Nancy Guthrie suspect made one rookie mistake on night of kidnapping, expert says!

Significant new details have surfaced in the disappearance of 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie as investigators continue their urgent search and work to identify the masked individual captured in newly released surveillance footage.

Nancy, the mother of NBC’s Today co-host Savannah Guthrie, has now been missing for more than ten days. The FBI recently made public a series of still images and video clips recovered from a Nest security camera positioned outside her Tucson, Arizona home. The footage marks the first clear glimpse of a person authorities believe may be connected to her disappearance.

The video shows a figure dressed in light-colored clothing approaching the residence at night. The individual’s face is concealed, and in one frame, the person appears to be carrying a firearm in a manner that has drawn scrutiny from former law enforcement officials.

Mark Harrigan, a former FBI agent who once led the bureau’s Firearms Training Program, told the New York Post that the way the weapon was carried stood out immediately.

“That is a very non-conventional way to carry a firearm. Very non-conventional,” Harrigan said, noting that the weapon appeared exposed at the front of the individual’s body rather than concealed.

According to Harrigan, individuals experienced in handling firearms—particularly during the commission of a crime—tend to keep them hidden to avoid drawing attention. “He has it in the open, which is unusual, because normally you would want it concealed when you’re going to do a crime,” he explained.

Harrigan suggested that this detail could point to inexperience. “That’s potentially somebody that’s not normally armed or carrying a firearm around in public,” he added. “Normally, you’d have it on the hip.”

Private investigator Andy Kay reportedly reached a similar conclusion, describing the positioning of the weapon as awkward and indicative of a possible “rookie” mistake. While such assessments remain speculative, they have fueled public discussion about whether the suspect may have lacked professional or criminal experience.

Beyond the firearm itself, experts have also focused on the suspect’s interaction with the home’s security system. In the footage, the masked individual appears to reach for nearby vegetation and attempt to obscure the camera’s view.

“He balls his fist up, and then you see him walk back out of the vestibule,” Harrigan said. “It appears he’s looking for something to conceal the camera.”

Harrigan noted that a more experienced individual might have come prepared with tools, such as spray paint to block the lens or equipment to remove the camera entirely. Instead, the attempt to use surrounding foliage has been interpreted by some as another possible sign of inexperience.

The release of the footage came roughly ten days after Nancy was reported missing. Authorities explained that part of the delay was due to technical complications. Investigators determined that her physical security camera had been removed from the property. Additionally, Nancy did not subscribe to Google Home’s paid cloud storage service, meaning video was not automatically backed up.

FBI Director Kash Patel stated that the footage was ultimately “recovered from residual data located in backend systems,” suggesting that investigators were able to reconstruct video from damaged or partially deleted files. The recovery underscores the increasingly sophisticated digital forensic capabilities available to law enforcement.

Former prosecutor and defense attorney John W. Day commented publicly that the case highlights how authorities can collaborate with private-sector technology companies to retrieve critical data, even when devices have been tampered with or disabled.

Meanwhile, the FBI has announced a $50,000 reward for information leading to Nancy Guthrie’s safe recovery or the identification of her alleged captor. Savannah Guthrie shared the surveillance images across social media platforms, urging the public to assist.

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

Investigators have confirmed they are examining multiple persons of interest. In an interview on Fox News, Director Patel said that substantial progress has been made but emphasized that no one is formally considered a suspect unless evidence supports such a designation.

Earlier this week, one man was detained and questioned as part of the investigation. The Pima County Sheriff’s Department confirmed that deputies conducted a traffic stop south of Tucson and interviewed the individual in connection with the case. He was later released without charges.

Carlos Palazuelos subsequently identified himself publicly and spoke to Fox News. He said investigators questioned him after believing that the eyes of the individual seen in the footage resembled his. Palazuelos denied any involvement, explaining that he works as a delivery driver in the Tucson area and may have delivered packages near Nancy’s home in the past.

Authorities have stressed that Palazuelos is not currently considered a suspect and that he was released after questioning. No official suspect has been named, and the investigation remains active.

While commentary from former agents and private investigators has sparked debate about potential mistakes in the suspect’s actions, law enforcement officials continue to caution against drawing conclusions based solely on expert opinion or online speculation. They have reiterated that the public’s role should be limited to providing credible information rather than engaging in guesswork.

As the days pass, the focus remains on locating Nancy Guthrie and ensuring her safe return. The release of the surveillance footage has broadened public awareness, but it has also underscored the complexity of the case.

For Nancy’s family, each new development carries both hope and anxiety. For investigators, every frame of video, every tip, and every lead represents a possible step closer to answers. And for the broader community, the case serves as a stark reminder of how quickly ordinary life can be disrupted—and how vital cooperation and credible information are in moments of crisis.

For now, the search continues.