FBI Identifies Potential Suspects in Nancy Guthrie Kidnapping Investigation

Federal authorities appear to be making significant progress in the investigation into the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of NBC News personality and “Today” co-anchor Savannah Guthrie.

Late Wednesday, CBS News reported that the FBI “has photos and names of people they believe may be the suspect seen on the surveillance video outside Nancy Guthrie’s front door with what appears to be a gun in a holster,” CBS News reported.

While officials have not released the identities publicly, the report suggested that investigators generated the list by cross-referencing purchasers of a distinctive holster and a specific bag sold exclusively at Walmart locations. The FBI reportedly believes the suspect is a male between 5’9″ and 5’10” with an average build, according to the U.K. Daily Mail.

So far, no suspect photographs have been made public. Authorities have also not clarified whether the names compiled by federal agents are connected to unidentified DNA recovered inside Guthrie’s Arizona residence.

Guthrie was taken in the early morning hours of Feb. 1. After extensive review, the FBI recovered footage showing a man disabling the home’s doorbell camera — video that was initially believed to have been lost.

Despite several detentions of persons of interest in recent weeks, none have led investigators to a definitive breakthrough — until now.

On Wednesday afternoon, CBS affiliate KOLD-TV reported that federal agents are visiting Tucson-area businesses armed with a list of individuals believed to resemble the man captured in the surveillance footage.

Phillip Martin, co-owner of Armor Bearer Arms in Tucson, confirmed that agents asked him to review a packet containing between 18 and 24 names and photographs to determine whether any had purchased a firearm at his store.

Although he was not formally briefed on the details of the case, Martin suspected the inquiry was connected to the Guthrie kidnapping footage.

“Based on that video I saw of the kidnapper at the house who was caught on camera — the facial hair that I saw on the video reminds me a lot of these photographs,” he said.

Martin later told Fox News that while he initially questioned the legitimacy of the request, he ultimately chose to cooperate out of compassion for the family.

“I felt bad for the family. Anything that could help them find the person I was willing to help,” he said.

CBS News later confirmed the reporting Wednesday evening.

However, local law enforcement urged caution against premature conclusions. Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos emphasized that investigators have not yet zeroed in on a definitive suspect pool.

“We haven’t narrowed it down to anything other than we have pieces of evidence that we’re looking at to try to find this individual,” he said.

As federal and local authorities continue to pursue every credible lead, the case remains a stark reminder of the importance of coordinated law enforcement, community cooperation, and diligent investigative work in bringing justice to victims and their families.

The coming days may prove decisive as the FBI works to determine whether the individuals identified through purchasing data and visual comparisons are connected to the disturbing footage outside Guthrie’s home.