🚨 BIG BREAKTHROUGH UPDATE in the search for Nancy Guthrie: FBI’s recovered doorbell camera video has led to the FIRST detention — a man was pulled over and questioned for hours in connection with her disappearance… but released without charges.

Now, authorities are revealing they’re looking into multiple persons of interest as tips pour in (over 30,000+ calls!). The masked figure in the footage, that specific black Ozark Trail backpack, plus new details like height/build and even DNA evidence not matching Nancy or close contacts — it’s all ramping up the intensity on Day 13+.

Read more:

The investigation into the disappearance of 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie, mother of NBC “Today” show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, has seen significant momentum in mid-February 2026. Federal and local authorities recovered previously inaccessible doorbell camera footage from her Tucson home, leading to the brief detention of one individual and public acknowledgment of multiple persons of interest under review.

Nancy Guthrie was last seen at her residence in the Catalina Foothills area on the evening of January 31, 2026. She failed to appear for planned activities the following day, prompting family members to report her missing. The case quickly escalated to a potential kidnapping, drawing involvement from the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Phoenix Field Office alongside the Pima County Sheriff’s Office.

The breakthrough came when FBI technicians, working with private technology partners, extracted residual data from the home’s smart doorbell system—likely a Nest or similar device. Initial reports suggested the camera had been tampered with or disconnected, and without an active subscription, footage appeared lost. However, forensic recovery efforts yielded multiple video clips and still images showing an unidentified male approaching the front door in the early morning hours of February 1.

The suspect is described as a male, approximately 5’9″ to 5’10” tall, with an average build. He wore long sleeves, pants, black gloves, a mask, and carried a black 25-liter “Ozark Trail Hiker Pack” backpack—a model sold exclusively through Walmart. In one clip, the individual appears to cover the camera lens with vegetation after initially attempting to block it with a hand. Authorities noted what appeared to be a holstered item on the person’s side, though details remain limited.

Hours after the FBI publicly released the images and videos via social media posts from Director Kash Patel and the Phoenix office, Pima County Sheriff’s deputies detained a man during a traffic stop in Rio Rico, Arizona—about 60 miles south of Tucson. The individual, later identified by media as Carlos Palazuelos, was questioned for several hours in connection with the case. He was released without charges the following morning. Palazuelos told reporters he was shocked by the detention, stated he had no knowledge of Guthrie, and asserted his innocence. Authorities have not confirmed whether he matched the video description or provided further details on the stop.

FBI Director Kash Patel publicly stated that investigators are examining “persons of interest” in the plural, though no names or specifics have been released. Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos, in interviews and briefings, emphasized the high volume of tips—over 30,000 calls and submissions since early February—and confirmed recovery of DNA evidence from the property that does not belong to Guthrie or individuals in regular close contact with her. The DNA has been sent for testing, with some reports noting delays due to local lab issues prompting shipment to Phoenix facilities.

The FBI doubled its reward to $100,000 for information leading to Guthrie’s location or the arrest and conviction of those responsible. Officials urged the public to focus on traceable elements from the footage, particularly the distinctive backpack, clothing items, gait, and any retail purchase records. Sheriff Nanos requested residents within a two-mile radius to submit any home surveillance video from late January onward, citing potential overlaps with additional neighborhood footage under review.

Experts appearing on national outlets, including former FBI agents on networks like Fox News and CNN, described the recovered video as a “treasure trove” of identifiers. Points of analysis include the suspect’s height estimation, build, walk pattern, and the backpack—viewed as possibly part of a deliberate preparation. Some analysts suggested the individual may have conducted prior reconnaissance of the property, given apparent familiarity with camera locations.

Family dynamics have drawn scrutiny in media coverage, though authorities have stressed no one has been cleared or named as a suspect. Early rumors circulated about vehicles associated with relatives being examined as standard procedure, but officials downplayed speculation. Savannah Guthrie has remained largely out of the public eye regarding the case, with friends and colleagues describing the family as focused on hope and privacy amid the ongoing search.

The investigation has included extensive ground searches in surrounding desert terrain, aerial support, and collaboration with federal resources for digital forensics and cell phone data analysis. No ransom demands have been confirmed as legitimate; one reported imposter demand was quickly dismissed, leading to an unrelated arrest.

As the case enters its third week, public attention remains high due to the celebrity connection and the eerie nature of the doorbell footage. Community vigils continue in Tucson, with photos of Nancy Guthrie—often described as vibrant and family-oriented—circulating widely. Sheriff Nanos has expressed confidence in the joint effort, noting disappointment over the initial detention not yielding charges but reaffirming commitment to following all leads.

Questions persist: Who is the masked figure in the video? Does the backpack trace back to a local purchase? Could the DNA match one of the persons of interest? Authorities continue to appeal for public assistance, emphasizing that even small details could prove pivotal.

For now, the search for Nancy Guthrie combines cutting-edge digital recovery with traditional investigative work. With thousands of tips processed and new identifiers released, investigators hope the momentum from the FBI footage and subsequent developments will lead to resolution—whether a safe return or answers for her loved ones.