between 5’9″ and 5’10” tall, but little else has been publicly confirmed, heightening the mystery and national attention.

Gibson emphasized that this is not an official police composite— she acted independently, driven by compassion after viewing the chilling video. “I spent 43 years helping detectives with similar limited photos,” she noted, adding she’s willing to face criticism if the “guess” proves off-base. Her motivation stems from decades of hearing families’ anguish: the torment of not knowing a loved one’s fate. At 76, she declared she’s prepared to risk her reputation if the sketch aids in Nancy’s safe return.

The release has sparked widespread discussion, with media outlets highlighting Gibson’s track record of turning vague evidence into breakthroughs. While authorities continue their investigation, expanding searches and following leads, this unsolicited yet expert interpretation adds a new layer to public awareness. The suspect’s deliberate actions—arming himself, masking up, and disabling surveillance—suggest premeditation, raising questions about motive and possible connections.

As tips flood in and the FBI urges vigilance, Gibson’s sketch serves as a powerful reminder: even behind layers of concealment, determined eyes and faint outlines can begin to tell a story. The puzzle pieces are aligning, and every shared detail could bring Nancy Guthrie home. The nation watches, hoping this bold artistic insight pierces the veil of mystery surrounding her fate.