A person briefly detained in connection with the abduction of 84-year-aged Nancy Guthrie, the mother of NBC News journalist Savannah Guthrie, has been released, authorities confirmed Wednesday. The individual, who identified himself as Carlos, was questioned following a traffic stop but has since been cleared of involvement, according to multiple U.S. Media reports.
Nancy Guthrie was abducted from her home in Tucson, Arizona, between the night of January 31st and the morning of February 1st. The case has garnered significant media attention in the United States, with dozens of news crews converging on the quiet suburban neighborhood where she resides. The FBI is leading the investigation.
The detention and subsequent release occurred after the FBI released images of a masked and armed individual appearing to tamper with the security camera at Nancy Guthrie’s residence, as reported by Radio-Canada. Authorities had previously indicated the existence of a ransom demand, suggesting a financial motive for the abduction, according to TVA Nouvelles.
The sheriff’s office conducted a search of a property in Rio Rico, Arizona, approximately 95 kilometers south of Tucson, as part of the ongoing investigation. The search yielded no immediate results, and the FBI has not released further details regarding the property or its connection to the case.
Savannah Guthrie, a prominent anchor on NBC’s Today present, has remained publicly silent regarding the specifics of the investigation, but the case has dominated coverage on her network. The FBI continues to pursue leads, but as of Wednesday morning, the whereabouts of Nancy Guthrie remain unknown.
An ex-investigator consulted by TVA Nouvelles suggested the possibility that the abduction was perpetrated by someone known to the victim, potentially motivated by financial gain. However, authorities have not confirmed this theory.
