New Video Shows Man With Backpack Near Nancy Guthrie's Home

Police have new video footage of a man with a backpack that looks like the one used in the abduction of Nancy Guthrie. The man was seen trying to climb a wall near her home just before she disappeared. Investigators are looking closely at this new clue.
By Newsroom | Crime, Tucson |

New footage has emerged showing a man with a backpack similar to the one worn by the suspect in the abduction of Nancy Guthrie. The video, captured in Tucson, Arizona, places the individual attempting to scale a wall just hours before Ms. Guthrie was reported missing. This development adds another layer to the ongoing investigation into the disappearance of the 84-year-old, who was last seen on January 31st. Investigators are now examining this new evidence as they continue to search for Ms. Guthrie and identify the individual seen on surveillance footage at her home.

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Background of the Disappearance

Nancy Guthrie, the mother of Savannah Guthrie, was reported missing on February 1st. She was last seen at her home near Tucson on January 31st. Investigators have determined that she was taken against her will. Blood found on her porch tested positive as belonging to Ms. Guthrie, confirming a violent incident occurred at the residence. The FBI released images from a doorbell camera showing a masked man at Ms. Guthrie's home, described as approximately 5-foot-9 to 5-foot-10 inches tall with an average build, wearing a black "Ozark Trail Hiker Pack" backpack. The reward for information leading to her safe return has been increased to $100,000.

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Emerging Evidence and Investigative Focus

The investigation has centered on the man captured on surveillance footage at Ms. Guthrie's residence. New video evidence shows an unidentified bald man wearing a gray zip-down jacket and blue jeans attempting to scale a wall in Tucson. This individual was seen carrying a backpack that appears similar to the one the suspect was wearing at Ms. Guthrie's home. The timing and location of this new footage are significant, as it was recorded approximately five miles from Ms. Guthrie's residence, just before the estimated time of her disappearance.

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  • The man in the new footage was seen wearing a backpack similar to the one identified by the FBI.

  • He was also observed attempting to scale a wall, an action that may be of interest to investigators.

  • This sighting occurred in Tucson, in proximity to Ms. Guthrie's home.

Key Details from the Investigation

The FBI has released specific details about the suspect and the crime:

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  • Suspect Description: Male, 5'9" to 5'10", average build.

  • Backpack: A black "Ozark Trail Hiker Pack".

  • Last Seen: Ms. Guthrie was last seen on January 31st.

  • Reported Missing: February 1st.

  • Physical Evidence: A black glove was found near the home and submitted for analysis. DNA tests confirmed blood splatter on the porch belonged to Ms. Guthrie.

  • Witness Accounts: A man was questioned and later released by authorities in connection with the disappearance.

Suspect's Actions and Potential Sophistication

Surveillance footage from Ms. Guthrie's doorbell camera has provided key insights into the suspect's behavior. The individual appeared to be tampering with the camera and was seen with what looked like a flashlight in his mouth. A former FBI special agent suggested these actions might indicate the suspect is not a "trained assassin," possibly implying a less sophisticated operation.

"The suspect’s actions on camera also point to a possibly unsophisticated operation." - Former FBI Special Agent (as cited in Article 6)

This assessment invites further scrutiny into the individual's background and any potential connections to Ms. Guthrie or her property.

The family of Nancy Guthrie, including her daughter Savannah Guthrie, has made public appeals for her safe return. They have expressed their belief that she is still alive and have directly addressed the suspected kidnappers, pleading for her release. The community has been asked to provide any relevant video footage from within a two-mile radius of Ms. Guthrie's residence from the period surrounding her disappearance. The search efforts have been extensive, with authorities combing the desert and following up on numerous tips.

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Analysis of New Video Evidence

The newly released video footage presents a crucial piece of circumstantial evidence. The similarity in the backpack and the location of the sighting warrant further investigation.

  • Backpack Similarity: Does the backpack in the new footage match the description and visual of the "Ozark Trail Hiker Pack" identified by the FBI?

  • Activity: Is the act of scaling a wall a potential indicator of an attempt to gain access or evade detection?

  • Timing: The recording of this footage just prior to Ms. Guthrie's disappearance suggests a possible link to the abduction.

Conclusion and Next Steps

The emergence of new video footage depicting a man with a similar backpack to the suspect in the Nancy Guthrie abduction is a significant development. This evidence, combined with existing surveillance footage and physical clues, provides law enforcement with new avenues to explore. The focus remains on identifying the man in the videos and determining his role in Ms. Guthrie's disappearance. Authorities are likely to:

  • Attempt to identify the man in the new footage.

  • Compare the backpack in the new footage with the "Ozark Trail Hiker Pack" in greater detail.

  • Analyze the timing and location of the new video in relation to Ms. Guthrie's home and her abduction.

  • Continue to solicit tips from the public based on the provided suspect descriptions and new evidence.

  • The investigation is ongoing, with authorities working to piece together the events leading to Ms. Guthrie's abduction.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the new video showing?
The video shows a man with a backpack that looks like the one the suspect in Nancy Guthrie's abduction was wearing. He was seen trying to climb a wall.
Q: Where and when was the video taken?
The video was taken in Tucson, Arizona, about five miles from Ms. Guthrie's home, just before she was reported missing.
Q: Is this man the suspect?
Police are investigating if the man in the video is connected to the abduction. They are comparing his backpack to the one seen at Ms. Guthrie's house.
Q: What else do we know about the suspect?
The suspect is described as a man about 5-foot-9 to 5-foot-10 inches tall. He wore a black backpack and was seen on Ms. Guthrie's doorbell camera.
Q: What is being done to find Nancy Guthrie?
Police are searching the area, asking for public help with video footage, and looking into all new evidence, including this video. A reward of $100,000 is offered for information.