The FBI has released additional identifying information about the suspect wanted in the kidnapping of Today host Savannah Guthrie’s mother.
In a Thursday post on X, the Phoenix field office of the FBI shared new details about the suspect, including photos of a backpack that matches the one they were wearing on the night of the kidnapping. It also announced that the FBI would be increasing its reward for information to $100,000.
“New identifying details about the suspect in the kidnapping of Nancy Guthrie have been confirmed after a forensic analysis of the doorbell camera footage by the FBI’s Operational Technology Division,” the post reads.
“The suspect is described as a male, approximately 5’9” - 5’10” tall, with an average build. In the video, he is wearing a black, 25-liter ‘Ozark Trail Hiker Pack’ backpack.”
The only confirmed images of the suspect were taken from a security camera installed outside Nancy Guthrie’s home and released by the FBI on Tuesday.
They show a masked man holding what appears to be a gun and wearing a backpack, tampering with the camera just after 2 a.m. on Sunday Feb 1.
In addition to footage from the security camera at Guthrie’s home, authorities examined video recorded 5 miles away showing a man wearing clothing similar to that worn by the man seen at the crime scene.
The footage, obtained by TMZ, showed a man carrying and wearing backpacks, including one similar to the one seen in the Guthries’ security camera footage. On Thursday evening, authorities cleared the man of any involvement in Guthrie’s disappearance, according to two officials who spoke to NBC News.
TMZ was also the recipient of a ransom note on Wednesday that claimed to have more information about the abduction. The note requested payment of 1 bitcoin, equivalent to $67,000. “Time is more than relevant,” the note said.
An earlier ransom note sent to TMZ demanded millions for Guthrie’s safe return. Authorities have not confirmed whether the ransom notes were authentic.
Authorities have been searching for 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie since she was reported missing on Feb 1. The harrowing saga has seen Guthrie and her siblings publish multiple videos to social media, appealing to their mother’s abductor to return her.
“We received your message, and we understand,” Guthrie said in a video posted on Saturday. She was joined by her siblings Annie and Camron.
“We beg you now to return our mother to us so that we can celebrate with her. This is the only way we will have peace. This is very valuable to us, and we will pay.”
Authorities were conducting DNA testing Thursday on black gloves found a mile and a half from Guthrie’s home.
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos blocked FBI access to key pieces of evidence in the case and insisted on testing the glove and DNA found at Guthrie’s home using a private lab instead of using the FBI’s national crime laboratory in Quantico, Virginia, Reuters reported.
A man was brought in for questioning on Tuesday, and his residence was searched, but he was released hours later. The man, Carlos, told reporters he had no idea why he was brought in.
“I felt like I was being kidnapped. They didn’t tell me anything at the beginning,” Carlos said. “They held me against my will,” he added. “They didn’t even read me my rights until two hours later.” He was eventually released after eight hours.
