By Isabella Simonetti

Authorities investigating Nancy Guthrie's disappearance have made "substantial progress," FBI Director Kash Patel said during an interview with Fox News on Tuesday night.

Earlier Tuesday, law enforcement released photos and video of a masked individual appearing to tamper with the camera at Guthrie's front door on the morning of her disappearance.

The new photos and video footage represent the most significant development so far in a case that has commanded the country's attention with few public answers. Guthrie, 84, the mother of "Today" co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, was first reported missing on Feb. 1.

Patel and the Pima County Sheriff's department said the individual in the footage was armed, according to statements posted Tuesday on X . The person is wearing gloves, a backpack and a mask exposing only their eyes and mouth.

Patel told Fox News that he believes authorities are looking at persons of interest in the case.

Patel posted videos on X of the individual approaching the doorstep of Guthrie's Arizona home. In the footage, the person appears to grab foliage from outside the home and hold it up to the camera, obscuring its view.

Authorities said they have been working with "private sector partners" to recover lost footage or images, and that it was "recovered from residual data located in backend systems." Patel urged anyone with information to reach out to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, which has offered a $50,000 reward for information leading to Guthrie's recovery, or to arrests or convictions related to her disappearance.

President Trump, who has expressed a personal interest in the case, has reviewed the new images, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said at a briefing on Tuesday.

"I will reiterate that the prayers of this entire White House are with Savannah and her family at this time, and we hope this person is found soon, and that her mother is brought home safely," Leavitt said.

Asked about Trump's reaction to the new photos, Leavitt replied: "His initial reaction, of course, as all Americans, is just pure disgust...it's heartbreaking to see."

Savannah Guthrie has made multiple appeals on her Instagram page, both to whomever may have taken her mother and to the public. She urged people Monday to help in the search for her mother, saying, "We are at an hour of desperation."

On Tuesday she posted a new message: "Someone out there recognizes this person. We believe she is still out there. Bring her home."

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Write to Isabella Simonetti at isabella.simonetti@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

February 10, 2026 21:54 ET (02:54 GMT)

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