A nationally recognized forensic artist has shared her own interpretation of a masked suspect connected to the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of Today show host Savannah Guthrie.
Nancy Guthrie was reported missing on February 1 from her home in Tucson, Arizona.
Authorities with Arizona law enforcement and the Federal Bureau of Investigation believe she was taken from her residence and maintain that she is still alive.
The case has drawn national attention as investigators continue to pursue leads in what is being treated as a kidnapping.
Doorbell Camera Images Reveal Masked Individual
Earlier this week, the FBI released surveillance images captured by a doorbell camera showing a person wearing a ski mask who is believed to have been at Guthrie’s front door.
On Thursday, additional identifying details were made public, according to NBC News.
The individual is described as a male standing between 5’9” and 5’10” tall with an average build.
He was reportedly carrying a black, 24-liter Ozark Trail Hiker Pack backpack.
The released images depict “an armed individual appearing to have tampered with the camera at Nancy Guthrie’s front door the morning of her disappearance,” FBI Director Kash Patel said in an ABC News story.
Only limited facial features are visible in the footage — specifically the person’s eyes and what appears to be a mustache or goatee.
Lois Gibson Creates Independent Sketch
Lois Gibson is a famed Houston-based crime sketch artist who built a decades-long career helping law enforcement identify suspects, per the Houston Chronicle.
Although she is not connected to the Nancy Guthrie investigation, Gibson took it upon herself to study the surveillance images and produce a sketch of the masked individual.
Gibson retired from the Houston Police Department in 2021 and holds the Guinness World Record for 'Most Successful Forensic Artist,' having helped identify more than 750 criminals over the course of her career.
On Wednesday night, she posted her completed drawing to Facebook, explaining her thought process behind the rendering.
"I guessed at the parts of face covered with ski mask on this Nancy Guthrie kidnapping suspect," she wrote.
"I used the surveillance photos shown. I spent 43 years at job trying to help detectives with similar photos."
Because much of the suspect’s face was concealed, Gibson acknowledged the risks involved in interpreting limited visual clues.
"I'm brave enough to take the hit if I'm wrong," she said, emphasizing that she only had the person’s eyes, lips, and facial hair visible in the images.
She also described her immediate reaction upon seeing the surveillance footage.
"To see the surveillance photos my husband is going 'Oh my gosh can you do this deal?' and my brain is going I couldn't resist," she said.
"I lost control and I wanted to try by my hand. Why wouldn't I want to try?"
Meanwhile, authorities continue an expansive investigation.
According to the Associated Press, several hundred detectives and agents are actively working the case as a kidnapping. Search efforts are ongoing throughout the Tucson area and beyond.