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The FBI’s Phoenix office recently released an updated description of a person seen in doorbell camera footage related to the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, and officials announced that the reward for information leading to her recovery has been increased to $100,000. The individual is described as a man approximately 5 feet 9 inches to 5 feet 10 inches tall, with an average build, carrying a black 25-liter Ozark Trail Hiker Pack, according to CNN. Authorities emphasized that this updated description is intended to focus public tips and reduce the large volume of unverified information investigators have received. Since the beginning of February, the FBI reported more than 13,000 tips, while the Pima County Sheriff’s Department said it had received nearly 18,000 calls related to the case. The doubling of the reward, from $50,000 to $100,000, underscores the urgency of the investigation and the FBI’s commitment to finding Guthrie and holding anyone responsible accountable.
The case has drawn significant public interest, both locally and nationally, generating an influx of tips that range from potentially useful leads to unrelated or speculative claims. A source familiar with the investigation explained that additional details about the individual captured on video were released in part to reduce misleading tips from outside the area. Authorities said they have received outreach from psychics, mystics, and clairvoyants offering assistance, which, while well-intentioned, has complicated efforts to focus on actionable information. Nearly two weeks have passed since Nancy Guthrie, 84, was reported missing on Feb. 1, and law enforcement officials are determined to sift through the high volume of information carefully. The FBI hopes that providing more precise identifying details about the man in the video will help residents distinguish potentially relevant sightings from unrelated activity, increasing the chances of obtaining credible leads.
Investigators have called on neighbors within a two-mile radius of Guthrie’s home to submit any doorbell or surveillance footage capturing vehicles or individuals from approximately four weeks prior to her disappearance. In particular, officials are seeking footage from January 11 between 9 p.m. and midnight, and from January 31 between 9:30 p.m. and 11 p.m. Authorities have also asked residents to report any suspicious vehicles seen around 10 a.m., suggesting that specific times are of interest to the investigation. Law enforcement officials told CNN that at least one unconfirmed tip involves a white van, although no details have been confirmed publicly. The focus on local surveillance footage reflects the investigative strategy of narrowing down potential suspects or witnesses while maintaining public engagement in a highly coordinated search effort.
In addition to collecting visual evidence, investigators have recovered multiple items that may provide forensic leads. Among these is a glove reportedly found approximately a mile and a half from Guthrie’s home. CNN Chief Law Enforcement and Intelligence Analyst John Miller described the extensive forensic procedures that could be employed to examine the glove, including scanning for latent fingerprints, testing for DNA traces on both the inside and outside surfaces, and checking for hair or fiber transfers. If DNA is found, investigators could potentially identify an individual with a criminal record in the system. Miller noted, however, that there is always a possibility that the glove is unrelated, but the similarities to what was seen in the video make it a promising avenue for investigators to pursue. The combination of digital surveillance, physical evidence, and forensic analysis represents a comprehensive approach to solving high-profile missing person cases.
