The FBI has released the first images of a man they wish to identify in relation to the suspected abduction of the mother of US TV host Savannah Guthrie.
FBI director Kash Patel posted four images on X he said were of a man who appeared to have tampered with Nancy Guthrie's home camera in the early hours of February 1, the morning of her disappearance.
The images show the man wearing a ski mask, gloves, a backpack and what appears to be a gun in a holster, approaching the front door of the 84-year-old's home.
At one point in the video, the person appears to try to block the camera with foliage gathered nearby, then appears to damage it.
The individual's head is down as he approaches the door, suggesting an awareness of the camera's location, a law enforcement official said.
Mr Patel said authorities had been working to recover images or video that "may have been lost, corrupted, or inaccessible due to a variety of factors — including the removal of recording devices."
"The video was recovered from residual data located in back-end systems," Mr Patel said on X.
[TWEET]Investigators had been hopeful that cameras at the home would turn up some evidence about how she went missing, but the doorbell camera was disconnected early on Sunday in Arizona.
While software data recorded movement at the home minutes later, Nancy Guthrie did not have an active subscription, so none of the footage could be recovered, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos had said.
This is the first major break in an investigation that has raised more questions than answers, including whether the grandmother is still alive, and comes as law enforcement and her family intensify calls for assistance from the public.
Authorities believe Nancy Guthrie was taken against her will from her house just outside Tucson.
She was last seen there on January 31 and reported missing the next day after not attending church.
DNA tests showed blood on Nancy Guthrie's front porch was a match to her, and a doorbell camera was disconnected in the early hours of Sunday morning, the sheriff had said.
Ms Guthrie's pacemaker disconnected from her phone about half an hour later, he said.
Authorities say Nancy Guthrie needs daily medication because she is said to have high blood pressure and heart issues.
Until now, authorities have released few details, leaving it unclear if ransom notes demanding money with deadlines already passed were authentic and whether the Guthrie family has had any contact with the abductors.
Savannah Guthrie posted several of the surveillance images with the caption: "We believe she is still alive. Bring her home," and phone numbers for the FBI and county sheriff. Within minutes, the post had thousands of comments.
Guthrie family's message to kidnappers
Ms Guthrie's family released a statement earlier this week appealing for more information, saying that they were confident she was still alive.
Her daughter had also previously indicated she would pay a ransom in return for their mother.
The family's first three videos addressed the kidnappers directly.
But just ahead of the Monday deadline spelled out in one purported ransom note, Savannah Guthrie urged people nationwide to be on the lookout "no matter where you are, even if you're far from Tucson, if you see anything, if you hear anything".
The mysterious disappearance and search has riveted the US, from President Donald Trump — who spoke with the presenter last week — to online sleuths who have flooded social media with theories.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt began her press briefing on Tuesday, local time, by saying she and Mr Trump had just reviewed the newly released images in the case.
"The president encourages any American across the country with any knowledge of the suspect to please call the FBI, who continue to assist state and local authorities who are leading this investigation on the ground," Ms Leavitt said.
Multiple press outlets have received alleged ransom letters during the past week.
At least one letter made monetary demands and set deadlines for payment.
The first deadline passed last Thursday, but a second one was set for Monday, local time.
Law enforcement officials declined to confirm the credibility of the letters but said all tips were being taken seriously.
ABC/Wires
