Suspicious Man Noticed Before Nancy Guthrie’s Kidnapping
TUCSON, Ariz. — A neighbor of Nancy Guthrie recalled seeing a suspicious young man in her neighborhood about two weeks prior to the alleged kidnapping of Savannah Guthrie’s mother, who is 84 years old.
Aldin Meister, a long-time resident in the Catalina foothills, noted that the individual wasn’t dressed typically for a walk and had his hat pulled down low over his eyes. “He seemed a bit young and didn’t really look like he was out for exercise,” she mentioned.
This area is generally quiet, known for its affluence and minimal crime. Meister observed the man near an intersection that led towards Guthrie’s home.
Although she shared this observation with her husband, she didn’t feel the need to report it immediately. It was only after the kidnapping that she reached out to authorities with this information, stating, “He just didn’t fit in.” However, she did not have any video evidence to provide.
According to the Pima County Sheriff’s Office, the alleged kidnapping took place around 2:30 a.m. on February 1. While her Nest doorbell camera was missing, the FBI and Google collaborated to retrieve the footage.
FBI Director Kash Patel shared still images and video of a masked intruder wandering around Guthrie’s front door, although it’s unclear if this individual is the same one seen by neighbors.
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos mentioned that the timeline surrounding the images remains speculative. Neighbors have been advised to search their own security camera footage from January 1 to February 2, especially on January 11, a date of heightened interest.
Michelle Young, another resident in the area, mentioned that investigators had visited her home multiple times during the inquiry. After discussions with law enforcement, she noted that the sheriff’s office mentioned reviewing footage from the 11th, although they were also looking at a broader timeframe for any incriminating video.
Residents expressed growing anxiety as they seek answers regarding the incident. Young said, “I think everyone is anxious. We all look out for each other here, so I feel like we’ll be okay.”
The focus on January 11 arose frequently during the investigation, with a request posted on the Ring Neighbors app asking residents for video submissions from that night.
While the sheriff’s office played down the importance of that date, suggesting they were reviewing numerous videos from the entire month, the concern in the community continues to grow.
Meister recounted that investigators queried her about the day she saw the suspicious man, though she hesitated to confirm whether it was, in fact, the 11th. “It might have been. I think it was after January 8,” she said, recalling that the encounter happened at least two weeks before the kidnapping.
In the wake of this incident, Meister plans to enhance her home security, given that her existing system didn’t capture the relevant footage. She intends to install additional surveillance cameras around her property.
Guthrie’s family is offering a $1 million reward for information that could lead to her safe return. At least two men have been detained for questioning but released without charges while the investigation continues. Authorities are urging anyone with information to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI.
