Houston forensic artist Lois Gibson has released a composite sketch of the man believed to have abducted 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie, as the investigation into her disappearance enters its third week.
Gibson, a longtime former Houston Police Department sketch artist who has been credited with helping identify hundreds of suspects over her career, said she created the drawing after reviewing surveillance footage made public by the FBI.
The footage shows a masked and armed individual approaching Guthrie’s Tucson, Arizona, home in the early morning hours of February 1.
According to Gibson, the suspect may have a wide head shape, thick eyebrows, medium-length dark hair and a goatee.
She emphasized that much of the face was covered by a ski mask in the video and acknowledged that portions of the sketch required interpretation.
“I guessed at the parts of the face covered with the ski mask,” Gibson wrote when sharing the image publicly.
She noted that the eyes and portions of the lips and mustache area were the only features somewhat visible in the footage released by authorities.
The FBI has not issued its own composite sketch but has described the suspect as a male approximately 5 feet 9 inches to 5 feet 10 inches tall with an average build.
The agency previously released doorbell camera footage showing the individual wearing gloves, a backpack and a holstered firearm outside Nancy Guthrie’s home.
Nancy Guthrie, the mother of “Today” show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, was last seen alive on January 31 after being dropped off at her residence by her son-in-law, Tommaso Cioni.
She was reported missing the following day when she failed to attend a regularly scheduled church viewing with a friend. Investigators have stated they believe she was abducted from her home.
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos has said the case is being treated as a suspected kidnapping.
The FBI, under the direction of FBI Director Kash Patel, is assisting local authorities and has increased the reward for information leading to Nancy Guthrie’s recovery and the arrest and conviction of those responsible.
The investigation has included the recovery of DNA evidence from the property that authorities say does not belong to anyone known to be in close contact with Nancy Guthrie. That evidence has been sent for laboratory analysis.
Law enforcement has also followed up on thousands of public tips and conducted multiple detentions, though no arrests have been announced in connection with the abduction.
Lois Gibson’s independent release of the sketch has drawn both support and criticism, as it was not formally commissioned by law enforcement.
However, Gibson has defended her decision, stating that her goal is to assist in bringing Nancy Guthrie home safely.
As of this weekend, authorities continue to rely heavily on public assistance and forensic analysis while urging anyone with relevant information to come forward.
The search for Nancy Guthrie remains active, and investigators have reiterated that the case is ongoing.
