A man has spoken out after being detained in connection with the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, while the FBI releases images of a masked individual involved in the case.
Nancy, 84, was last seen at her daughter's home on the evening of January 31, before she was driven back to her own house by her son-in-law, Tommaso Cioni.
The following morning, she was reported missing after failing to show up for a scheduled church service, prompting an urgent and widespread search, as well as growing concerns for her safety.
The distraught family later confirmed that ransom notes demanding a bitcoin payment for her safe return had been sent to major media outlets, despite the kidnappers missing two payment deadlines.
Man Detained and Released
On Tuesday (February 10), police took a man into custody during a traffic stop south of Tucson in relation to the case.
Officials had been tracking the vehicle before detaining the individual, and later searched a property in Rio Rico connected to him.
The man, whose identity has not been disclosed, was questioned by the Pima County Sheriff’s Department. However, CNN reported that he was released after the cops completed their search.
In an interview with CNN affiliate KNXV, the man denied any involvement in Nancy’s disappearance.
"They told me I was being detained for kidnapping. I asked them, ‘kidnapping of who?’" the man, who authorities have not identified, said.
"I told them… I might have delivered a package to their house, but I never kidnapped anybody," he added.
He also mentioned that his wife was driving the car when they were pulled over by law enforcement.
Disturbing Pictures Raise New Questions
While the investigation continues, the authorities have not confirmed whether the man detained is connected to the troubling video released earlier this week.
The black-and-white footage shows a masked individual, who appears to be wearing gloves and a backpack, tampering with Nancy's door camera shortly before her disappearance.
Per The Guardian, FBI Director Kash Patel said the images, initially unavailable to authorities, were recovered from "residual data" in the camera's back-end system.
Urgent Plea for Information Amid Fears for Nancy’s Health
The search for Nancy has grown increasingly urgent as her health deteriorates. She is dependent on daily medication, which she has been without since her abduction.
"She is 84 years old. Her health, her heart is fragile. She lives in constant pain," said Nancy’s daughter Savannah. "She needs her medicine to survive. She needs it not to suffer."
Despite an intensive investigation by both local authorities and the FBI, which has dispatched agents from multiple field offices, there have been no significant leads, and the identity of the kidnappers remains unknown.
Authorities have pleaded for the public’s help in locating the 84-year-old and have urged anyone with information to call the FBI or Pima County Sheriff’s Office.
"We are at an hour of desperation," Savannah said in a public plea earlier this week. "We need your help."