Guthrie case investigators question neighbors about any internet issues on the night she disappeared
Guthrie case investigators question neighbors about any internet issues on the night she disappeared
Authorities examining Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance have probed residents in her Tucson neighborhood for signs of internet disruptions during the time she vanished. On Thursday, agents from the Pima County Sheriff’s Department and the FBI conducted door-to-door inquiries in the Catalina Foothills, seeking details about connectivity problems that might have occurred on the night of her disappearance.
Several homeowners shared with NBC News that the investigators specifically asked if they experienced any internet glitches on the evening Guthrie went missing. According to these residents, the officers mentioned that multiple people in the area had reported issues with their connections during that timeframe. Two of them added that the agents also requested footage from Jan. 11, though officials have not yet confirmed whether the date is central to their investigation.
A couple living next to Guthrie’s home told NBC News on Friday they noticed a glitch in one of their Ring cameras during the incident. They described having four cameras on their property, with the one closest to Guthrie’s house displaying a “not available” error when accessed later that night. The other cameras, positioned farther away, functioned normally, the pair said. They emphasized that they had never encountered the “not available” warning before, calling the occurrence “uncanny.”
“That’s really weird, isn’t it?” the couple remarked.
The FBI and Pima County Sheriff’s Department have not yet clarified why they’re focusing on internet issues or whether the glitch is linked to the case. When asked earlier this week if he suspected the suspect might have used a Wi-Fi jammer, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos responded: “I’ve not looked at that closely, but yeah, my team has examined every angle with the FBI.”
Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of “TODAY” co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, was last seen around 9:45 p.m. on Jan. 31 after dining with her daughter Annie. She was reported missing on Feb. 1 after failing to appear at a friend’s house for a livestreamed church service, as she typically did on Sundays. Officials have indicated the case appears to involve a kidnapping, but details remain scarce.
Last month, the FBI released doorbell camera videos showing an armed and masked man wearing gloves near Guthrie’s home in the early hours of her disappearance. While the individual has been labeled a suspect, no identification has been made yet. The man is described as approximately 5 feet 9 inches to 5 feet 10 inches tall with an average build, and he was seen carrying a black, 25-liter Ozark Trail Hiker Pack backpack.
Savannah Guthrie, who has been on leave from her role at the “TODAY” show, visited the New York studio recently and stated her intention to return to her position. “While she plans to return to the show on air, she remains focused right now supporting her family and working to help bring Nancy home,” a spokesperson noted in a statement.
The Guthrie family announced on Feb. 24 that they are offering a $1 million reward for information leading to Nancy’s recovery. This follows similar offers from the FBI and Crime Stoppers. NBC News has contacted Ring for comment, but no response has been provided yet.
Liz Kreutz is an NBC News correspondent. Rebecca Cohen is a breaking news reporter for NBC News Digital.
