In a dramatic escalation in the ongoing investigation into the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of NBC’s “Today” show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, authorities made a significant breakthrough on February 10, 2026. The FBI, in collaboration with the Pima County Sheriff’s Department, publicly released a trove of previously inaccessible surveillance material: 12 high-resolution images and 5 short video clips recovered from the backend systems of Nancy Guthrie’s Google Nest doorbell camera. These materials capture what investigators describe as an armed individual tampering with the security device on the morning of February 1, 2026—the day Nancy was reported missing after last being seen the evening of January 31.

The footage, described by law enforcement as the case’s “biggest break” to date, shows a masked figure—dressed in dark clothing, gloves, a ski mask or balaclava, and carrying a backpack—approaching the front porch of Nancy’s Tucson, Arizona home in the pre-dawn hours. One particularly disturbing clip, lasting just seconds but replayed endlessly across news outlets and social media, depicts the suspect pausing briefly on the porch. In a moment that has chilled viewers nationwide, the individual appears to perform a deliberate, almost ritualistic act: bending down to gather nearby vegetation or debris from the ground, using it to obscure the camera lens in an attempt to blind the device. Then, stepping directly toward the camera, the figure reaches out and tampers with—or destroys—the recording hardware, causing the feed to go dark.

FBI Director Kash Patel personally shared several of the images and videos on his X account (formerly Twitter), emphasizing that the material had been “previously inaccessible” due to tampering and technical factors, including the physical removal of the camera. “Law enforcement has uncovered these previously inaccessible new images showing an armed individual appearing to have tampered with the camera at Nancy Guthrie’s front door the morning of her disappearance,” Patel wrote, urging the public to come forward with any identification tips. The suspect is visibly armed, with what appears to be a handgun holstered at their side, adding a layer of danger to an already alarming case.

The release triggered an immediate surge in tips to the FBI hotline (1-800-CALL-FBI) and the Pima County Sheriff’s Department. Experts, including former FBI agents appearing on CNN and other networks, noted the footage’s value: while the suspect’s face is obscured, distinctive details—such as clothing patterns, a unique zipper on the jacket, backpack style, build, and left-handed tendencies (based on how the figure handles items)—could lead to a positive ID. The act of covering the lens with vegetation before destruction suggests premeditation, though analysts describe the execution as “poorly planned,” leaving clear evidence behind.

But the story took an even more horrifying turn in the hours following the footage’s public debut. Investigators, acting on leads from the video timeline and prior crime scene analysis, returned to the porch area for intensified forensic digging. At a shallow depth of just 15 cm (approximately 6 inches) beneath a disturbed patch of soil near the walkway—precisely where the suspect had paused and bent down in one of the clips—teams unearthed a small, blood-stained personal item belonging to Nancy Guthrie: her pacemaker monitoring device, which had been forcibly disconnected from her phone app at 2:28 a.m. on February 1. The device, confirmed via serial number and DNA traces, was partially buried alongside traces of additional blood matching Nancy’s profile (previously identified on the porch steps).

This discovery has intensified fears that the abduction involved significant violence. Forensic experts explain that the shallow burial suggests haste rather than an attempt at permanent concealment—possibly a panicked effort to discard evidence after the struggle. Blood on the porch had already been confirmed as Nancy’s through DNA testing earlier in the week, supporting the theory that she was taken against her will, likely injured in the process. Her limited mobility (she used a cane) and frail health make it improbable she could have left voluntarily.

Savannah Guthrie, who has been vocal throughout the ordeal, responded swiftly on social media. Sharing the released footage on her Instagram with a caption reading, “Someone out there recognizes this person. We believe she is still out there. Bring her home,” she appeared in a new family video pleading directly to the suspect: “If you’re watching this, please let her go. We will do whatever it takes—no questions asked.” Her tone has shifted from hopeful to desperate as the search enters its 11th day, with no proof of life received since the initial ransom note (sent to media outlets like TMZ, demanding an unspecified sum in cryptocurrency).

The investigation remains classified as a kidnapping, with no suspects or persons of interest publicly identified. Authorities stress the suspect is “armed and dangerous.” Search efforts have expanded to include neighborhoods around the home of Nancy’s daughter Annie Guthrie, involving SWAT teams, K9 units, and the FBI’s Hostage Rescue Team. Drone footage and door-to-door canvassing continue, while the ransom note’s authenticity is under scrutiny—experts note its delivery to media rather than family deviates from typical patterns.

This case has gripped the nation, blending celebrity involvement with the terror of an elderly woman’s abduction. Nancy Guthrie, a beloved grandmother known for her warmth in family appearances alongside Savannah, represents vulnerability in an era of home security tech that failed to protect her. The chilling porch video—now viral—serves as a stark reminder of how quickly safety can shatter.

As tips flood in and forensics analyze every frame, hope persists that these images and the unearthed evidence will lead to Nancy’s safe return. For now, the Guthrie family, law enforcement, and a concerned public wait anxiously, united in the plea: Bring her home.