US anchor Savannah Guthrie’s mother was allegedly kidnapped from her home in Tucson, Arizona, on January 31
A woman claiming to be the mother-in-law of a man detained in connection with the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie has denied he had any involvement in the case.
Law enforcement officers detained an individual for questioning during a traffic stop in Rio Rico, Arizona, on February 10. The town is located about 60 miles south of Tucson, near the United States–Mexico border. Authorities have not confirmed the name of the person detained and have not formally identified a suspect.
Speaking to CNN, a woman who identified herself as Josefina said the detained individual is her son-in-law. She rejected suggestions that he was connected to the disappearance of the 84-year-old.
“They had somebody give a tip that the lady was in my house,” she said. “I told them you can go in and search my house. There is nobody there. I have nothing to hide.”
Josefina also alleged that authorities were “invading” her property and “taking a lot of pictures” during the investigation.
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department confirmed it was “conducting a court-authorized search” of the detained person’s home, according to Tucson news outlet KOLD. Officials have not disclosed further details about the search or any evidence recovered.
FBI Director Kash Patel stated on Tuesday that investigators are seeking more than one person of interest in the case. Nancy Guthrie has not yet been located.
The FBI is urging anyone with information to contact 1-800-CALL-FBI or the Pima County Sheriff’s Office on 520-351-4900. A reward of $50,000 is being offered for information leading to Nancy Guthrie’s whereabouts or the arrest of her alleged kidnapper.
