The search for 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie has entered its eleventh day, and in just the past 24 hours, the investigation has taken a dramatic and deeply unsettling turn. Newly released surveillance footage, expert analysis, and confirmation that multiple persons of interest are being examined have brought fresh urgency to a case that has gripped the nation.

At the center of the latest developments is chilling video recovered from a Nest security camera outside Nancy Guthrie’s Tucson, Arizona home — footage that investigators say had to be reconstructed from residual backend data after the original camera system was physically removed.

The images offer the first clear glimpse of a masked individual approaching Nancy’s home on the night she disappeared. And according to a former FBI firearms expert, the suspect may have made one significant — and potentially revealing — mistake.

### The Footage That Changed Everything

The surveillance video, released by the FBI, shows a person dressed in light-colored clothing, wearing a mask, and carrying what appears to be a firearm. The individual approaches the home cautiously, moving within the camera’s view before interacting with the area near the front door.

For many viewers, the mere presence of an armed figure outside the home of an elderly woman was disturbing enough. But for former FBI agent Mark Harrigan, who previously led the bureau’s Firearms Training Program, one detail immediately stood out.

“That is a very non-conventional way to carry a firearm. Very non-conventional,” Harrigan told The New York Post after reviewing the footage.

In one frame, the weapon appears to be positioned toward the front of the suspect’s body in a way that, according to Harrigan, deviates from how experienced individuals typically carry concealed firearms.

“He has it in the open, which is unusual, because normally you would want it concealed when you’re going to do a crime, so you’re not calling attention to yourself with an exposed firearm,” Harrigan explained.

That observation has fueled speculation that the individual seen in the footage may not be a seasoned criminal.

### A “Rookie” Mistake?

Harrigan suggested that the way the firearm was carried could point to inexperience.

“That’s potentially somebody that’s not normally armed or carrying a firearm around in public. Normally, you’d have it on the hip,” he said.

He went on to note that positioning a firearm improperly can be uncomfortable and impractical, particularly for someone unfamiliar with handling weapons in high-stress situations.

“You don’t carry it on your hip bone because it’s uncomfortable. He may have had it concealed in his backpack and decided then to put it on his waist when he got close to the door,” Harrigan added.

Longtime private investigator Andy Kay echoed this assessment, reportedly labeling the suspect a “rookie” based on the awkward positioning of the weapon.

While such characterizations remain speculative, they add a layer of psychological analysis to an investigation that is otherwise tightly controlled by law enforcement.

### Attempt to Conceal the Camera

The suspect’s behavior near the camera has also drawn intense scrutiny.

In the footage, the masked individual appears to notice the doorbell camera and attempt to obscure it. Rather than arriving prepared with tools or materials to disable the device, the person seemingly grabs nearby vegetation in an effort to block the lens.

“He balls his fist up, and then you see him walk back out of the vestibule there. It appears he’s looking for something to conceal the camera,” Harrigan said. “He reaches down and picks up some vegetation in an attempt to cover the camera.”

For Harrigan, this moment reinforced his belief that the suspect may not have been highly experienced.

“A sophisticated person would have brought something from the very beginning — either a hammer to remove the camera, or spray paint,” he said.

Instead, the suspect’s apparent improvisation has been interpreted by some as another possible “rookie” misstep.

### The Delayed Release of Footage

One of the most striking elements of this case is the delay in releasing the surveillance video.

Nancy vanished on February 1, but the footage was not made public until ten days later. Authorities explained that the delay stemmed from technical complications. The physical security camera had been removed, and Nancy did not subscribe to Google Home’s paid cloud storage service, meaning the footage was not automatically preserved.

According to FBI Director Kash Patel, the video had to be reconstructed from “residual data located in backend systems.”

Former prosecutor and current defense attorney John W. Day said this revelation underscores the lengths investigators went to retrieve the footage.

“It gives us some insight to what Google is capable of,” Day told The New York Post.

The recovery process itself signals that authorities are leveraging advanced digital forensic tools in their search for answers.

### The $50,000 Reward

As the investigation intensifies, the FBI continues to offer a $50,000 reward for information leading to Nancy Guthrie or her alleged captor.

Director Patel emphasized that progress has been made in recent days, citing the FBI’s technical capabilities and inter-agency partnerships.

“Without polluting the investigation, I will say we have made substantial progress in these last 36–48 hours,” Patel said during an appearance on Fox News.

He confirmed that multiple persons of interest are currently being examined but cautioned that being labeled a person of interest does not imply guilt.

“With any investigation, you’re a person of interest until you’re either eliminated, or you’re actually found to be the culprit,” Patel said.

### One Man Detained and Released

Earlier this week, a man was detained in connection with the investigation but later released without charges.

The Pima County Sheriff’s Department confirmed that deputies stopped a vehicle south of Tucson and questioned the individual as part of the Guthrie case.

The man later identified himself as Carlos Palazuelos, a delivery driver who works in the Tucson area.

Palazuelos told Fox News that he was questioned about his recent whereabouts and said investigators had shown a masked photo to his in-law.

“They supposedly looked like my eyes,” he said.

He denied any involvement in Nancy’s disappearance and stated that he regularly makes deliveries throughout the Tucson area.

Authorities have not officially named any suspect.

### A Family’s Plea

Nancy’s daughter, Savannah Guthrie, has been vocal in urging the public to help identify the person in the footage.

After the images were released, the 54-year-old Today show co-host shared them on Instagram.

“Someone out there recognizes this person. We believe she is still out there. Bring her home,” Savannah wrote, adding, “We believe she is still alive.”

Her words reflect both desperation and hope — a belief that Nancy can still be found and safely returned.

### Public Reaction and Ongoing Questions

The newly released footage has sparked widespread public reaction. Online forums and social media platforms have filled with theories, frame-by-frame analyses, and speculation about the suspect’s identity.

Experts caution that while certain behaviors may appear amateurish, criminal investigations are rarely straightforward. What seems like a “rookie” mistake could also be a calculated decision, misinterpretation, or simply the result of stress.

Investigators continue to piece together timelines, digital data, and witness accounts.

Was the firearm real or a replica?
Did the suspect act alone?
Was the camera removal pre-planned?
What happened inside the home?

Those questions remain unanswered.

### A Race Against Time

With each passing day, concern grows for Nancy Guthrie’s safety.

At 84 years old, her age adds urgency to the search. Authorities have not publicly confirmed the exact circumstances of her disappearance, but the presence of ransom demands — reportedly requesting $6 million in bitcoin — has further complicated the case.

Two ransom deadlines have reportedly passed without resolution.

Law enforcement has not confirmed whether the ransom notes are authentic or directly connected to the masked figure seen in the footage.

### Where the Investigation Stands

As of now:

* The suspect in the surveillance footage remains unidentified.
* Multiple persons of interest are being examined.
* One man was detained and released without charge.
* The FBI is offering a $50,000 reward.
* Investigators are analyzing reconstructed digital evidence.
* Nancy Guthrie remains missing.

The alleged “rookie” mistake identified by experts may or may not prove significant in the long run. But it has provided investigators — and the public — with a closer look at the individual at the center of this mystery.

For Nancy’s family, especially Savannah Guthrie, the focus remains singular: bringing her home.

Until definitive answers emerge, the footage stands as both a breakthrough and a haunting reminder of how much remains unknown.

The hope now is that someone, somewhere, will recognize something — a posture, a detail, a movement — and provide the crucial tip that finally brings clarity to a case that has left a family waiting and a nation watching.