The images were made public more than eight days after Nancy Guthrie vanished from her home in Tucson, Arizona. Authorities believe she was taken against her will during the night of 31 January.
In a statement posted on X, FBI director Kash Patel said investigators had uncovered “previously inaccessible” footage showing an armed individual appearing to tamper with the front-door camera at the Guthrie home on the morning of her disappearance.
“Law enforcement has been working to recover images from the home surveillance system that may have been lost, corrupted, or rendered inaccessible,” Patel said, adding that this may have been due to the removal of recording devices.
The FBI also released two short black-and-white videos showing the suspect approaching the front door, checking the camera and then using vegetation to cover the lens before leaving. In the footage, the individual appears to be wearing gloves and a zipped sweater, and at one point holds what looks like a small flashlight between their teeth.
Savannah Guthrie shared the footage on Instagram, renewing her appeal for information. “Someone out there recognises this person,” she wrote. “We believe she is still out there. Bring her home.”
Authorities described the release of the images as the first major breakthrough in a case that has gripped the country for more than a week. As of Monday, police said they had not identified any suspects or vehicles linked to the disappearance.
Investigators say the home’s doorbell camera was disconnected at 01:47 local time, with motion detected shortly after, at 02:12. At 02:28, the app connected to Nancy Guthrie’s pacemaker disconnected from her phone. Police have also confirmed that blood found on the porch belonged to her.
The FBI is offering a reward of up to $50,000 (£36,000) for information leading to her recovery.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said President Donald Trump had reviewed the footage and urged anyone with information to contact authorities. “The prayers of this entire White House are with Savannah and her family,” she said.
Officials are also investigating several ransom emails sent to US media outlets, including one that set a Monday deadline. A previous Bitcoin ransom demand expired on 5 February. Authorities have said they are taking the messages seriously, although one arrest has already been made in connection with a hoax ransom note.
The Guthrie family has said it believes Nancy Guthrie is still alive and has indicated it would be willing to pay for her safe return.
