Unofficial Sketch Sparks Backlash In Guthrie Kidnapping Probe

An unofficial suspect sketch circulating online is stirring controversy as authorities intensify their search for Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old Tucson woman who vanished Jan. 31 under troubling circumstances.

Guthrie, who wears a pacemaker and depends on medication, was last seen after having dinner at the home of her daughter, Annie Guthrie. She returned safely to her residence later that evening but failed to meet a friend the following day. When she did not show up, a wellness check was conducted, and investigators soon launched a kidnapping probe. Since then, speculation has mounted — including online debate over ransom notes that have been publicly shared and whether they are authentic.

After the FBI released surveillance images showing a person in a ski mask on Nancy Guthrie’s property, veteran forensic artist Lois Gibson published an unofficial pencil sketch attempting to imagine the obscured facial features.

“I GUESSED at the parts of face covered with ski mask on this Nancy Guthrie kidnapping suspect,” Gibson wrote on Facebook.

“I used the surveillance photos shown.”

Gibson, who has worked in forensic art for more than four decades, acknowledged the limits of her rendering.

“Only thing somewhat sure are eyes and part of lips, mustache. I’ll take the hit if I’m drastically wrong,” she wrote.

The sketch quickly divided opinion online. Some critics argued that speculative artwork could complicate an already sensitive investigation.

“I will NOT be sharing this, as this just confuses everyone, and will divert LE into different directions, based on a sketch that the author herself says she GUESSED at!” one user wrote on X.

Others defended Gibson’s effort, pointing to her long track record in criminal investigations.

“Lois is a genius. And a spot on sketch artist. Her work speaks for itself,” one user wrote.

“Thank you, Ms. Gibson, for sharing your expertise and putting in so much effort on this difficult case. Your decades of experience give hope that law enforcement and the public can get closer to finding Nancy Guthrie,” another added.

Questions have also surfaced regarding the suspect’s gender. While the FBI has indicated the individual in the surveillance footage appears to be a man, some social media users remain unconvinced.

“Call me crazy but I feel like it’s possibly a woman,” one user wrote.

“No, I’ve been saying the same thing since it came out. I said they could’ve worn bulky clothes to throw off the gender. Regardless of what gender they end up being, they have the most feminine eyes and eyebrows ever,” another wrote.

Meanwhile, law enforcement sources cited in multiple local reports suggest investigators are exploring whether Guthrie’s disappearance may have stemmed from a burglary that spiraled out of control rather than a premeditated kidnapping.

CBS 5 true crime correspondent Briana Whitney echoed that assessment in a weekend report, stating that investigators believe Guthrie “could be alive” more than two weeks after she went missing from her Tucson, Arizona home. Whitney described that view as the “widespread belief” among investigators, citing an “inside source.”

“We can now report investigators now believe this was a burglary gone wrong,” Whitney said in a video posted on X. “We’ve interviewed multiple experts since this began who also said based on the evidence, the surveillance video, and other aspects of this case, that they also believed this was not an intended kidnapping.”

Whitney further reported that DNA evidence collected from a Range Rover discovered roughly two miles from Guthrie’s home is undergoing forensic testing.

“And last but probably most important, the widespread belief by investigators tonight is that Nancy Guthrie could be alive,” Whitney added.

As the investigation continues, public attention remains intense — fueled by social media speculation, unofficial sketches, and unanswered questions. For now, authorities say the focus remains on gathering evidence and following every viable lead in hopes of bringing Guthrie home safely.