NEW: FBI Launches ‘Extensive Search’ After New Developments In Nancy Guthrie Case

The FBI announced Wednesday that agents would be conducting an “extensive search along multiple roadways in the Catalina Foothills area” of Tucson, Arizona, in relation to the Nancy Guthrie investigation. The latest update comes less than a day of heightened law enforcement activity, which culminated in a person being detained and ultimately released early Wednesday morning.

“We are asking the media and motorists to follow all traffic laws and to remain especially cautious when passing law enforcement personnel near the roadways,” the FBI’s Phoenix office announced.

“We appreciate the assistance and support we have received from the Tucson community. The FBI continues to offer a $50,000 reward for information leading to the recovery of Nancy Guthrie. You can help by submitting tips to the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI,” it added.

Wednesday’s ongoing searches mirror law enforcement activity observed in the area on Tuesday afternoon and early evening. Teams of investigators with both the FBI and the Pima County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) could be seen going door-to-door in the neighborhood for several hours.

Investigators stopped to talk with homeowners and asked to view any doorbell camera footage that might be available. Investigators were also seen combing areas around properties, placing a particular emphasis on brush areas, sheds and other outlying areas.

NOW: Federal agents are canvassing Annie Guthrie's neighborhood on foot. Doing what appears to be a systematic sweep, combing through desert brush and going door-to-door talking to neighbors. pic.twitter.com/2fXUEJjri9

— Matt Finn (@MattFinnFNC) February 11, 2026

Searches continue hours after investigators raided a home in Rio Rico, located about an hour south of Tucson, late Tuesday evening. A man was initially detained for questioning but was later released after investigators determined he had no involvement in the crime.

TMZ founder reported that law enforcement is operating under the theory that the suspected kidnapper, or group of kidnappers, lives in the Tucson area. “Law enforcement has told me they are operating under the theory that this person lives in the Tucson television area, and that’s why they’ve had so much contact with the local television stations there,” Levin Fox News in reference to the ransom notes that were sent to a number of Arizona-based outlets, as well as TMZ.

Levin also reported yesterday that “activity” was viewed in the cryptocurrency accounts tied to the ransom note for the first time. Local outlet KGUN later confirmed that less than $300 in cryptocurrency was transferred to the account.

Investigators have also released video and photo evidence of an individual approaching Guthrie’s front door, marking the first time a person of interest in the case has been publicly identified. The footage, which was obtained by a disabled doorbell camera through residual data, shows an individual dressed in a jacket, long pants, and a ski mask approaching the door.

The individual — who was also carrying a holstered handgun and a backpack that appeared to be full — then grabbed a clump of flowers and attempted to block the camera before disabling it.

Footage shows the suspected abductor in the Nancy Guthrie case

Former NYPD inspector Paul Mauro told Fox News that the masked man’s activities were highly questionable. “There’s something about this guy the way he moves, how casual he is. He’s entirely unconcerned,” Mauro said Wednesday. “Not only is he unconcerned in a situation where he should be highly pressured, but he does that thing with the plant, which makes zero sense.”

“You know, who picks up a plant to try to obfuscate the view of a camera? Even if he had taken a handful of dirt, which there’s no shortage of down here and smeared it on the lens, that makes more sense to me. But he takes a plant and he starts – I mean, how would you even affix a small plant to the exterior of a Ring camera, a Nest camera?” Mauro continued. “So that alone strikes me as very, very off. And of course somebody who would do this is off by definition.”

Investigators have yet to identify a suspect or person of interest as the search drags through day 11.

The Trending Politics News app is your home for breaking updates. Download it FREE today!