Investigators have not ruled out the possibility that an accomplice may have assisted the suspected kidnapper captured on doorbell camera footage outside the Tucson, Arizona, home of 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie on the night she vanished. Chris Nanos, the sheriff of Pima County, said authorities are carefully examining whether the individual seen in the video acted alone or had help. Guthrie was reported missing on February 1, and law enforcement officials believe she was forcibly taken from her residence in the middle of the night. The case has gripped the local community and drawn national attention, particularly because of the disturbing nature of the available footage and the lack of clear answers weeks into the investigation. While authorities have not publicly identified a suspect or person of interest, they have made clear that the possibility of a broader conspiracy remains under active review. The sheriff emphasized that detectives are pursuing every viable lead, underscoring that the complexity of the crime scene and surrounding evidence leaves open the question of whether more than one person was involved in what appears to have been a targeted abduction.
The only confirmed video evidence recovered so far comes from Guthrie’s Google Nest doorbell camera, footage that was later shared publicly by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. According to the sheriff’s department, that clip is the sole recording Google has successfully retrieved from the property’s camera system. Engineers and digital forensic specialists continue working to recover additional material from other security cameras installed at the home, though technical challenges have slowed that process. Investigators remain hopeful that further usable footage may yet be extracted, potentially offering new angles or clearer imagery of the individual seen outside the house. In the released video, the FBI described the man as standing between 5 feet 9 inches and 5 feet 10 inches tall with an average build. Authorities have not disclosed whether the person’s face is clearly visible or if identifying features have been enhanced through technology. Meanwhile, law enforcement sources confirmed that officers have utilized a signal-detection device to search for activity from Guthrie’s heart pacemaker, which reportedly disconnected from her phone during the early morning hours she disappeared. That unexplained disruption has become another key data point in reconstructing the timeline of events.
As the investigation expands, officials are also examining physical evidence discovered away from the home. A pair of gloves found roughly two miles from Guthrie’s residence contained DNA that did not match any profiles in a national FBI database. The lack of a database match has prompted authorities to explore advanced forensic methods, including genetic genealogy, in hopes of identifying the unknown contributor. Notably, the DNA recovered from the gloves also did not match other biological evidence collected inside the house, raising additional questions about whether multiple individuals may have been present. The sheriff’s office confirmed that other biological samples from the home remain under laboratory analysis. Each result could potentially reshape the investigative focus. The possibility of an accomplice has gained traction partly because of the logistical challenges inherent in holding an elderly victim captive. If Guthrie was indeed injured during the abduction, as authorities have suggested, maintaining control over her while tending to medical needs would require sustained effort and resources. Investigators are therefore scrutinizing whether the suspected kidnapper could realistically have acted alone without assistance.
The case has also seen a dramatic increase in reward money aimed at encouraging tips from the public. The local 88-CRIME tipline organization announced that its reward had grown to $102,500 after an anonymous donor contributed $100,000. That amount comes in addition to a separate $100,000 reward offered by the FBI, bringing the total potential payout to more than $200,000 for information leading to a breakthrough. Law enforcement officials say they continue to receive tips, though none have yet led to an arrest. Authorities have also examined gun purchase records in the Tucson area. A local gun store owner reported that an FBI agent visited his shop, presenting several images and names while asking about firearm transactions made within the past year. While officials have not publicly confirmed whether a gun was used during the abduction, this line of inquiry reflects the breadth of investigative strategies underway. Each piece of data—whether digital, forensic, or transactional—forms part of a larger puzzle detectives are working to assemble.
Public attention intensified further when the sheriff’s department addressed speculation regarding Guthrie’s family, including “Today” show co-host Savannah Guthrie. Authorities confirmed that Savannah Guthrie, her siblings, and their spouses were thoroughly investigated and cleared as suspects. Sheriff Nanos stated that the family cooperated fully, voluntarily providing access to their vehicles, homes, and electronic devices. “We really put them through the wringer,” he said, emphasizing that their cooperation was complete and that they are considered victims, not suspects. By publicly clarifying the family’s status, investigators sought to quell rumors and refocus attention on evidence-based leads. At the same time, officials acknowledged that the case’s high profile brings both advantages and challenges: increased visibility can generate valuable tips, but it can also fuel speculation that diverts resources. Detectives continue urging anyone with credible information to come forward, stressing that even small details could prove critical.
Security experts suggest that if an accomplice is involved, it could significantly alter the dynamics of the case. Former FBI hostage negotiator Chip Massey noted that controlling and caring for a captive—particularly one who may require medical attention—poses substantial logistical demands. An accomplice could help manage those demands, but it would also introduce new vulnerabilities. “You don’t just have one person keeping a secret,” Massey observed. “You have two people under pressure.” The strain of maintaining secrecy, he argued, often leads to mistakes, disagreements, or emotional breakdowns that can generate investigative leads. Law enforcement officials appear to share this assessment, viewing the potential involvement of multiple individuals as both a complication and an opportunity. Expanding the pool of possible participants increases the number of relationships, communications, and behaviors investigators can examine. As DNA testing broadens and digital forensics efforts continue, authorities remain cautiously optimistic that mounting pressure—combined with advancing technology—could bring clarity. For now, Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance remains an active and deeply troubling case, one defined by uncertainty but driven by an unwavering determination to uncover the truth.