The FBI has released new details about the suspect in the abduction of Nancy Guthrie and increased the reward for information in the case to $100,000.
The agency said Tuesday its Operational Technology Division conducted a forensic review of doorbell camera footage, confirming a male suspect, approximately 5-foot-9 to 5-foot-10, with an average build.
He was seen wearing a black, 25-liter Ozark Trail Hiker Pack backpack. It comes after an ex-FBI agent revealed the hidden codeword that Savannah used in her message to the kidnappers.
Guthrie, 84, was last seen on January 31 after having dinner with her daughter at her home in Tucson.
Since her disappearance on February 1, the FBI has received more than 13,000 tips. “We hope this updated description will help concentrate the public tips we are receiving,” the FBI Phoenix Field Office said in a statement.
“Today, the FBI is increasing its reward up to $100,000 for information leading to the location of Nancy Guthrie and/or the arrest and conviction of anyone involved in her disappearance. 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 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 stament read.
“Every tip is reviewed for credibility, relevance, and information that can be acted upon by law enforcement. Threat Intake Examiners at the National Threat Operations Center (NTOC) and FBI personnel are supporting a 24-hour command post in which dozens of agents and investigators are assigned leads and tips to action each shift,” it continued.
“Media outlets should direct tips they receive to the FBI. Additionally, we do not comment on tips and information we receive regarding ongoing investigations,” the statement concluded.
The video released February 10 shows what FBI Director Kash Patel described as “an armed individual appearing to have tampered with the camera” the day Guthrie was reported missing.
The person seen in the footage wore a mask and gloves, and may have been armed, according to the FBI.
Investigators said the recording device had been disconnected from Guthrie’s home network at 1:47 a.m.
In a post shared on X Patel credited “ongoing work with private sector partners” for the successful recovery of the footage.
“The video was recovered from residual data located in backend systems,” Patel said.
He added that the footage had likely been “Lost, corrupted, or inaccessible due to a variety of factors, including the removal of recording devices.”
On Wednesday, Savannah Guthrie’s husband, Michael Feldman, broke his silence on the investigation in an Instagram post.
“Someone out there may recognize this person. Please help us. Bring her home,” Feldman wrote on Instagram.
Police detained and later released a then-suspect Tuesday evening in connection with the case. Carlos Palazeulos said he was pulled over by authorities and booked and then released earlier this week.
“They held me against my will. They didn’t even read me my rights,” Palazeulos told reporters. “I didn’t do anything, to be honest. I’m innocent.”
According to Nancy’s family, she needs medication every 24 hours.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.the-express.com ’
