As the search for Nancy Guthrie stretches into its 13th day, investigators and online sleuths are examining every possible lead.
The 84-year-old mother of Savannah Guthrie vanished from her Tucson residence after being dropped off the evening of January 31, following time spent with family.
She was reported missing around noon on February 1 when she failed to log in to watch a virtual church service with a friend.
Now, a mix of official updates and online analysis is fueling intense public interest in the case.
YouTuber Claims AI ‘Unmasked’ Suspect in Doorbell Footage
Amid the ongoing investigation, YouTuber Professor Nez has used artificial intelligence — releasing what he describes as a digitally generated image of the masked individual captured on doorbell footage outside Guthrie’s home.
In a recent YouTube video, he explained how he used Grok AI to simulate what the suspect might look like without a face covering.
He said: "Okay, this is where AI has come in, right. What you see on the screen right here is AI putting a mask on Dominic Aaron Lee Evans.
Dominic Aaron Lee Evans is a longtime friend and former bandmate of Tomasso Cioni, Annie Guthrie's husband, Nancy Guthrie's son-in-law."
Nez then compared the AI-produced face to previously released footage of the masked person seen outside the home.
"That is very eerily similar because if you look at the facial hair on the chin there, you look at the eyes and the eyebrows, that is eerie," he said.
"Extremely eerie because, you know, if you see this image right here of the suspect in the video that was released and this Evans character, you start to notice some very eerie similarities.
"Also, this photo that I put on the thumbnail."
According to Nez, the AI model was prompted to remove the mask digitally.
"So we asked Grok AI to take the mask off and that is what AI come up with and it is really really accurate as far as what the individual may look like.
"Again, technology is so advanced now. It's absolutely out of this world."
He continued: "It's doing all sorts of things in many many different fields and many many different industries.
"I have an AI assistant that helps me with my work and research.
"I mean, this is a really powerful side by side."
Despite the online buzz, law enforcement has not confirmed the AI rendering, nor have authorities publicly identified any suspect in connection with Guthrie’s disappearance.
FBI Releases New Identifying Details About Suspect
While online speculation circulates, federal investigators are providing concrete details drawn from surveillance evidence.
The FBI said authorities are searching for a male who stands between 5’9” and 5’10” tall with an average build. Based on video footage, the suspect was wearing a black, 25-liter Ozark Trail Hiker Pack backpack.
Security images previously released show a potential subject wearing gloves, a mask, and the aforementioned backpack while appearing to tamper with the camera at Guthrie’s front door during the early morning hours she disappeared.
The Pima County, Arizona, Sheriff's Department said it has received thousands of calls since those photos and videos were made public.
Earlier this week, a man was detained for questioning but later released without charges after speaking with investigators.
New Surveillance Video Shows Bald Man Five Miles Away
In addition to the porch footage, investigators are examining another video obtained by TMZ that was recorded roughly five miles from Guthrie’s Tucson home.
The surveillance clip shows a bald man wearing a gray jacket and jeans at approximately 1:53 a.m. on February 1 — the same time window during which Guthrie is believed to have vanished.
In the footage, the man appears to attempt climbing a wall before giving up and walking away.
Notably, he is seen carrying a backpack that closely resembles the one worn by the masked and armed individual captured earlier outside Guthrie’s residence.
However, authorities have not confirmed that the man in the new video is the same person shown in the doorbell footage.
No official connection between the two has been announced.
Blood Evidence, Black Glove, and White Tent Add to Mystery
Physical evidence recovered at the scene has only deepened concern.
Blood was discovered outside Guthrie’s home, and investigators later located a single black glove. On February 12, officials erected a large white tent outside the property.
Authorities have not publicly explained the reason for the tent’s installation, though such structures are commonly used during forensic examinations.
Earlier police-released footage showed a masked and armed individual appearing to interfere with Guthrie’s video doorbell system the night she vanished.
Several ransom notes have also surfaced, including two from someone claiming to know the identities of the kidnappers.
Even so, authorities have not disclosed any confirmed leads regarding Guthrie’s whereabouts.